Antihistamines, respiratory depression and the sudden infant death syndrome in young children: A review and recommendations

Several recent reports have cautioned against the use of antihistamines in infants due to a possible association among these drugs, sleep apnea and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In this report, the published data on this subject are reviewed and discussed. The pharmacology of both the older 'classic' H₁ histamine antagonists and the newer, less sedating compounds is summarized, with particular reference to the most sedating classes incriminated in SIDS. Although there is evidence linking phenothiazine-type antihistamines leg, promethazine) to sleep apnea in young children and to near-SIDS and SIDS, there are no such published data on antihistamines of other types. A summary and recommendations are provided.