Antihistamines for Allergic Rhinitis

The following are over-the-counter antihistamines:


Non-sedating Antihistamine

Brand Name: Claritin (Non-Rx)

Content: Loratadine

Dosage: Tablet / Syrup Adult and Children 12 years old or more = 1 tablet or 2 teaspoons to be taken once a day

Syrup Children 2 – 12 years old more than 30 kg = 2 teaspoons to be taken once a day

Syrup Children 2 – 12 years old 30 kg or less = 1 teaspoon to be taken once a day

To be taken with or without food.

Packing: Tablet 10 mg x 100’s

Syrup 5mg/5mL x 30 mL

Brand Name: Clarihist (Non-Rx)

Content: Loratadine

Dosage: Adult Dose = 1 tablet to be taken once a day

To be taken with or without food. For patient with hepatic or renal impairment, take 1 tablet once every other day.

Packing: Tablet 10 mg x 100’s

Sedating antihistamines (Non-Rx)

Brand name: Dimetapp (Non-Rx)

Content: Per 5 mL Brompheniramine maleate 2mg , phenylephrine HCl 5mg

Dosage: Adult dose = 10mL (2 teaspoons) to be taken three times to four times a day.

Child dose 7-12 years old = 7.5mL (1 and ½ teaspoons) to be taken three times to four times a day.

Child dose 5-6 years old = 5mL (1 teaspoon) to be taken three times to four times a day.

Child dose 2-4 years old = 4mL to be taken three times to four times a day.

Maximum of 4-doses/ 24-hour period.

You can take this medicine with or without food.

Packing: Syrup 60mL Bottle

 Syrup 120 mL Bottle

Brand Name: Bioflu (Non-Rx)

Content: Phenylpropanolamine HCl 25mg, chlorphenamine maleate 2 mg, paracetamol 500mg

Dosage: Adult dose= 1 tablet every 6 hours with or without food.

Packing: Tablet x 10’s

Tablet x 100’s

Brand Name: Colvan Syrup / Colvan Drops (Non-Rx)

Content: Per 5 mL Colvan Syrup Chlorphenamine maleate 0.5mg, phenylpropanolamine HCl 12.5mg

Per 1 mL Colvan Drops Chlorphenamine maleate 0.25mg, phenylpropanolamine HCl 6.25 mg

Dosage: Colvan Syrup Adult dose = 2 teaspoons every 6 hours

Colvan Syrup Child Dose 7-12 years old = 1 teaspoon every 6 hours

Colvan Syrup Child Dose 2 – 6 years old = ½ teaspoon every 6 hours

Colvan Drops Child Dose 1 – 2 years old = 1 mL every 6 hours

Colvan  Drops Infant Dose 7-12 months old = 0.75 mL every 6 hours

Colvan Drops Infant Dose 4 – 6 months old = 0.5 mL every 6 hours

Colvan Drops Infant Dose 1 – 3 months old = 0.25 mL every 6 hours

To be taken with or without food.

Packing: Syrup 60 mL

Drops 10 mL

Brand Name: Congestril (Reformulated) (Non-Rx)

Content: Per Forte Capsule Chlorphenamine maleate 1mg, dextromethorphan HBr 15 mg, paracetamol 325 mg, phenylpropanolamine HCl 10 mg

Per 5mL Syrup Chlorphenamine maleate 1 mg, dextromethorphan HBr 15 mg, paracetamol 100 mg, phenylpropanolamineHCl 12.5 mg

Dosage: Forte Capsule Adult Dose = 1 capsule three to four times a day with or without food.

Syrup Adult Dose = 1-2 teaspoons (5 – 10 mL) to be taken three to four times a day.

Syrup Child Dose 6- 12 years old = 1 teaspoon (5 mL) three to four times a day.

Syrup Child Dose 2 – 6 years old = ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) three to four times a day.

Syrup Infant Dose = ¼ - ½ teaspoon (1.25 – 2.5 mL) three to four times a day.

To be taken with or without food.

Brand Name: Tavegyl (Non-Rx)

Content: Clemastine hydrogen fumarate

Dosage: Adult and Children >12 years old = 1 tablet or 10 mL to be taken two times a day

Child Dose 6 – 12 years old = ½ - 1 tablet or 5 -10 mL to be taken two times a day

Child Dose 3 – 6 years old = 5 mL to be taken two times a day

Child Dose 1 – 3 years old = 2.5 – 5 mL to be taken two times a day

It is advisable to take this medicine with food to avoid gastro intestinal discomfort.

Packing: Tablet 1 mg x 100’s

Syrup 0.5 mg/5 mL x 60 mL

Diphenhydramine

Brand Name: Allerin AH (Non-Rx)

Content: Diphenhydramine HCl

Dosage: Capsule Adult and Children >12 years old Dose = 1 capsule every 8 hours

Syrup Adult Dose = 10 mL (2 teaspoons) every 8 hours

Syrup Child Dose 6 – 12 years old = 5 mL (1 teaspoon) every 8 hours

Syrup Child Dose 2 – 6 years old = 2.5 mL (½ teaspoon) every 8 hours

To be taken with or without food.

Packing: Soft gelatin capsule 25 mg x 10’s, 100’s

Syrup 12.5 mg/5 mL x 60 mL

Brand Name: Allerin Reformulated (Non-Rx)

Content: Diphenhydramine HCl 12.5 mg, phenylpropanolamine HCl 12.5 mg

Dosage: Adult Dose = 10 mL to be given every 6 hours

Child Dose 7 – 12 years old = 5 mL to be given every 6 hours

Child Dose 2 – 6 years old = 2.5 mL to be given every 6 hours

To be given with or without food.

Packing: Reformulated Syrup 60 mL

Reformulated Syrup 120 mL

Brand Name: Benadryl (Non-Rx)

Content: Diphenhydramine HCl

Dosage: Syrup Adult and Children 12 years old or more = 12.5 – 25 mg (1- 2 teaspoons) to be given four times a day

Child Dose 6 - <12 years old = 12.5 mg (1 teaspoon) to be given four times a day

Child Dose 2 - <6 years old = 6.25 mg (½ teaspoon) to be given four times a day

To be given with or without food.

Packing: Syrup 12.5mg/5mL x 60 mL, 120 mL

Disclaimer: 

The information and reference materials contained here are intended solely for the general information of the reader and NOT intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Doctors’ prescription is necessary for some drugs. Always read the package inserts/leaflets before using the product.The owner of this site disclaims any responsibility for the decisions you make based on this information. If you have any health-related questions, persistent health condition or before taking any medication, please consult your health care provider.