ABSTRACT

H1-receptor antagonists are widely used in the treatment of allergic disorders in children. The evidence base for their use is strongest in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (1) (Table 1). Most of the old, sedating first-generation H1-antagonists, although still commonly given to infants and children in many countries, have never been adequately studied in the pediatric population. In contrast, some of the new, relatively nonsedating second-generation H1-antagonists have been wellstudied in children, and are now available in pediatric dosage formulations. In this chapter, we review the clinical pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of H1antagonists in children, with special emphasis on the second-generation medications cetirizine, fexofenadine, and loratadine, and on the studies that have appeared since the first edition of this book was published (2).