This week we suggest the article recently published on "Archive of Diseases in Childhood - Education and Practice", Antihistamine Use in Children.

SUMMARY

H(1)-antihistamines are of major therapeutic value inthe management of allergic conditions and have been in use for 70 years. The second-generation (H)1-antihistamines have been available since the 1980s and should be used over first-generation (H) 1-antihistamines due to their more favourable side-effect profile, duration of action and safety record. While second-generation H(1)-antihistamines are preferable even for emergency medication in an allergic reaction, no parenteral formulation is available. Before treatment with any antihistamine is commenced, the child and family should be counselled in appropriate use, that is, age of licensed use, frequency and dosing, clinical effects and possible side effects, especially in the case of first-generation H(1)-antihistamines.

AUTHORS: Roisin Fitzsimons, Lauri-Ann van der Poel, William Thornhill, George du Toit, Neil Shah, Helen A. Brough

Click here to go to the article.