Children
Government Panel Votes Nonprescription Cough and Cold Medicines Are Risky for Those Under 6
The FDA has been advised that children under 12
should not be recommended to take any cough and cold remedies --
that these remedies are both ineffective and unsafe.
Other than Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Children's Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen),
do not give your child anything without a prescription from your pediatrician.
Can a 95-pound 9-year-old take 250mg azithromycin?
You do not indicate what the infection is, but the FDA-approved dose for children 6 months and older is: 10 mg/kg (maximum 500 mg/dose) orally on day 1 followed by 5mg/kg (maximum 250 mg/dose) orally on days 2-5 . Normally this is given in the morning. Give until completed. The 250mg is fine for your child. Your child weighs approximately 43kg.
Can I give my 60-pound 7-year-old 500mg amoxicillin once a day?
The 500mg of amoxicillin is acceptable for the daily dose of a 60-pound child. Normally amoxicillin is given every 8-12 hours, but more doctors are using once daily doses for the convenience of the patient. Did the doctor explain the reason for this dosing? I would ask. Make sure you give this until completed.
My 113-pound 9-year-old son was prescribed ibuprofen (Motrin) 600mg for headaches that he keeps getting every other day. Is this too much?
The recommended dose for headaches in children is: Adolescents: 200-400mg by mouth every 4-6 hours not to exceed 1200mg/day. It appears the doctor is prescribing the adult dose, which is double the adolescent dose. Talk to the doctor. In the meantime, if your son has more headaches, ibuprofen is available over-the-counter (OTC) in 200mg tablets. Always give with food or milk to prevent stomach upset.
My 111-pound 14-year-old son has a 102 fever. Should I give him 1 or 2 Advil liquid gel caps?
The Advil Liquid gel caps contain 200mg of ibuprofen. The proper adult dose of ibuprofen for fever is: 200-400mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed; maximum of 1200mg/day; do not take longer than 10 days unless directed by physician. Try 1 capsule to start, knowing that you could increase the dose by 1 capsule in 4 hours if the fever is still high. Do not exceed the 6 capsule (1200mg) daily limit unless instructed by his physician. Give this with food or milk to reduce the chance of stomach problems
My 17-year-old son is an elite runner. He started on Allegra D about 2 weeks ago for allergy to ragweed. He had a 5k race in the heat. By the end he was disoriented and had a splitting headache as well as feeling extremely hot. Hydration was not an issue. Can Allegra D have that kind of side effect?
Allegra D (fexofenadine w/pseudoephedrine) is an antihistamine/decongestant combination that is widely used for allergies. Side effects include mydriasis (severe dryness) and headache, among others. You say hydration is not an issue, but that is the first recommendation I can make. Have him drink more fluids. A consequence of vascular constriction is the inability of the body to transfer heat to the skin to dissipate. You may want to consider a plain Allegra, avoiding the "D" part. This could have something to do with the headaches too. He may also want to speak to a sports medicine specialist for help with his allergies and medication reactions.
How long should I wait before switching from Robitussin DM to Mucinex Cough for Kids Mini-Melts?
Unless the pediatrician prescribed these for the child, do not administer these until the child is 12.
My 22-month-old daughter is on azithromycin. Can she be given Children's Motrin for fever?
There are no direct drug interactions between azithromycin (Zithromax) and Motrin (ibuprofen). Give the antibiotic in the morning each day until finished. Give the Motrin with food or milk to prevent stomach upset every 4-6 hours up to 4 doses daily, as needed.
My grandson's pediatrician prescribed 12.5ml of Benadryl for a rash that has now spread all over his body. The pharmacist said that not only was it too much, but you do not give a 16-pound 4-month-old any Benadryl. What are your thoughts?
The dose (12.5ml) would be high for a child. Perhaps the doctor said 12.5mg. The proper dose for a child with an allergic reaction is 6.25mg-12.5mg orally every 4-6 hours. FDA guidelines instruct pharmacists not to recommend cough or cold medications for children. Benadryl is frequently used for cold symptoms. The physician may prescribe any medication deemed appropriate for the patient. The pharmacist was correct in questioning the dose. Please double-check and verify the dose with the pediatrician. The Benadryl elixir and solutions have a strength of 12.5mg/5ml.
