Side Effects of Antihisthamines in Infants

Side Effects

• Antihistamines tend to make a baby drowsy and sleepy, but some of these drugs have also been known to have the opposite effect, instead making children overly excited or agitated. Other side effects of sedating antihistamines can include headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, and blurred vision. In rare cases, they may lead to irregular heart rhythms, allergic reactions, high blood pressure, dizziness, disturbed sleep, convulsions, or confusion. Although antihistamines are readily available over the counter, many manufacturers warn against giving them to children under 2 years of age.

Cold Medicines

• You may have heard the American Academy of Pediatrics' warning that children under 6 years of age should not be given cough and cold medicines due to possible harmful effects and because these medications have not been proven to work in young children. You might not know, however, that antihistamines are one of the medicine types that fall under the category of cough and cold drugs, and they are found in many cold remedies for relief of runny noses and sneezing. Do not give cough or cold medicines to your baby unless specifically instructed by your doctor.

Nursing Moms

• You should also speak with your child's doctor if you are planning to take antihistamines yourself while breast-feeding. Antihistamines may reduce milk supply or cause your nursing baby to become drowsy or fussy. Nonsedating antihistamines (commonly found in "daytime" formulas of over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines) are less likely to make your baby sleepy, but always check with your doctor before taking any type of medication.

Not a Sleep Aid

• Some doctors have been known to recommend certain antihistamines to help children and babies get to sleep, but antihistamines may not help children sleep and may even cause overexcitement and hyperactivity. A report published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that diphenhydramine (an anthistamine commonly available in many brand-name and store-brand formulations) was more likely to keep children awake than to help them sleep. Although diphenhydramine has a tendency to make adults feel drowsy, remember that the drug works differently in a child's body.

A Prescription Alternative

• If your baby seems to be suffering from allergy symptoms, you should speak with your pediatrician before experimenting with any treatments at home. Antihistamines come in different types and carry different recommendations for their use, so making such an important decision can become confusing without advice from a professional. Fortunately for young allergy sufferers, the Food and Drug Administration recently approved cetirizine, a prescription antihistamine, for allergy treatment in babies 6 months and up. Cetirizine is the first antihistamine product found to be safe for young babies through clinical trials and may be an excellent option if your infant suffers from chronic allergies.