Can I give my child antihistamines?

Why this happens

Children's brains and bodies are still developing. Their metabolism processes drugs at different speeds, and their central nervous system is more sensitive to the effects of these medicines, which can lead to unpredictable reactions.

What you should do

Always check the packaging or speak to a pharmacist to ensure the medicine is age-appropriate. For children under 6, do not give over-the-counter antihistamines for coughs and colds without a doctor's advice. Stick strictly to the recommended dose for the child's age and weight, and never use two different antihistamines at the same time (such as a hay fever syrup and an itch cream).

Important precautions

Children under 2 years old

Sedating antihistamines must not be given to children under 2 years old as they can cause life-threatening breathing difficulties (respiratory depression).

Drowsiness and hyperactivity

While these medicines usually cause drowsiness, they can sometimes cause 'paradoxical excitation' in children, making them unusually hyperactive, agitated, or unable to sleep.

Food and drink warnings

Fruit Juices (Grapefruit, Orange, Apple)

Do not drink grapefruit, orange, or apple juice while taking fexofenadine. These juices can significantly reduce the amount of medicine absorbed by your body, making it less effective at treating your symptoms. Wait at least 2 hours after taking the medicine before drinking these juices.

More about Fexofenadine (Allegra/Telfast)

High-fat meals

Taking fexofenadine with a meal that is very high in fat can reduce how much of the medicine your body absorbs. It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach or with a light snack.

Using other medicines

Taking multiple medicines? Our Medicines Interaction Checker helps you check whether your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements are safe to take together. Simply search for your medicines to see potential interactions and what to do about them.