My 14-pound, 4-1/2-month-old daughter was prescribed C-Phen DM Drops for a horrible cough and congestion. I am worried about giving it to her due to the side effects and worried about not giving it to her and having her symptoms get worse. Is this safe to give to her? The recommended dosage was 1/4 dropperful 4 times per day.
C-Phen DM (chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine) is a frequently prescribed cough and cold medication for both children and adults. This would be an appropriate dose for a 14-pound child. Give this only as needed, and have her drink extra fluids.
My 3-year-old is running a high fever, ear infection, stomache virus. How often can Advil be given?
The official recommended dosage for Advil (ibuprofen) in children with fever is:
Fever: over-the-counter dosing, 6 months-12 years, 5-10 mg/kg orally every 6-8 hours as needed, maximum 4 doses/day. Four doses is the daily limit. A 22-pound child would get between 50 and 100mg every 6-8 hours.
If the fever is persistent and your child can take Tylenol (acetaminophen), consider alternating the Advil with Tylenol. I have seen this work well for my children. Do NOT use aspirin in children. If the fever continues for more than 24 hours, contact the pediatrician.
What is the proper dosage of Tylenol to give a 2-month-old after his first baby shots?
The approved dose for Tylenol (acetaminophen) is 80mg every 4 to 6 hours up to 5 doses in 24 hours -- given as drops or a suppository. I found with my children that giving a dose before the shot reduced the pain, fever and discomfort.
My daughter takes 5mg Abilify daily. She also takes ibuprofen for her teeth due to braces. She was doing well on Abilify until she started taking the ibuprofen. Can these two meds interact with one another and make the side effects worse for the Abilify?
There are no reports of any drug interactions between ibuprofen (Motrin) and Ablilify (aripiprazole). They may be taken together if needed. The ibuprofen should always be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. Any unusual effects or feelings should be reported to the physician.
My son was prescribed Flagyl and a GI cocktail including viscous lidicaine, maalox and Donnatol (due to possible colitis due to antibiotic therapy). The Pharmacist said the alcohol in the Donnatol could cause abdominal pain (when taken with Flagyl) and to call the doctor for clarification. The doctor said it would not be a problem. My son is hesitant about taking the GI cocktail, since he has abdominal pain/nausea. He had a CT of the abdomen and no other acute conditions were found. He has had a Nissan Fundiplication for severe GERD. What advice would you give? How long should he give the Flagyl to notice any change in condition?
Follow the doctor's advice. There is a minimal amount of alcohol in the one ingredient of the GI cocktail -- only enough to keep the drug in solution. Flagyl (metronidazole) is normally given every 8 hours, three times daily with food. Take the GI cocktail 1 hour prior or 2 hours after the Flagyl. Be sure to have your son take the Flagyl until finished. Contact the doctor if any unusual effects occur.
My 17-month-old daughter is taking meds for two ear infections. This is making her have bad diarrhea and making her very raw. What can I do to combat the diarrhea? Immodium?
Do not give your child Immodium or any other antidiarrheal product without the advice of your pediatrician. These medications are not indicated for young children. I would suggest Pedialyte or other electrolyte replacement liquid designed for infants, until you can speak to the doctor; and zinc oxide paste for the child's bottom. Apply this with each diaper change. It will protect the skin. Antibiotic's major side effects involve the GI tract, most commonly diarrhea, and children seem to be more prone. Do not stop the antibiotics until they are finished or the doctor instructs you differently.
My 23-pound 14-month-old son has a bottle of azithromycin prescribed, but unfortunately slobbered off the label. It's 20mg/5ml. How much should he take?
The dose would depend on the condition being treated. Call the doctor or pharmacy from which you got the prescription. Next, medications are not to be handled or played with by children. Do not let children slobber on their prescription containers.
By how much does a teaspoon of Tylenol reduce a fever for a 2.5-year-old toddler?
The proper dose for a 2.5-year-old child is 80mg every 6 hours to a maximum of 720mg/24hr. The Tylenol Infant drops contain 100mg per ml (cc). The droppers are normally marked with a dose line at 0.8ml, which would be 80mg. A teaspoonful of the Tylenol Drops would have 500mg of Tylenol. Tylenol Children's Suspension has 160mg per teaspoonful (5cc). Be sure which product you are using. The strength should be listed on the label.
Can my 17-month-old take amoxicillin with Delsym?
