Patient leaflet - Piriton Childrens Allergy syrup, Piriton syrup
1. What Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup is and what it is used for
Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup is used to treat the allergic symptoms of hayfever and other allergies. The active ingredient is chlorphenamine maleate, an antihistamine which can help to relieve the symptoms of some allergies and itchy skin rashes. It can be used to treat the itchiness, redness, swelling, tenderness and irritation that can be caused by:
- hayfever and other allergies e.g. pet, house dust mite and mould spore allergies
- nettle rash and hives
- skin allergies and dermatitis
- prickly heat and heat rash
- reactions to food, food additives or medicines
- insect bites and stings
- the itchy rash of chickenpox.
2. What you need to know before you take Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup <cross> Do not take Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup:
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to antihistamines or to any of the other ingredients
(listed in Section 6)
- if you have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) prescribed for depression in the last two weeks
- if you are taking other medicines containing antihistamines, including products for the relief of colds and coughs.
<exclamation>Take special care with Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup
- Talk to your doctor before you take this syrup if you have very high blood pressure, heart disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, liver disease, kidney disease, bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis or chronic lung disorders (difficulty in breathing and cough that won’t go away).
Avoid drinking alcohol with this medicine.
Do not drive or operate machinery if the syrup makes you feel drowsy, dizzy or if you experience blurred vision.
Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup contains 6.3% v/v ethanol (alcohol), similar to 6.3 ml beer or
2.6 ml wine per 5 ml spoonful. This could be harmful if you suffer from alcoholism. This should also be considered if you are pregnant or breast feeding, in children and high-risk groups such as patients with liver disease or epilepsy.
- Clean your teeth regularly. The syrup contains sucrose and long term use could increase the risk of tooth decay.
- If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before using Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup.
- Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup contains 2.36 g of sucrose per 5 ml. This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus.
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<exclamation> If you are taking other medicines
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this syrup if you are taking any prescribed medicines; particularly phenytoin (for epilepsy) or medicines for anxiety or to help you sleep.
<exclamation> Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking the Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
3. How to take Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup <tick> Use the spoon provided
| Age | Dosage | Maximum in 24 hours |
| 1-2 years | One 2.5 ml spoonful twice daily | Two 2.5 ml spoonfuls (5 ml) |
| 2-6 years | One 2.5 ml spoonful every 4-6 hours | Six 2.5 ml spoonfuls (15 ml) |
| 6-12 years | One 5 ml spoonful every 4-6 hours | Six 5 ml spoonfuls (30 ml) |
| Adults and children over 12 years | Two 5 ml spoonfuls (10 ml) every 4-6 hours | Twelve 5 ml spoonfuls (60 ml) |
| Elderly | Two 5 ml spoonfuls (10 ml) every 4-6 hours | Six 5 ml spoonfuls (30 ml) |
Elderly: Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take this syrup as you may be more likely to get side effects including confusion and you may need to take a lower daily dose.
<exclamation>
- Do not take more than the recommended dose.
- The minimum time interval between doses should be 4 hours.
- Do not use continuously for more than 14 days without consulting a doctor.
Do not give to children under 12 months.
If you or a child take too much syrup
Contact your doctor or casualty department. Do not drive if you have taken too much.
If you forget to take the syrup
Take a dose as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time to take the next one. Never take two doses together.
If your symptoms persist, see your doctor.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup can have side effects, but not everybody gets them. Children and older people are more prone to side effects.
Stop using this product and consult your doctor if you experience:
Allergic reaction which can be severe. Signs include:
- Raised and itchy rash (hives)
- Swelling, sometimes of the face or mouth causing difficulty in breathing
- Collapse
These reactions are rare.
Possible side effects:
Very Common (affects more than 1 in 10 people)
- drowsiness and sedation
Common (affects between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people):
- disturbance in concentrating, un-coordination, dizziness, headache
- blurred vision
- feeling or being sick, dry mouth
- fatigue
Other side effect may include: allergic reactions, swelling of the skin, loss of appetite, confusion, excitation, irritability, nightmares, low blood pressure, thickening of phlegm, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, indigestion or upset stomach, itchy skin, rash, sensitivity to the sun, muscle twitching, muscle weakness, difficulty passing water, chest tightness, low blood count, bruising, hepatitis (severe stomach pain, nausea or vomiting and loss of appetite and/or jaundice (yellow colouring of the skin or the whites of the eyes)).
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the ‘EXP’ date shown on the pack.
Store below 25°C. Protect from light.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Active ingredient Each 5 ml dose contains Chlorphenamine Maleate 2 mg.
Other ingredients Sucrose, glycerol, ethanol, tingle flavour, peppermint oil, water and, as a preservative, a mixture of methyl, ethyl and propyl hydroxybenzoates (E 218, E 214 and E 216). Methyl, ethyl and propyl hydroxybenzoates (E 218, E 214 and E 216) may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
The bottle contains 150 ml.
The marketing authorisation holder is GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (UK) Trading Limited, Brentford, TW8 9GS, U.K. and all enquiries should be sent to this address.
The manufacturer is Farmaclair, Avenue du General de Gaulle, 14200 Herouville Saint Clair, France.
This leaflet was last revised in October 2021.
Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.