Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

Using Antihistamines for Infants

Infant Antihistamine Types, Effectiveness, and Safety

Oct 28, 2009 Kristeen Mandak

Antihistamines were once thought to be helpful to infants who suffered from cold symptoms. However, as of 2006, their usage in infants has come under scrutiny.

The use of antihistamines for infants came into question publicly in 2006 due to their side effects. As of January 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that children under the age of two should not take cold and cough medicines until the safety of such drugs is reviewed. Antihistamine is an ingredient in certain types of such medications. Parents should ask their child's pediatrician before administering drugs containing antihistamines to infants.

The Facts

Antihistamines are a common ingredient in over-the-counter and prescription medications for allergies, colds and coughs. Antihistamines are often combined with other ingredients in such medications. They are designed to help relieve sneezing and runny nose, and curtail mucous production in the nose. The most common side effect of antihistamines is drowsiness.

Types of Antihistamines

Over-the-counter medications with antihistamine marketed for infants include Pediacare Cough and Cold Liquid, Robitussin Pediatric Night Relief Liquid, Triaminic Night Time Liquid, Vick’s Pediatric Formula 44M, and Vick’s Children’s NyQuil. All of these medicines are labeled as being recommended for infants six months and older. Also, these drugs contain decongestants.

Over-Dosage

The most common danger in the administration of antihistamines to infants is an accidental overdose. This often occurs as a result of mixing more than one type of medication that contains antihistamines. Also, a parent might give their infant too much medication by mistake. Since infants are more sensitive to such increases in medication, the side effects are more dangerous than in adults. According to the FDA, an overdose in such medications can result in convulsions, increases in heart rate, unconsciousness or even death.

Lack of Effectiveness

The FDA made its recommendation to not give such medications to infants, due in part to their finding that these drugs do not have any effects on children under the age of two. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) stated in June of 2008 that they do not recommend cold and cough medications for children under the age of six due to side effects and a lack of effectiveness. A lack of effectiveness of medications that contain antihistamines may correlate with the danger of over-dosage; if the medicine is not working in an infant, a parent may mistakenly give them more when it is not needed.

Prevention/Solution

Babyzone recommends that parents ought to use natural alternatives for an infant’s cold and allergy symptoms instead of using medication. First, prevent colds in the first place by limiting the baby’s exposure to people who are sick. The home should always be kept clean and common areas need to be regularly disinfected, such as the kitchen and bathroom. If an infant has a stuffy nose, use a humidifier in her bedroom and remove mucous out of her nose with a bulb syringe. Make sure she gets plenty of rest and fluids. Parents should call their pediatrician if conditions worsen.

The copyright of the article Using Antihistamines for Infants in General Medicine is owned by Kristeen Mandak. Permission to republish Using Antihistamines for Infants in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Cross 1