Yes. They may be given together. Give the amoxicillin until completed and the Delsym only as needed or as directed by the physician. Shake both before each dose.
Can my 5-year-old son have guaifenesin with codeine and loratadine?
Yes. If these were prescribed by your son's doctor, they would be OK to give. These both should be given with plenty of water and only as needed, with the prescribed dose.
My son's pediatrician prescribed C-phen DM drops. What is the dosage for an 80-pound boy?
The recommended dose for a child the size of your son would be 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoonful) by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed up to 15 ml per day. This should only be given as needed with plenty of water. C-phen contains dextromethorphan, phenylephrine and chlorpheniramine. Always keep the prescription container with your medication.
My 8-year-old daughter weighs around 75 pounds. How much promethazine can I give her for an upset stomach?
Has this been prescribed for your daughter? If so, the pediatric dose of promethazine (Phenergan) for nausea is 12.5 to 25 mg by mouth or rectally every 4 to 6 hours if needed. Do not give medication to anyone if it has not been prescribed.
What is the dosage of Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom liquid for a 12-year-old weighing 150 pounds?
I am going to assume that you have the Tylenol Plus Childrens Multi-Symptom Cold Suspension. This has dextromethorphan, chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine and acetaminophen. The dose for a 12-year-old is 20ml(cc) up to every 4 hours if needed. There is a limit of 100 ml per day. Use this only as needed.
My daughter has two ear infections. I have gone to two pharmacies and cannot afford $308.14 for the prescriptions. I have some leftover medication and also ear drops. The medicine expired in July. Can I give her these?
I cannot recommend using medications for your daughter that were not prescribed for her and are expired. The old antibiotics should be discarded. There are pharmacies that offer free antibiotic prescriptions, and other places offer $4, $5 and $10 prescriptions. Contact your local city/county/state health center or clinics. Use Tylenol (acetaminophen) or children's Motrin (ibuprofen) orally for pain, as needed.
Can I give my 5-year-old guaifenesin/codeine for a really persistent cough?
Did the child's doctor prescribe this medication for her? If so, follow the instructions on the prescription label or contact the pediatrician for the correct dosage. If this was not prescribed for the child, do not give (NEVER GIVE) medication to someone if it was not prescribed.
How much amoxicillin should a 155-pound 14-year-old take?
The dosing would depend upon the cause of the infection. This time of year, the most common infections are ear, nose, and throat infections. The recommended dosages: mild to moderate infection, 500mg orally every 12 hours or 250mg orally every 8 hours: severe infection, 875mg orally every 12 hours or 500mg orally every 8 hours. The physician should have explained the dose and duration of the prescription. Whatever the dose, take the prescription to completion.
Can I give my 75-pound 8-year-old one 200 mg Advil?
Advil (ibuprofen) is indicated in children for several conditions, most commonly fever or headache. The following are the recommended pediatric dosages for ibuprofen by weight and age. Your child at 75 pounds is about 34 kg. A 200 mg dose of Advil would seem to be appropriate for these indications. Always give with food or milk to prevent GI upset. Fever: over-the-counter dosing, 6 months to 12 years old, 5-10 mg/kg ORALLY every 6-8 hours as needed, MAX 4 doses/day; 12 years and older, 200-400 mg ORALLY every 4-6 hours as needed, MAX 1200 mg/day; do not give longer than 10 days unless directed by physician. Headache: (suspension; 2 years and older) dosing depends on weight and age, administer each dose ORALLY every 6 to 8 hours as needed: for 24 to 35 lb or 2 to 3 years of age, 100 mg; for 36 to 47 lb or 4 to 5 years of age, 150 mg; for 48 to 59 lb or 6 to 8 years of age, 200 mg; for 60 to 71 lb or 9 to 10 years of age, 250 mg; for 72 to 95 lb or 11 years of age, 300 mg; MAX 4 doses/day.
Ca n you give a 10-year-old promethazine dm and amoxicillin?
There are no direct drug interactions between promethazine dm (Phenergan DM) and amoxicillin. They may be taken together, if needed. May sure the amoxicillin is taken until complete. Give the promethazine dm only as needed, with plenty of water.
My 14-year-old daughter who is only 70 lbs took 250 mg of motrin and cough and sore throat relief medicine containing 160 mg acetaminophen (2 1/2 tsps). Is this okay?
