520 E. Kendall Drive, Suite C - Yorkville, IL 60560
Dosage Chart
The FDA acknowledges that the ingredients in these cough and cold products have not been tested by today's standards to identify their levels of efficacy and safety. While further studies are pending, the manufacturers are voluntarily relabeling their recommended use of these products to "Do Not Use" in children less than 4 years of age. Given the need for further research, the dosages listed below are the current recommendations of our practice.
We recommend that you use the dropper or dosage cup that comes with your medicine to avoid overdosage. Dosage recommendations on bottles may vary from the recommendation on these pages. We would like you to use our recommended dosages unless your health care provider has given you a different (usually higher!) dosage. Aspirin should not be given to your child.
ALWAYS READ THE BOX!
Acetaminophen
| Do not exceed 5 doses in 24 hours | May Give Every |
10-11 lbs. 2-3 mo. |
12-17 lbs. 4-11 mo. |
18-23 lbs. 12-23 mo. |
24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. |
36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. |
48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. |
60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. |
|
NEW INFANT CONCENTRATION (Suspension) Check Bottle! 160mg/5ml |
4 - 6 hours | 1.25 ml |
2.5 ml 1/2 tsp. |
3.75 ml 3/4 tsp |
5 ml 1 tsp. |
1 1/2 tsp. | 2 tsp. |
2 1/2 tsp. (3 tsp if over 72 lbs) |
|
Chewable or Meltaway Junior 160 mg |
4 - 6 hours | 2 tab. |
2 1/2 tabs (3 tabs if over 72 lbs.) |
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Chewable or Meltaway 80 mg tablets |
4 - 6 hours | 2 tab. | 3 tab. | 4 tab. |
5 tab. (6 tab over 72 lbs.) |
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OLD INFANT CONCENTRATION (Drops) Check Bottle! 80 mg/0.8 ml * |
4 - 6 hours |
1/2 dppr. 0.4 ml. |
1 dppr. 0.8 ml. |
1 1/2 dppr. 1.2 ml. |
2 dppr. 1.6 ml. |
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| Suppository 120 mg | 4 - 6 hours | 1 supp. | 1-1/2 supp. | |||||
| Suppository 325 mg | 4 - 6 hours | 1/2 supp. | 3/4 supp. | 1 supp. | ||||
| Suppository 80 mg | 4 - 6 hours | 1 supp. | 1-1/2 supp. | 2 supp. | ||||
|
Suspension 160 mg/5 ml |
4 - 6 hours | 1/2 tsp. | 3/4 tsp. | 1 tsp. | 1 1/2 tsp. | 2 tsp. |
2 1/2 tsp. (3 tsp if over 72 lbs) |
Cold Medicines
| May Give Every |
14-17 lbs. 6-11 mo. |
18-23 lbs. 12-23 mo. |
24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. |
36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. |
48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. |
60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. |
|
| Benadryl Syrup | 6 hours | 1 1/2 tsp. | 1 3/4 tsp. | 2 tsp. | 2 tsp. | ||
| Dallergy Syrup | 4 - 6 hours | Do not use | Do not use | Do not use | 1/2 tsp. | 1 tsp. | 1 1/2tsp. |
| Dimetapp Elixir | 6 hours | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | 1 1/2 tsp. | 2 tsp. | 3 tsp. |
| Nyquil (purple) Syrup | 4 - 6 hours | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | 1-1/2 tsp. | 2 tsp. | 3 tsp. |
| Pediacare Cough-Cold Syrup | 4 - 6 hours | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | 1 1/2 tsp. | 2 tsp. | 2 1/2 tsp. |
| Sudafed Syrup | 6 hours | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | 3/4 tsp. | 1 tsp. | 1 1/2 tsp. |
Ibuprofen
| May Give Every |
12-17 lbs. 6-11 mo. |
18-23 lbs. 12-23 mo. |
24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. |
36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. |
48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. |
60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. |
|
| Chewable Tablets 100 mg | 6 hours | 1 tab. | 1-1/2 tab. | 2 tab. | 2-1/2 tab. | ||
| Chewable Tablets 50 mg | 6 hours | 2 tab. | 3 tab. | 4 tab. | 5 tab. | ||
| DROPS 50 mg/1.25 ml * | 6 hours | 1 dppr.1.25 ml. | 1-1/2 dppr. 1.875 ml. | 2 dppr. 2.5 ml. | 3 dppr. 3.75 ml. | ||
| Suspension 100 mg/5 ml | 6 hours | 1/2 tsp. | 3/4 tsp. | 1 tsp. | 1-1/2 tsp. | 2 tsp. | 2-1/2 tsp. |
| Tablets 200 mg | 6 hours | 1 tab. | 1-1/2 tab. |
Cough Medicines
| May Give Every |
14-17 lbs. 6-11 mo. |
18-23 lbs. 12-23 mo. |
24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. |
36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. |
48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. |
60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. |
|
| Benylin DM Syrup | 6 hours | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | 1 3/4 tsp. | 2 tsp. | 2 tsp. |
| Delsym Syrup | 12 hours | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | 3/4 tsp. | 1 tsp. | 1 tsp. |
| Dimetapp DM | 6 hours | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | 1 1/2 tsp. | 2 tsp. | 3 tsp. |
| Donatussin Syrup | 4 - 6 hours | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | 1/4 tsp. | 1/2 tsp. | 3/4 tsp. |
| Robitussin DM Syrup | 4 hours | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | Do Not Use | 1/2 tsp. | 1 tsp. | 1 tsp. |
Itching/Allergies
|
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dose Table for every 6 - 8 hours |
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| Child's Weight (pounds) | 20 - 24 | 25 - 37 | 38 - 49 | 50 - 99 | 100+ | lbs. |
| Liquid 12.5 mg/ 1 teaspoon (tsp) | 3/4 | 1 | 1 1/2 | 2 | -- | tsp |
| Liquid 12.5 mg/ 5 milliliters (ml) | 4 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 | -- | ml |
| Chewable 12.5 mg | -- | 1 | 1 1/2 | 2 | 4 | tablets |
| Tablets 25 mg | -- | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1 | 2 | tablets |
| Capsules 25 mg | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 2 | caps |
When to Use. Treatment of allergic reactions, nasal allergies, hives and itching.
Table Notes:
- AGE LIMITS. For allergies, don't use under 1 year of age. (Reason: it causes most babies to be sleepy). For colds, not advised at any age. (Reason: no proven benefits). They should be not be given if under 4 years old. If under 6 years, don't give products with more than one ingredient in them. (Reason: FDA recommendations 10/2008).
- DOSE. Find the child's weight in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have.
- MEASURE the DOSE. Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at drug stores. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. (Reason: regular spoons are not reliable.) Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon equals 5 ml and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 ml.
- ADULT DOSE. 50 mg
- HOW OFTEN. Repeat every 6 hours as needed.
- CHILDREN’S BENADRYL FASTMELTS. Each fastmelt tablet equals 12.5 mg. They are dosed the same as chewable tablets.