Piriton for baby under 1 - is it safe?

[peacehaven]

My daughter is 8 months old and recently had a mild allergic reaction to eggs during weaning. I spoke to the GP who said it’s fine to try her again with a small amount of egg, but that I should get some Piriton to have on standby.

However, I’ve just googled Piriton and can see that on the packaging it says it’s suitable for children aged 12 months plus.

Is it definitely ok to give to an 8 month old do you know? I presume the dose would need to be lower than whatever is recommended for babies aged 12 months?

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure my youngest was prescribed piriton for similar reactions before they turned 1.

I thought your title said 'prison' not piriton

Could you ask the dr to call back and advise you further? Or ask in the pharmacy? Some medicine can be given younger than the packaging says, but only on drs advice.

My 8 month old takes an antihistamine because of CMPA/other underlying issues but we have to have prescribed by a GP as you can’t actually get it over the counter for under 1s.

yes its safe I gave to mine who had chicken pox

Assuming no allergies or other health conditions then over 1 month old can have 1mg twice a day.

Yes, my DS has a reaction a couple of months ago and the paramedics gave him piriton and said to do the same again if it happens again

Thanks everyone. I think I’ll pop to the pharmacy tomorrow to get it and ask them for advice about the dose.

Just be aware that it can cause awful constipation by drying out the bowel.

@endofthelinefinally oh no - thanks for the warning. Hopefully the reaction was a one off and she won’t even need it - we shall see.

She’s had eggs about 4-5 times before with no problems, so I was a bit surprised.

Yes it is fine, although technically I think the GP should be prescribing it for you as you're not meant to buy it over the counter for under 1's. The dose however is actually the same (2.5mls) as 1 year olds. My 8 month old has had to take it several times now due to allergic reactions. Also, incase GP didn't mention it, if you're trying eggs again then it might help to look at the egg ladder and work up that.

Thanks @monkeyted. Does that mean I won’t be allowed to buy it in the pharmacy then? I don’t especially want to go down there and queue if they won’t give it to me anyway!

No, the GP didn’t mention the egg ladder - I will take a look. DD has only had well-cooked scrambled eggs before but had a reaction to an omelette.

DS1 was prescribed Piriton by our GP when he was under 1 and we had no problems at all. You should have no issues buying it off the shelf either, I always have some handy.

Update - I’ve just called the pharmacy (I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before!) and they said they can’t give me the Piriton without a prescription because of my daughter’s age. So it’s back to the doctor!

I also was told to give my then 9 month old piriton by both the GP and A&E Dr. to alleviate allergic eczema related itchiness. 2.5mls twice a day.

Cetirizine is better, it's non-drowsy. The dose is 2.5ml. DD had it daily from seven months.

@peacehaven I think technically you are not meant to be able to purchase it for an under one, and it is meant to be given on prescription - however given that the GP will prescribe exactly the same thing you can buy over the counter, you could just tell them the baby is over one if they ask.

DS1 was prescribed piriton. It’s exactly the same bottle you can buy otc and the same dose for a child who is 12 months. Once prescribed once, the pharmacist was happy to sell it because their records showed it was being given on a doctor’s advice.

The gp told me it was perfectly fine for under 1s, just that it isn't licensed for such use so needs a prescription. However you could always just buy it if you can't wait for the prescription.

Thanks so much everyone. I got through to the doctor again and they’re going to send a prescription to the pharmacy. Got there in the end!

A warning from a mentally scarred parent here! My 6mo baby was prescribed Piriton for eczema. We gave it to him on the first night (which happened to be xmas eve) and he DID NOT SLEEP! All night! It was horrendous. I googled it and it is a side effect of giving it to young babies. Worst. Xmas. Ever.

One of mine was prescribed it at 6 months. The pharmacist said though when I collected it that only give it if definitely needed.

@itchyfinger

A warning from a mentally scarred parent here! My 6mo baby was prescribed Piriton for eczema. We gave it to him on the first night (which happened to be xmas eve) and he DID NOT SLEEP! All night! It was horrendous. I googled it and it is a side effect of giving it to young babies. Worst. Xmas. Ever.

For some reason people believe the myth that piriton makes babies sleep but it rarely does. Something the relief from what it’s being given for helps them to sleep but not the medication alone. More often than not it makes them hyperactive.

Somebody recommended phenergan for my bad sleeper. He was practically bouncing off the walls for the next 24 hours, and developed an allergy to orange colouring ( which was in phenergan syrup back then).