The recommended doses of Motrin (ibuprofen) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a 14 year old person are as follows: Tylenol: 650 mg to 1000 mg orally every 4 hours as needed, maximum 4000 mg/day. Motrin:12 years and older, 200 mg to 400 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed, maximum 1200 mg/day; do not give longer than 10 days unless directed by a physician. Your daughter is below the recommended maximum doses so this is fine. Make sure to only give as needed. Give the Motrin with food or milk to prevent stomach upset.
Can I give a 4-year-old one adult tylenol for pain? He weighs 50 pounds?
The normal dose for a child 4-years-old is 80 mg every 4 to 6 hours to a maximum of 720 mg in 24hours. The weight based formula for pain is 10-15 mg/kg. A 50 pound child is about 22-23 kg. So the dose range would be 220 mg-345 mg every 4 to 6 hours. There are many different strengths for Tylenol (acetaminophen), but the common adult strength is 325mg. If this is what you have, you could give this to the child. Make sure that you give no more than 2 doses in 24 hours, of the 325 mg.
0.5 ml of Brovex PSB DM was recommended for my 4-month-old. She has congestion, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. Is this safe?
BroveX PSB DM is a cough and cold mixture that has dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine and brompheniramine. Since the FDA does not recommend these medications for children, I can only say that the dose is very small, and physicians have the right to prescribe any approved medication they feel is appropriate for their patient. Make sure that you keep your child well-hydrated.
Can I give my 11-year-old who weighs 105 pounds adult ibuprofen?
The proper dose for a child the size and age of yours is 200 mg to 400 mg every 6 to 8 hours to a maximum dose of 1200 mg in 24 hours. The over-the-counter adult ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) is 200 mg per tablet. Start with the smallest dose first and give with food or milk.
There are no direct drug interactions between Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen), amoxicillin and Mucinex (guaifenesin). You may give these together if needed. Give the amoxicillin until finished. The others only give as needed, the ibuprofen with food or milk and the Mucinex with plenty of water. I have an 8-month-old baby with a cough and nasal congestion. What now?
Saline drops are the only approved product for an infant. Keep the baby comfortable, and regularly check for fever. Use a humidifier to keep the air moist. I gave my 8-month-old son Tylenol for fever. Do I have to wait four hours to give Motrin?
You may give your son four doses of each, Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen) every 24 hours. These can be spaced out evenly throughout the 24 hours in a staggered fashion so that every 2 hours give the other product. I would suggest writing down the time of each dose given, particularly if more than one caregiver is involved. That way too many of one of these products is not given or too close together. Give these only as needed.
Can you give a 10-year old Imodium for diarrhea with prescribed Rondec DM?
There are no direct drug interactions between Imodium (loperamide) and Rondec DM ( brompheniramine and dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine). The proper dose of Imodium for diarrhea in patients your child's age is:
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Diarrhea (acute) -- first day dosage: 8-12 years-old, greater than 30 kg (66lbs) 2mg orally 3 times daily
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Diarrhea (acute) -- subsequent daily dosage: 2-12 years-old, 1mg per10kg (22lbs) of body weight orally only after a loose stool; total daily dose should not exceed dosages for the first day
Imodium is a very effective anti-diarrheal. Use both of these medications only as needed. If the diarrhea continues more than a few days, have the child examined by the doctor.
I have a hard time giving my 2.5-year-old liquid Tylenol or Motrin. Do these come in chewable form?Both of these medications are available in a chewable form. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is available in an oral chewable tablet, 81 MG, 160 MG. Motrin (ibuprofen) is available in an oral chewable tablet, 100 MG. There may be more than one flavor, so find one that your child will take. Keep these out of the reach of children and always follow the instructions on the container. The chewable are a great alternative to the liquid. Can I give my 9-year-old a Mylanta Gas tablet?
Mylanta Gas is simethicone, a great anti-gas drug that is safe for children. It is even available in a dropper bottle for infants. The proper dosing for children for excessive upper gastrointestinal gas:
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Under 2 -- 20mg by mouth 4 times daily after meals and at bedtime; maximum 12 doses/day (240mg/day)
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2-12 -- 40 mg by mouth 4 times daily after meals and at bedtime; maximum 12 doses/day (240 mg/day)
Increase the water intake also. This should only be given as needed.
