Expert: David Olson, MD - 1/4/2007

Question
hi my son is 5 months old and the doctor he has perscribed zertec but  i have been reading thru information it says that they give this medication to children who are 6 moths and over can i still give this medication to my son? i have not yet given it to him.

Answer
Hi,  Angelica,

Zyrtec is like a lot of medicines, not tested fully in kids under 6 months old.  The FDA therefore can't give official approval to this.  It is a safe antihistamine that is commonly used in 5 month olds, especially if a more conventional medicine like Benadryl or another antihistamine hasn't worked or is having side effects that are objectionable.  Personally I try one of these other meds first, but some go right to the prescription medicine, even though it is a lot more expensive.  It is safe.

Good luck, Dr. Olson