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.) 
Chewable or
Meltaway
80 mg tablets
4 - 6 hours        2 tab.  3 tab.  4 tab.  5 tab.
(6 tab over
72 lbs.) 
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. 
     
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
 
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.