What dose of ibuprofen should be given to a 14-month-old boy that weighs 12 kilograms?The dose is 60-120mg every six-eight hours as needed. My 6-year-old daughter has a cough and a rash. I gave her Benadryl and her fever increased. Can I give her Tylenol?
Yes. Follow the instructions on the label for her weight.
Can give my 2-month-old baby Tylenol?
Yes. Follow the instructions on the label. No more than four doses per day.
How much Tylenol is recommended for a 10-month-old, 24-pound baby?
The suggested dose for infants is 10-15mg/Kg/dose as often as every four-six hours, up to five doses per day. For your baby, this would be 100mg to 160mg every four-six hours. No more than 800mg per day. Give only as needed.
A person 70Kg may take up to 5mg per day for as many as seven days. Beyond that time, talk to a doctor.
How much ibuprofen should I give my 2-year, 8-month old son?
The suggested dose is 5-10mg per Kg as often as every six-eight hours is needed for pain or fever. Do not give more than four doses per day.
What is the best way to relieve nose congestion and facilitate breathing in a 9-month-old baby girl?
Use normal saline nasal drops. Follow the instructions on the bottle. If this does not help in a few days, call your pediatrician.
I have a 2-year-old daughter. I gave her a suppository 4 hours ago and her fever has not gone down. Can I give her another or should I give her Liquid Tylenol?
You could give her either one of the types of Tylenol. This can be given every four hours up to five times daily at the appropriate dose.
The Tylenol is 80mg every four hours up to five doses per day. Motrin would be 100 to 200mg up to four times daily.
In case of fever, how many ml of ibuprofen syrup can I give a 1-year-old boy?
Ibuprofen is dosed by weight. The proper dose is 5-10mg/Kg up to four times daily. Give with food or milk.
Alternate the doses of these two medications. Codeine could constipate and both medications could cause stomach upset. Follow the directions on the labels. My 12-year-old son is taking amoxicillin. I was wondering if he can also take dextromethorphan for a cough. Can you tell me if there is anything else to take for a cough that is more natural?
The dextromethorphan is an excellent cough suppressant for adults and this will be fine to take with amoxicillin. A more natural cough suppressant would be honey, lemon juice and sugar water. Give the amoxicillin until finished and the cough suppressant only as needed. Have him drink plenty of liquids. Can I use Vicks baby rub on my six-week-old?
Vicks Vapo Rub is only indicated and approved for use in children (and adults) 6 and older. I would recommend a cool air vaporizer and/or increasing the humidity setting on your furnace. If the child's congestion gets worse, or does not clear, call the pediatrician. What can you give a 10-year-old for an upset stomach?
Emetrol (a mixed sugar solution) is an over-the-counter anti-nausea product. It is safe for use in children as young as 2. Follow the directions on the package.
Can my 12-year-old take Tylenol extra strength with Mucinex expectorant?
Yes, Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be taken with Mucinex (guaifenesin). Limit your child to 4 tablets of Tylenol per day and have them drink plenty of water with the Mucinex. Take each only as long as needed.
Can my 15-year-old take two Advil with loratadine? And when should he take his Amoxicillin?
Your 15-year-old may take two Advil (ibuprofen) with the loratadine (Claritin). Give no more than six Advil per day and for no longer than 10 days unless instructed by the pediatrician. Amoxicillin must be taken until completed, and may be taken with either or both of these medications. Advil should be given with food or milk.
Don't give anything but fluids (water) and perhaps use a humidifier in the room. Call your pediatrician.
What are the most effective remedies to help eliminate stomach gas in newborns?
If the child is not lactose intolerant (nothing helps then), you may use simethicone. The proper dose for infants is 20mg of Mylicon (simethicone) by mouth 4 times daily, after meals and at bedtime.
Is there a weight requirement to take Allegra 60mg? My daughter is 13 and I wasn't sure if young adults were able to take this dosage.
Unless your daughter is very petite, underweight or malnourished, the 60mg dose is within the guideline for children 12 and older. Here are the recommended doses for the approved indications in adolescent:
Idiopathic urticaria, chronic:12 and older, 60mg orally twice daily OR 180mg orally once daily with water
Seasonal allergic rhinitis: 2-11, 30mg orally twice daily with water
Seasonal allergic rhinitis: 12 and older, 60mg orally twice daily or 180mg once daily with water
How much Tylenol Cold DM can I give my 14-year-old?
