Antihistamines include first-generation medications that have a sedating effect, and newer non-sedating types. Symptoms of an overdose when taking sedating medication can vary but may include:. Non-sedating antihistamine overdoses tend to be less toxic and less severe. Symptoms may include:. Sometimes, however, tachycardia can occur. This is when your resting heart rate is more than beats per minute. Symptoms of an overdose usually appear within six hours of taking too much antihistamine.
Your symptoms may start off mild and then gradually worsen over time. There have been reports of death due to antihistamine toxicity. These include accidental overdoses and intentional misuse. Death can occur when an overdose causes severe complications such as respiratory distress , cardiac arrest , or seizures. However, toxicity usually occurs when a person ingests three to five times the recommended dosage. To avoid life-threatening complications, call or go to the emergency room if you have any symptom of an overdose.
You can also call the Poison Control Help Line at Antihistamine overdose treatment focuses on stabilizing your health and providing supportive care. It comes as tablets, capsules and as a liquid that you swallow. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? It's usual to take cetirizine once a day. Children aged under 12 take it twice a day. Cetirizine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, but some people still find it makes them feel quite sleepy.
Common side effects include headaches, dry mouth, feeling sick, dizziness and diarrhoea. Some brands of cetirizine come as capsules. These may contain soya oil. Do not take cetirizine capsules if you are allergic to peanuts or soya. Some Benadryl products do not contain cetirizine, but a different antihistamine such as acrivastine.
Most adults can take cetirizine. Children Children aged 1 and over can take cetirizine liquid if prescribed by their doctor. Children aged 2 and over can take cetirizine liquid bought from pharmacies or prescribed by their doctor.
Children aged 6 and over can take cetirizine tablets and liquid that you buy from pharmacies and supermarkets. Children aged 12 and over can take cetirizine capsules, tablets and liquid that you buy from pharmacies and supermarkets. Who may not be able to take cetirizine Cetirizine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to cetirizine or any other medicine have an allergy to food additives have an allergy to peanuts or soya have kidney failure have epilepsy or another health problem that puts you at risk of having seizures or fits have a condition that means you have difficulty peeing are due to have an allergy test — taking cetirizine may affect the results, so you might need to stop taking it a few days before the test.
The usual dose for adults is 10mg once a day. Doses are usually lower for people with kidney problems. Children For children between 6 to 11 years of age, the usual dose is 5mg, twice a day. Try to leave 10 to 12 hours between doses. So, one first thing in the morning, and one before bedtime. For children between 2 to 5 years of age, the dose is 2. For children between 1 to 2 years of age, your doctor will use their weight or age to work out the right dose.
How to take it You can take cetirizine with or without food, but always take the tablets or capsules with a drink of water, milk or squash. When to take it You may only need to take cetirizine on a day you have symptoms — for example, if you have been in contact with something that has triggered your allergy, like animal hair.
What if I forget to take it? Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten dose. What if I take too much? Common side effects The most common side effect of cetirizine is feeling sleepy and tired. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away: headaches dry mouth feeling sick nausea feeling dizzy diarrhoea sore throat sneezing or blocked and runny nose Children are more likely to get diarrhoea, sneezing or a blocked and runny nose than adults.
Serious side effects It's rare to have a serious side effect with cetirizine. Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to cetirizine. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about : feeling sleepy and tired — try a different non-drowsy antihistamine. If this does not help, talk to your doctor.
It's best not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller for your headaches, but they usually go away after the first week of taking cetirizine.
Talk to your doctor if your headaches last longer than a week or are severe. It may also help if you stick to simple meals and avoid rich or spicy food. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machines if you feel dizzy or a bit shaky.
A typical dose for adults and children age 6 or older is one 10 milligram mg tablet, once daily. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: November 19, Side Effects. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have: fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat; weakness, tremors uncontrolled shaking , or sleep problems insomnia ; severe restless feeling, hyperactivity; confusion; problems with vision; or little or no urination.
Common side effects may include: drowsiness, tiredness; dizziness, feeling light-headed; feeling hot, sweating; numbness, tingling, burning pain; decreased sense of taste; headache; upset stomach, nausea, constipation; or dry mouth, sore throat. Based on FDA pregnancy categories.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking cetirizine. Cetirizine oral is taken by mouth. Use cetirizine oral exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Older adults may need to take a lower than normal dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.
If features of poisoning have not developed at 6 hours post-ingestion Normal GCS Normal ECG For intentional poisoning, a risk assessment should indicate that the child or young person is at low risk of further self harm in the discharge setting. Accidental ingestion: Parent information sheet from Victorian Poisons Information centre on the prevention of poisoning:. Intentional self—harm: Referral to local mental health services e. Orygen Youth Health: The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.
Antihistamine poisoning. This guideline has been adapted for statewide use with the support of the Victorian Paediatric Clinical Network. See also Poisoning — acute guidelines for initial management Resuscitation Anticholinergic Poisoning Key Points The majority of antihistamine poisonings will only require supportive care. Large overdoses of H1 Antihistamines are associated with cardiac arrhythmia and may require close monitoring and specific treatment.
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