Hydroxyzine provides both powerful antihistamine effects and gentle sedation, making it uniquely helpful when allergies are causing significant distress or sleep disruption. Understanding proper administration ensures your child gets both effective allergy relief and appropriate calming effects.
6 months and older
10 mg/5 mL (2 mg/mL)
Cherry or grape flavored - Good - most children accept readily palatability
School-age children who can swallow pills
10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg tablets
Uncoated - bitter taste - Poor if chewed - must swallow whole palatability
Older children and teens
25 mg, 50 mg (pamoate salt)
No taste if swallowed whole - Excellent if child can swallow capsules palatability
Double-check you have hydroxyzine (not another antihistamine) and confirm the prescribed dose. Ensure the dose doesn't exceed 2 mg/kg/day total.
Safety Note: Never exceed 2 mg/kg/day due to cardiac arrhythmia risk
Use the measuring device that comes with the medication or a pharmacy-provided oral syringe. Kitchen spoons are not accurate enough.
Safety Note: Accurate measurement is critical - even small overdoses can cause serious sedation
Shake the bottle vigorously for 10-15 seconds before each dose. Some ingredients may settle between uses.
Safety Note: Inadequate mixing can lead to uneven dosing
Draw liquid slowly into syringe or pour carefully into measuring cup. Check dose at eye level. For tablets, use only prescribed number - never break or crush.
Safety Note: Even slight overdoses can cause excessive sedation in children
Child should be upright or semi-upright to prevent choking. For liquid, place oral syringe at inside of cheek, not directly down throat.
Safety Note: Never give medication to a lying-down child due to aspiration risk
For liquid, push syringe plunger slowly, allowing child to swallow between small amounts. For tablets/capsules, offer with plenty of water.
Safety Note: Too-rapid administration can cause choking or spitting out
Method: Oral syringe to inside of cheek
Positioning: Upright in parent's lap or feeding position
Method: Small dosing cup or oral syringe
Positioning: Sitting upright in highchair or parent's lap
Method: Medicine cup or tablets if able to swallow
Positioning: Sitting at table or in comfortable chair
Method: Tablets or capsules with water
Positioning: Sitting upright at table
Consider calling your pediatrician if this issue persists
Consider calling your pediatrician if this issue persists
Consider calling your pediatrician if this issue persists
Consider calling your pediatrician if this issue persists
Temperature: Room temperature (68-77°F) for tablets; some liquid formulations require refrigeration
Stability: Tablets stable for full expiration date; liquid formulations vary - check label
Risk: Risk of dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities
Prevention: Calculate total daily dose carefully and never exceed limit
Risk: Dangerous level of sedation, breathing difficulties
Prevention: Always tell healthcare providers about ALL medications child is taking
Risk: Inaccurate dosing can cause under-treatment or overdose
Prevention: Always use pharmacy-provided measuring device or oral syringe
The 2 mg/kg/day limit is an absolute cardiac safety ceiling - never exceed regardless of symptom severity
Hydroxyzine converts to cetirizine in the body, explaining why antihistamine effects last longer than sedating effects
Recent studies suggest limiting use in preschool children due to potential associations with tics and behavioral issues
Liquid formulation reaches peak effect 30-45 minutes faster than tablets - important for strategic timing
You're providing excellent care by giving hydroxyzine thoughtfully and safely. Remember that the drowsiness is often helpful for children who are too itchy or anxious to rest. By timing doses strategically and staying within safe limits, you're helping your child get both effective allergy relief and the rest they need to feel better.