If your child is "normal size" you may give the top dose in the pediatric range for a 14-year-old. If you have the tablets, that would be 4 tablets at a time up to 4 times daily. That would be a total of 30mg of pseudoephedrine per dose. If you have the liquid, the dose would be 15ml (3 teaspoonfuls) up to 4 times daily. Only give as long as needed. Have the child drink plenty of liquids.
How much Motrin can I give my child?
The dose depends on the age and weight of the child. Here are the recommended pediatric doses for Motrin (ibuprofen). Always use the lowest effective dose for shortest possible duration after observing initial response, adjust dose and frequency to meet individual patient's needs.
Fever: over-the-counter dosing, 6 months-12 years old, 5-10mg/kg orally every 6-8 hours as needed, maximum 4 doses a day; 12 years and older, 200-400mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed, maximum 1200mg/day; do not give longer than 10 days unless directed by physician
Headache: (suspension; 6 months-2 years old) dosing depends on weight and age, administer each dose orally every 6-8 hours as needed: for 12-17 lb or 6-11 months old, 50 mg; for 18-23 lb or 12-23 months old, 75mg; maximum of 4 doses a day
Can my daughter take Dimetapp Cough or Triaminic Cough with amoxicillin?
Generally speaking, amoxicillin may be taken with any cough and cold medication. If your daughter is under 12, have the pediatrician give you guidelines for administering cough or cold remedies.
My 6-year-old has croup and was prescribed prednisolone. We have given her Childrens Mucinex and she is complaining of sore throat. Is it OK to give her Tylenol or Motrin?
I would suggest Tylenol (acetaminophen) and not the Motrin (ibuprofen). This will help prevent stomach upset and duplication of anti-inflammatory therapies. Have you tried having your child gargle? Warm saline solution (salt water) can soothe the throat. Your could also use a throat lozenge for children to numb the throat. Give the child plenty of water to drink during the day.
What is the recommended dose of Tylenol for my 8-month-old. She is about 18 lbs and has high fever.
The best way to treat fever in an infant is to use a suppository. The pediatric dosing for fever with Tylenol (acetaminophen) is:
Fever: 1-3 years, 80mg rectally every 4 hours
Fever: 3-11 months, 80mg rectally every 6 hours
If she will take drops, you can try the oral acetaminophen. Be careful what the strength per ml is listed. Some formulas are 80mg/ml and others are 100mg/ml. Do not give more than 500mg per day (for 8-month-old) without talking to your pediatrician.
I gave my 15-year-old, approximately 155-pound son 600mg ibuprofen (only thing I could find). His temperature was 102.3. I went to get some acetaminophen, but when I called my doctor, I don't know if he heard me say the ibuprofen was 600mg. How many mg of acetominophen? Temperature is now down to 100.2.
You may alternate Motrin (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 4 hours. Give as long as needed to reduce the fever. If the fever does not significantly lower in 12 hours, contact the physician. In effect, you are giving each different drug every 8 hours.
How much of Children's Motrin can I give my 18-month-old that weights 23-1/2 pounds?
With the weight of your child, you could give 50-100mg every 6-8 hours. Give after food to avoid stomach distress. Approved pediatric dosing:
Fever: over-the-counter dosing, 6 months-12 years, 5-10mg/kg orally every 6-8 hours as needed; maximum 4 doses per day
Fever: over-the-counter dosing; 12 years and older, 200-400mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed; maximum 1200mg per day
Do not give longer than 10 days unless directed by physician
Can I give my 10-year-old son infant drops in place of Tylenol elixer?
Yes, the Tylenol (acetaminophen) infant drops are usually in a concentration of 100mg/ml. Please verify this on the label. You could give him 3-1/4 ml (cc) every four-six hours if needed. The pediatric dose range is: Fever: 6-12 years, 325mg orally every four-six hours; maximum 2.6 g in 24 hours. The drops may work faster.
If I gave my 4-year-old daughter Claritin (children's) at 9:30 a.m., can I give her children's Motrin at 12:13 a.m.? The Claritin says 24 hour dosage.
That means that you only give the Claritin (loratadine) every 24 hours. You may give the Children's Motrin (ibuprofen) up to 4 times daily, following the instructions on the box.
