Ketotifen, Nalcrom, Cetirizine - side effects?

Kitty's picture
Submitted by Kitty on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 07:54.

I'm a bit confused! as usual! we have taken our son off ketotifen, cetirizine and nalcrom for a week as he is having allergy testing done on monday.

We have noticed 2 things - his sleep is worse and he's suffering bouts of insomnia again, on Monday he was up from 12 till 4.  However, there is good news too - his behaviour has changed miraculously! Its as though all the anger and aggression has been sucked out of him. He has been much more willing to do things he's asked and isn't fighting me over everything. He and his brother are a lot less aggressive to each other too.

I wondered if anyone else has experienced behaviour problems on these drugs and if anyone knows which of these 3 drugs is likely to have been the culprit? i wasn't give the drug information leaflets with 2 of them and I couldn't find them online.  The ketotifen leaflet does mention irritability?

I now have a big dilemma, if the drugs make him happier and calmer but give him worse sleep - do i keep him off them or not? he's about to start school. And how do i work out which of the 3 is the problem?

I'd appreciate any help.

Tx

Kitty

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Cath's picture
Submitted by Cath on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 13:36.

Hi Kitty

We were on this combo for a bit, but seven hours after the doses of Cetirizine, Rubes would have about an hour and a half of terrible wind to get rid of. We hadn't quite noticed it so clearly linked to the Cetirizine but because the Nalcrom brought down the other symptoms when it got established, you could suddenly see it really clearly. So now we do two big doses of Ketotifen and three Nalcrom, plus Montelucast. Absolutely no behaviour issues, but if any doses are skipped, then we do have very sore nights. Usually up about 1am and then not back down again at all.

I would suggest that you put him back on the drugs when it's time, but perhaps go slow with the Ketotifen and bring the quantity up 1ml at a time until you hit the point at which he gets a full night's sleep. Also, don't forget, he might be absolutely ready as ready for the stimulation of school - I remember this from nannying, that 4-5 year olds get pretty scratchy scratchy at home before school starts. So perhaps don't draw any definite conclusions about behaviour until he's been there three or four weeks.

It's not going to do him much good to feel wound up at school if the drugs do that to him, but not much fun to be exhausted on too little sleep, either. God it's a balancing act, isn't it?

xxx

Cath

Cath - little one born 2009 has inflamatory bowel and colitis...

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Submitted by helenb8man on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 15:15.

Hi Kitty

Not sure re the side effects but I am guessing it could be the lack of ketotifen causing the sleep to be worse.  We were told by gosh that ketotifen is well known for helping with sleep.  When I pointed out it hadn't help with our sleep issues I was told it tends to send older kids off quickly but can do the same when they are younger.

I'd discuss it all with the allergy people monday.  Last thing you want is drugs causing behaviour issues but you may then find the gut gets worse without them.  Which could then impact on behaviour. How long they been stopped?  When we stopped Izzy's for the allergy tests we saw a dip pretty quick gut wise.  Stopped the sunday and was sent home from school the wednesday with tummy pain.  Very rare for her to come home.

You could ask what they thing about reintroducing them one at a time.  if the behaviour has improved that quickly it might go backwards quickly too.  Obviously not for a seccond suggesting you do that without medical advice.

Bad timing though as starting school is highly likely to cause anxiety/behavioural issues as well so could be even harder to tell!

Love Helen xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Kitty's picture
Submitted by Kitty on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 20:36.

Hi Cath and Helen

Thanks for the advice. I think you are right that the sleep issue maybe the lack of ketotifen. Ironically I'd thought it hadn't helped with sleep, god knows how bad his sleep would have been without it then as its not great even with it!

Helen - have you heard about nalcrom not being mixed with fruit juice? does it ring a bell?

Cath - yes please to having your nalcrom leaflet next weekend!! I'd be very grateful. Thank you!!! I have a ketotifen leaflet but not nalcrom or cetirizine so can't look at their side effects etc.

Thanks again for your help.

Kitty

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