Related Experiment Videos
[Accidental cetirizine poisoning in a four-year-old boy]
J J Hansen1, N H Feilberg Jørgensen
1Odense Universitetshospital, børneafdeling H.
Insights
A four-year-old boy experienced a 12-fold overdose of cetirizine, a non-sedating antihistamine. He recovered within hours, showing only drowsiness, indicating a low risk of severe events from cetirizine overdose in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pharmacology
- Clinical Toxicology
Background:
- Cetirizine is a widely prescribed non-sedating antihistamine for allergies.
- Limited data exists on pediatric cetirizine overdose outcomes.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old boy (20 kg) ingested 60 mg of cetirizine (12x recommended dose).
- Severe drowsiness led to induced vomiting 1.5 hours post-ingestion.
- The child remained lethargic and was transferred for observation.
Findings:
- Full recovery occurred within 5-6 hours without specific treatment.
- Electrocardiographic monitoring remained normal throughout.
- Previous reports of pediatric cetirizine overdose also noted drowsiness/sedation without other adverse effects.
Implications:
- Pediatric cetirizine overdose appears to have a favorable prognosis.
- Significant sedation is an expected side effect.
- The risk of serious cardiac events from cetirizine overdose is minimal.
Abstract:
Cetirizine is a commonly used non-sedating antihistamine for the symptomatic relief of allergic reactions. Few reports exist on the result of overdose in children. We would like to report the result of a 12 fold overdose of cetirizine in a four-year-old-boy (weight 20 kg) who accidentally ingested 60 mg. Vomiting was induced 1 1/2 hour after ingestion in the out-patient clinic at the local hospital because of severe drowsiness. Due to continued lethargy he was transferred to the referral paediatric department for further observation. He was fully recovered after five to six hours without any treatment. Electrocardiographic monitoring was normal. Five incidents of cetirizine overdose in children have been reported previously. Drowsiness and sedation were observed, but no other side effects. The risk of cardiac events related to an overdose of cetirizine is extremely small. A certain degree of sedation is to be expected.