Use of cetirizine in a 23-month-old male causes insomnia.

Allergic rhinitis affects approximately 40% of children and generally presents in children from 10-19 years of age; however, the condition has been seen in children as young as 6 months. Antihistamines are commonly prescribed in infants and children for the relief of allergic symptoms. A 23-month-old male with a history of chronic otitis media was prescribed cetirizine 2.5 mg daily at bedtime for maintenance of his chronic rhinitis symptoms. Several days into therapy, the child began experiencing frequent and progressive nighttime periods of awakening. Once treatment was discontinued, the child resumed his normal sleeping patterns.