A 5-year-old child with seasonal allergies has been taking 2.5 mL ...

[LCritchfi]

A 5-year-old child with seasonal allergies has been taking 2.5 mL of cetirizine (Zyrtec) syrup once daily. The parents tell the nurse that the child does not like the syrup, and they do not think that the drug is effective.
 
  The nurse will suggest they discuss which drug with their child's healthcare provider?
  a. Cetirizine (Zyrtec) 5 mg chewable tablet once daily
  b. Loratadine (Claritin) 10 mg chewable tablet once daily
  c. Fexofenadine (Allegra) syrup 5 mL twice daily
  d. Desloratadine (Clarinex) 5 mg rapid-disintegrating tablet once daily

Question 2

A patient will begin taking fexofenadine (Allegra) for hay fever. The nurse teaching this patient will tell the patient that:
 
  a. fexofenadine should be taken with food to prevent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
  b. the medication may be taken once or twice daily.
  c. tolerance to sedation will occur in a few weeks.
  d. with renal impairment, this drug should be taken every other day.

[ultraflyy23]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The child is receiving a low dose of cetirizine and can receive up to 5 mg per day in either a single dose or two divided doses. Cetirizine is available in a chewable tablet, which this child may tolerate better, so the parents should be encouraged to explore this option with their provider. The loratadine 10 mg chewable tablet is approved for children 6 years and older. Fexofenadine would be safe for this child, but it is unlikely that the syrup would be any better than the cetirizine syrup. Desloratadine is not approved for children under the age of 12 years.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Fexofenadine may be given 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily. Fexofenadine does not need to be given with food. Sedation is not a common side effect of fexofenadine. There is no caution to reduce the dosage or increase the dosing interval in patients with renal impairment who take fexofenadine.

[LCritchfi]

Thank you!

[ultraflyy23]

Always glad to help...