Claritin Side Effects with Toddlers

D.,
YES! My son has done the same stuff which was unusual behavior for him. I even tried it and OMG I couldn't believe how strange I felt and that was a child's dosage. I took him off it immediately and went to see an ENT/allergy specialist. He prescribed Zyrtec 10mg which is now available OTC in two child dosages, the 10mg and a lower one for younger children. Available at Costco. He also prescribed and eye drop for his eyes because his eyes bulge when his allergies are really bad.
Since going with the Zyrtec a year ago, we haven't had any behavioral issues.

Good luck.

My son (28 months) became very wired and hyper while taking Claritin. Also he could not sleep even 6-8 hours after a single does. I have since switched to Zyrtec and he has calmed down and has no adverse side effects. He loves taking it, and it seems to take care of our allergy issues the same as Claritin. It is worth a try and good luck!

I wouldn't give a child Claritin. I would try something else for allergies. There is a good homeopathic medicine for allergies I think it is called Sabadil...or something like that. Homeopathic medicine (like the teething pills) are much safer for a baby, but ask your doctor what is alright.

Go to a naturopath. They have solutions that don't include drugs and are much healthier for everybody. You can ask people around you who they recommend. I know three great ones here in teh North Seattle area.

I've never given clartin to my kids but if his behavior is worse with this medicine then I would take him off of it and maybe try another allergy medication such as benadryl. Hope this helps and good luck. Ask his doctor though>

Claritin has an upper in it so you won't get drowsy.

I haven't had experience with a toddler, but I personally nearly died from taking it. I say this only as a warning to everyone considering it please make sure the first dose is taken in the presence of a medical professional and remains there for at least 30 minutes to check for side effects.

As for your son I recommend checking his Potassium level, give him a banana. Sometimes medications leech potassium from the body, a lack of potassium can cause violent mood swings. My great grandmother's potassium level dropped low and she started swearing so badly that a sailor would've blushed. She also started hitting and spitting. A banana a day later she was back to her sweet self, turned out her potassium level was low.

Sounds like your son could definitely be having a reaction to the medicine. The first and easiest thing to do would be to take him off the medicine and monitor him for a few weeks to see if his behavior goes back to normal. If it does, then you will know. Also, I suggest taking your son to a Naturopath. He seems awfully young to have to be put on medication in the first place. Why not try some natural alternatives first? You'd be surprised how well it can work and the added bonus: no side effects and nothing harmful to your son. Hope this helps!

Did his doctor recommend Claritin? All those types of drugs have an adverse affect on my heartbeat and makes me act abnormally and I'm mid-30's.

My son has been taking claritan for over 2 years. He has a perscription that I fill at the pharmacy. They change the dosage each time. do to the hight and wieght changes. I only give it to him once a day and in the morning. I have not seen any changes in his behavior. This stuff helps him breath, he is hight alergic to the Pine (fur) trees.

YOu might talk to your sons doctor and let them know what is happening. They may give him something else.

You should always consult a doctor when giving a young child any over the counter meds.

My granddaughter has taken Clariton and I don't remember that she had a change in her behavior specifically to Clariton. Both her pediatrician and her allergist said that some children do react to these meds by becoming "hyper" but once their system gets used to it they'll slow down.

From my experience over several years I've noticed that I feel tense and somewhat agitated for the first week or two. After that life goes back to normal and I continue to take the meds.
I can understand that a toddler could respond to this feeling of tension by hitting and throwing. But his system should get used to it and he'll be alright.

Hitting, throwing is also common at this age. I suggest that his behavior could be a combination of both. If Clariton relieves his symptoms I'd stick with it for a couple of weeks and see if he does adjust.

Our daughter has allergies and cough variant asthma which are a double whammy. She reacts really bad to Zyrtec (acts out, mean, anxious), no relief on singular and does really well on a half kids dose of Claritin because a full dose makes her really tired and sleepy. We also realized that her night terrors, fear and anxiety were caused by montelukast which is used for asthma and allergies. One time she had a cold and her allergist said it would be ok to give her a full dose of the Claritin, well that night she woke up with one of the worse bouts of terrors we have ever experienced. We have sadly learned through trial and error that all these meds come with side effects. What scares me is that the docs don't warn parents about these side effects and what to look out for. Sometimes I feel like the cure is worse that the disease. We are beginning to work with a naturopath that will hopefully help us combine eastern and western modalities. Good luck mamas.

My daughter had a similar reaction to her SECOND dose of any cold medicine, and I have been told that's an allergic reaction (a reaction significantly different from what's expected). She could have one dose and be fine, but the second made her hyperactive and agitated. Maybe this gives you some direction. Nutritional supplements help me with my allergies so I don't need to take as much medicine. Good luck!

I'd definitely check into allergies with what is in the Claritin. All my kids have food allergies (milk, rice, almonds, soy, food coloring, eggs, bananas, etc.-- depends on the child)that show up in rashes, tummy aches and behavior (depending on what was consumed and how much there was of it). Often it is a cumulative thing -- a little of one thing is okay, but if it's added to a little of a couple other things, then there's a reaction (i.e.: hard time obeying, feisty, agitated, diaper rash, tummy ache). My kids are 11, 8 and 3 y.o. Good for you for checking this out.