Cetirizine is the carboxylated derivative of hydroxyzine. Levocetirizine is its purified active half — meaning it acts at the same receptor but at half the dose.
A 3-year-old falls in the 2–6 year age bracket. Both drugs are approved from age 2 onward in many guidelines.
— Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics
Comparative trials have not shown either to be consistently superior overall, though cetirizine and levocetirizine have fared best overall in comparative antihistamine trials for urticaria and allergy. — Fitzpatrick's Dermatology
⚠️ Note: Drug selection and dosing for children should always be confirmed with the prescribing physician or pharmacist, particularly given the child's exact weight and clinical indication.