The best children's allergy medicines are generally non-drowsy oral antihistamines such as cetirizine (Children’s Zyrtec), loratadine (Children’s Claritin), and fexofenadine (Children’s Allegra). These are commonly recommended because they effectively relieve allergy symptoms with minimal sedation and are suitable for children aged 2 years and older
. Top options include:
- Children’s Zyrtec (Cetirizine): Often considered the safest and most effective for kids, providing 24-hour relief from indoor and outdoor allergens. It is available in syrup, chewable, and dissolvable tablets for children 2 years and older. Common side effects may include drowsiness, headache, and nausea
- Children’s Claritin (Loratadine): A non-drowsy option suitable for children 2 years and older. It is effective for seasonal allergies and available in syrup and chewable tablets. Side effects can include fatigue and dry mouth
- Children’s Allegra (Fexofenadine): Suitable for children 6 years and older, Allegra is another non-drowsy antihistamine that helps with allergy symptoms. Side effects may include headache and dizziness
- Children’s Benadryl (Diphenhydramine): Effective for short-term relief and more severe allergic reactions, but it causes drowsiness and is generally recommended for children over 6 years old or under doctor supervision for younger kids
Additional options:
- Nasal sprays like Nasacort (triamcinolone) and Astepro (azelastine) can help with nasal congestion and are suitable for children 2 years and older, but should be used under pediatric guidance
- For long-term allergy management, sublingual immunotherapy may be considered but requires medical supervision
Summary:
Medicine| Age Range| Formulations| Key Benefits| Common Side Effects
---|---|---|---|---
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)| 2 years and up| Syrup, chewable, tabs| Non-drowsy,
24-hour relief| Drowsiness, headache, nausea
Loratadine (Claritin)| 2 years and up| Syrup, chewable| Non-drowsy, once daily
dosing| Fatigue, dry mouth
Fexofenadine (Allegra)| 6 years and up| Tablets, liquid| Non-drowsy,
effective| Headache, dizziness
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)| 6 years and up (doctor advised for younger)|
Liquid, chewables| Quick relief, sedating| Drowsiness, agitation
For children with specific symptoms like wheezing or severe allergies, combination treatments including asthma inhalers may be necessary, and consultation with a pediatrician is advised
. In conclusion, cetirizine (Children’s Zyrtec) is often ranked as the top choice for children's allergy relief due to its effectiveness and safety profile, followed closely by loratadine and fexofenadine
. Always consult a pediatrician before starting any allergy medication for your child.
