Accidental cetirizine poisoning in a four-year-old boy
Hansen, J.J.; Feilberg Jørgensen, N.H.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 160(41): 5946-5947
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 9786037 Document Number: 489765
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.