Table 1 Safety profile of representative second generation H1 antihistamines indicated for urticaria in children.
From: The safety and tolerability profile of bilastine for chronic urticaria in children
| Â | Bilastine | Cetirizine | Desloratadine | Fexofenadine | Levocetirizine | Loratadine | Rupatadine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Properties | |||||||
 Paediatric indication | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 T1/2 (h) | 14.5, any age | 10, in adults 6.1–7.1, in children over 4 years 5.5, in children under 4 years | 27, any age | 11–15, any age | 7.9, in adults In children 6–11 years 24% shorter than in adults | 8.4, any age | 5.9 in adults 15.9, in children 2–5 years 12.3, in children 6–11 years |
 Dosage adjustment in impaired kidney function | No | In moderate to severe | In severe impairment | No | In moderate to severe | No | Not recommended in renal impairment |
 Dosage adjustment in impaired hepatic function | No | If concomitant renal dysfunction | Not mentioned | No | If concomitant renal dysfunction | In severe disease | Not recommended in hepatic impairment |
 Interaction with food | Yes, give on empty stomacha | No | No | Not mentioned | No | No | With grapefruit |
 Clinically relevant drug interactions | No | No | No | Yes, antacids | No available data | Potential (with inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6) | Yes, with CYP3A4 inhibitors |
 Lack of sedative potential | Yes (caution, drowsiness) | Yes (in adult, check drug response when intending to drive) | Yes (caution, drowsiness) | Yes (impairment is unlikely) | Yes (in adult, check drug response when intending to drive) | Yes (caution, drowsiness) | Yes (caution, drowsiness) |
 Contraindications (except hypersensitivity) | None | Severe renal impairment | None | None | Severe renal impairment | None | None |