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DECONGESTANTS
Recommended brands: Click on desired brand for dosing chart
With an Expectorant:
- Robitussin-PE (6 months and up)
Expectorant helps when your child has thick chest congestion,
which he is unable to cough up. It loosens think mucous, making
it easier to cough up.
Ingredients:
- Pseudoephedrine (Decongestant)
- Robitussin-PE also contains Guaifenesin (Expectorant)
When to use: Nasal congestion, mild runny nose.
Using a Decongestant will clear nasal passages making it easier to breath through the
nose. It also has a mild drying effect so it will also help relieve runny nose a bit. I like to
use decongestants during the day because they won't make your child drowsy. This is
important if your child is going to school. For the child who is "sick at home" I rarely
use decongestants by themselves. If your child is miserable enough to need a medication,
there is usually a cough or severe runny nose along with the congestion. I usually use an
antihistamine-decongestant combination and maybe a cough suppressant to help them
sleep or to relieve severe runny nose or cough.
DR. SEARS HELPFUL TIP FOR TREATING
COLDS
When I give my children cold medications, I have found that the nasal passages can
become too dry, that's why it is important to use saline nasal spray throughout the day
and a humidifier in the bedroom at night (see natural cold
treatments).
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Safety: The books say decongestants are safe to use in infants three
months and older. However I use them under six months only if the congestion is
affecting feeding or sleeping. If your infant is under six months old, you should consult
his physician before using this medication. The main side effect is over-stimulation.
Uncommon side effects are headache, upset stomach and dizziness. If your child has a
history of seizures, high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease or is taking
medications for any of these conditions, consult your doctor before taking this
medication.
DOSING CHARTS:
Be sure to use supplied dropper:
- ½ dropper = 0.4ml
- 1 dropper = 0.8ml
Contains Pseudoephedrine drops 7.5mg/0.8ml:
Note the lower dosing time interval for 2-3 years
| Under six months |
Consult physician |
| 6-11 months (14-17 lbs) |
0.8 ml (1 dropper) every 6-8 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| 12-23 months (18-23 lbs) |
1.2 ml (1 ½ dropper) every 6-8 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| 2-3 years (24-35 lbs) |
1.6 ml (2 droppers) every 4-6 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| >3 years (>35 lbs) |
Use Children's liquid |
Contains Pseudoephedrine 15mg per 5 ml (1 tsp)
Maximum dose is 60 milligrams.
Dose can be given every 4-6 hours, max 4 doses per day.
| <6 months (<14lbs) |
Not recommended |
| 6-11 months (14-17lbs) |
1.25 ml (¼ tsp) every 4-6 hours |
| 12-23 months (18-23lbs) |
2.5 ml (½ tsp) every 4-6 hours |
| 2-6 years (24-47lbs) |
5 ml (1 tsp) every 4-6 hours |
| 6-11 years (48-95lbs) |
10ml (2 tsp) every 4-6 hours |
Be sure to use supplied dropper:
- ½ dropper = 0.4ml
- 1 dropper = 0.8ml
Contains pseudoephedrine drops 7.5mg/0.8ml
| Under six months |
Consult physician |
| 6-11 months (12-17 lbs) |
0.8 ml (1 dropper) every 4-6 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| 12-23 months (18-23 lbs) |
1.2 ml (1 ½ dropper) every 4-6 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| 2-3 years (24-35 lbs) |
1.6 ml (2 droppers) every 4-6 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| >3 years (>35 lbs) |
Use Children's liquid |
Be sure to use supplied dropper:
- ½ dropper = 0.4ml
- 1 dropper = 0.8ml
Contains Pseudoephedrine drops 7.5mg/0.8ml
| Under six months |
Consult physician |
| 6-11 months (12-17 lbs) |
0.8 ml (1 dropper) every 4-6 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| 12-23 months (18-23 lbs) |
1.2 ml (1 ½ dropper) every 4-6 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| 2-3 years (24-35 lbs) |
1.6 ml (2 droppers) every 4-6 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| >35 pounds |
Use Children's liquid |
Be sure to use supplied dropper:
- ½ dropper = 0.4ml
- 1 dropper = 0.8ml
Contains Pseudoephedrine drops 7.5mg/0.8ml
| Under six months |
Consult physician |
| 6-11 months (12-17 lbs) |
0.8 ml (1 dropper) every 4-6 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| 12-23 months (18-23 lbs) |
1.2 ml (1 ½ dropper) every 4-6 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| 2-6 years (24-47 lbs) |
1.6 ml (2 droppers) every 4-6 hrs. (max 4 doses/day) |
| >6 years |
Use Children's liquid |
Maximum dose is 60 milligrams
Contains Pseudoephedrine 15mg/5ml
Dose can be given every 4-6 hours, max 4 doses per day
| <6 months (<14lbs) |
Not recommended |
| 6-11 months (14-17lbs) |
1.25 ml (¼ tsp) every 4-6 hours |
| 12-23 months (18-23lbs) |
2.5 ml (½ tsp) every 4-6 hours |
| 2-6 years (24-47lbs) |
5 ml (1 tsp) every 4-6 hours |
| 6-12 years (48-95lbs) |
10ml (2 tsp) every 4-6 hours |
| >12 years (>95lbs) |
20ml (4 tsp) every 4-6 hours |
Maximum dose is 60 milligrams.
Contains Pseudoephedrine 15mg per tablet
Dose can be given every 4-6 hours, max 4 doses per day
| <2 years |
Use Liquid or Drops |
| 2-6 years (24-47lbs) |
1 tablet every 4-6 hours |
| 6-12 years (48-95lbs) |
2 tablets every 4-6 hours |
| >12 years (>95lbs) |
4 tablets every 4-6 hours |
Contains: per 5ml (1 teaspoon)
Pseudoephedrine 30mg (decongestant)
Guaifenesin 100mg (expectorant)
| <6 months (<14lbs) |
Not recommended |
| 6-11 months (14-17lbs) |
1.25 ml (¼ tsp) every 8 hours |
| 12-23 months (18-23lbs) |
1.25 ml (¼ tsp) every 6 hours |
| 2-6 years (24-47lbs) |
2.5 ml (½ tsp) every 4 hours. Max 4 doses/day |
| 6-12 years (48-95lbs) |
5ml (1 tsp) every 4 hours. Max 4 doses/day |
| >12 years (>95lbs) |
10ml (2 tsp) every 4 hours. Max 4 doses/day |
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