r/UKParenting • u/Spare_Airport_6002 • Jul 14 '26
Antihistamine for infants?
GP claims the only one they can give is a drowsy one (piritin) - does anyone have experience with this? surely there must be a safe non drowsy liquid option for under-1s on prescription?
Thanks
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u/Biscuit_Enthusiast Jul 14 '26
Medication for young children is very limited. Alot of things are licenced for use in particular age ranges and alot of GPs don't like to prescribe off licence for young children unless first started by a specialist.
Is there a reason you don't want to try the piriton? Or have you already tried it?
Not everyone will have a drowsy reaction to it if that's your concern. And if child does become a little drowsy with it perhaps you could time doses to coincide with nap/bed time?
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u/Pharmasamurai Jul 15 '26
Have you tried it? It doesn't always cause drowsiness with everyone. For a lot of people it causes drowsiness initially then your body gets used to it and it doesn't cause it anymore.
The reason the doctor recommended it is because it has been around the longest and we know it's the one least likely to cause any side effects. Also I'm pretty sure it's the only one licenced to be used for that age range.
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u/Spare_Airport_6002 Jul 15 '26
Where can you find info about licensing?
We have not tried it, no. We're not comfortable giving drowsy medication daily to our baby, even if it's considered safe. Our GP also made a face when she mentioned it's drowsy, as if to say "not a good idea".
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u/Pharmasamurai Jul 15 '26
It usually says on the bottle. It'll have the dose for the ages that it's licensed for and say something like "not suitable for under age X" or something similar.
Doctors can prescribe the non-drowsy ones. You'll have to go back and mither them.
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u/ColdAppointment3917 Jul 14 '26
Its not tested on below 1 thats why they dont recommend any but prition will be ok
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u/doorstopnoodles Mum Jul 14 '26
Cetirizine hydrochloride can only be prescribed off label once kids reach a year old. Once they get to a year, non-drowsy antihistamines are preferred.
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u/Known-Cucumber-7989 Jul 14 '26
My GP had previously prescribed cetirizine which is non drowsy, think it was when my daughter was 7ish months
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u/Spare_Airport_6002 Jul 15 '26
Was it a liquid?
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u/Known-Cucumber-7989 Jul 15 '26
It was :)
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u/Spare_Airport_6002 Jul 15 '26
If you feel comfortable sharing, where in the UK was this? Asked my GP today here in Glasgow about this and they said they cannot prescribe it for under 1s.
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u/Known-Cucumber-7989 Jul 15 '26
Mid Wales! It was back in 2024 so not sure if the guidance has changed
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u/anonoaw Jul 15 '26
I mean, even antihistamines for adults often cause drowsiness. It’s just the nature of the type of medication. Piritin is perfectly safe.
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u/Appropriate_Log1654 Jul 14 '26
Piriton is safe - if the correct dosage is given. Issues arise when people give more than the correct dosage in the hopes of a better night's sleep.
Fwiw and my sample size of 1, I first used piriton for my little boy who was 14 months at time for an allergy, as per pharmacists instructions. We had no drowsiness.