Can I give an 4-month-old a small dose of Mucinex?
No!
Can a 14-year-old girl take Mucienx DM and Motrin together?
Yes, Mucinex DM (guaifenesin with dextromethorphan) may be taken with Motrin (ibuprofen). Have your daughter drink plenty of water with the Mucinex and take the Motrin with food or milk. These should only be taken as long as needed.
My 1-year-old has a stubborn head cold that will go away. What can I give him?
Tylenol (acetaminophen) and plenty of fluids.
What is a safe sleep aid for infants?
Warm milk.
I gave my 2-1/2-year-old Mucinex Cough for Kids about an hour ago, and now he is running a fever. Can I give him ibuprofen to reduce his fever?
Yes. You may give ibuprofen (Children's Motrin or Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) following the dosing chart on the bottles. Make sure to give your child plenty of water with the Mucinex.
My 10-year-old's cough is keeping him awake. Can any medicine be taken with Delsym safely? It is not working alone.
There are many medications that can be taken safely with Delsym, but none that will do any more for the cough. Try a humidifier in the room, have him drink extra fluids (keep a glass of water at the bedside all the time), elevate his head and think about talking to his pediatrician about the possibility of allergies.
What can I use to relieve stomachache and vomiting in a 4-year-old?
Coca-Cola syrup is an old-time remedy that still works. Emetrol is an over-the-counter product that has a similar effect. Follow the directions on the package.
Is it safe to give a child Benadryl every night to make them go to sleep?
No. This would be an inappropriate way to administer diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for a child. If your child has continual trouble sleeping, contact your pediatrician. Diphenhydramine is indicated for occasional insomnia in adults, and for allergies in children and adults.
I've read that the Tylenol/Motrin combination is perfectly safe for toddlers and recommended to get a better effect at lowering fever and pain. I've also read that you absolutely should NOT combine two pain- fever-reducers under any circumstances, because it has no additional effect to take two instead of one. What?
You may alternate the two different products to help relieve pain and fever. In instances of extremely high fevers, I have seen this combination given at the every four-hour dosing of each, with two hours separating the individual doses. This can be very effective.
What can I give a 45-pound 3-year-old for constipation? She eats plenty of fruits and vegetables and drinks quite a bit of diluted juice (1/2-3/4 water and 1/2-1/4 juice). The pediatrician has no suggestions.
It sounds like you have done several of the right things to help your child. Make sure the child gets regular physical activity (walking, running, biking, trampoline, dance) in addition to the fiber-filled diet with plenty of water and juice. Talk with your pediatrician about Colace Syrup (docusate), a stool softener that can be used in children. In severe times of constipation, you may use a glycerin suppository.
Can I give Children's Motrin and amoxicillin at the same time?
Yes but not simultaneously -- especially if you're giving the liquid of both. Your child will end up with a bad taste. Space them out or at least use different spoons. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that can be taken with or without food. Ibuprofen should be given with food or milk to reduce the GI distress.
Is Mylicon safe to use with Infant Motrin?
Mylicon infant drops (simethicone) is an anti-gas product. Motrin (ibuprofen) is a fever- and pain-reducer. There are no interactions between these two products but if you are giving the Mylicon to offset an upset stomach, the Mylicon will not work.
Can I give Motrin to my daughter in addition to the cough syrup that was prescribed by the doctor? The cough syrup contains codeine.
Motrin (ibuprofen) can be given at the same time as cough syrups with codeine or dextromethorphan (DM). There may be some added stomach irritation but no drug interactions. Follow the label directions or speak to your pediatrician.
Can a toddler take Librax?
Do NOT give this drug to infants, children or adolescents without the advice of a pediatric gastroenterologist. Librax (clidinium and chlordiazepoxide) is a drug for gastrointestinal or stomach conditions that is indicated ONLY in adults.
Can I give my 1-year-old Tylenol one hour after Motrin? She is having alot of pain from teething.
This is a common dilemma for parents. You should talk with your pediatrician. Then there are chew objects that can be frozen. This can also help relieve the pain. Some doctors recommend alternating Tylenol (acetaminophen) with Motrin (ibuprofen) every 2 to 4 hours. That way each product is not given sooner than recommended. Try to keep your child active to take the mind off the teeth.
