4.5 year old may have been given 5ml instead of 2.5ml of piriton

[Mum0186]

Hi
I'm not sure if this is the case 100%. I asked my mum if she had given him his piriton and I said just the little spoon and she said yes but now because I double checked it was the small spoon she’s doubting herself but is positive it was the 2.5ml spoon. My heads now going into overdrive reading google. It’s been over 3 hours since he’s had it and no drowsiness, heart rate is 101 which seems to be normal for his age (80-120bpm) he is being his normal self. Any advice?

I think he should be fine if it was 3 hrs ago with no obvious drowsiness but for proper medical advice it’s best to ring 111 as they will be able to fully assess.

The dose they can safely have is higher than what is on the box. My DC was under consultant paeds allergy clinic and when symptoms showed they said give him twice the dose on the box. And it sounds unlikely that your DC had the higher dose. I wouldn't worry about it but I understand why you are.

Thank you both, was it Piriton your child was taking too? And were they a similar age? I know myself he is ok, he’s acting no differently but the worry is still there.

I know you’re anxious, so check on them regularly to reassure yourself. If it helps, my little one (4-5yrs) was prescribed a similar product from the Drs with the hope it made them drowsy (eczema made them itch all night) and they said 7.5ml was okay if they really needed it to get them off to sleep. Yes it made them drowsy, but this was a key purpose of the prescription and the Dr saw that a good thing in this case. There were no implications for my little one. Not something I’d advise people to do as it was a particular antihistamine prescribed by the Drs, but wanted to share with you to help reassure you.

I was told I can give my dd 4x dose of non drowsy antihistamines. However, piriton (if not piritize is drowsy). I'd probably call 111 unless he is absolutely fine and wide awake.

But generally i wouldn't worry if he seems fine and it's a one off.

They can usually have slightly more than the box dose of anything and actually be okay (a doctor told me after my son swigged calpol) I also got the go ahead to give piriton to a baby when they were under the age on the box so that also reassured me that the box isn’t completely the line always

Did they exceed the total dose for the day? The Dr's made a mistake on dds prescription of an antihistamine but because the school kept forgetting to administer it she didnt exceed the daily dose so she was fine (she was four as well)

Standard strength of Piriton syrup is 2mg chlorphenamine per 5 ml. Prescribable dose of chlorphenamine for a 4 year old is 2.5mg. So unless you have an unusual strength of piriton, he’s had less than the dose that a doctor would prescribe.

This would be for IV chlorphenamine. Oral is 1mg.
It has a short half life, so would think it’s likely to be fine if no signs of drowsiness etc, but if concerned then as always ring 111 for official medical advice and keep a close eye for the next couple of hours.

It is Piriton 1+ allergy syrup. Prescribed for itching. If he has had 5 ml it would mean a total of 10ml today, daily dose is 15ml it says.

He is totally fine not drowsy, eating and snacking. Being his normal self.

I think I will keep an eye on him for now as there is no signs just that panic set in and what Google was saying was making my mind go crazy. I’m guessing he would be drowsy at least. Thank you everyone :)

The box says 2mg per 5ml. It says he should get 2.5ml every 4-6 hours not exceeding 15ml in 24hrs

I think i did this once. Was fine. Just keep an eye

That’s embarrassing! Must have scrolled through too fast. Thanks.