RECOMMENDED BRANDS:
Click on medicine below for dosing chart.
- Triaminic AM Cough and Decongestant (6 months and up)
- Robitussin Pediatric Cough and Cold (6 months and up)
- Pediacare Infant’s Decongestant Plus Cough (6 months to 3 years)
With a Fever reducer
- Infant Tylenol Cold and Cough (6 months to 3 years)
- Triaminic Sore Throat Liquid (6 months and up)
- Triaminic Softchews Throat Pain and Cough (2 years and up)
With an Expectorant
- Robitussin Cough and Cold Infant Drops (6 months and up). The 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.
These medications contain Pseudoephedrine, which is a nasal decongestant. 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. The Dextromethorphan (DM for short) is a cough suppressant. It will offer temporary relief (a few hours) to that nagging cough caused by a “tickle” in the throat. The Acetaminophen in some of these cold medications will help relieve the aches and fever that your child may have. If you are using one of these combination cold medications but still need to do more for the fever, then a dose of Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) would be okay to give. Click for a detailed discussion on Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen or Fever.
When to use:
Frequent cough, nasal congestion, mild runny nose (Day time)
An ideal use for this combination would be a child with congested nose (but not too itchy and runny) and an annoying frequent cough, but he’s well enough to go to school. This combination won’t make your child drowsy which is important for alertness in school. For nighttime use, or if there is a very runny, itchy nose, then you should probably also use an antihistamine which will help your child sleep.
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.
Safety:
These medications are safe to use in children six months and older for upper respiratory illness (such as colds and sinus infections). If your child has a lower respiratory tract illness (like pneumonia, bronchiolitis or asthma) you should ask your physician before using cold or cough remedies. The main side effect can be 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 cough or cold remedies.
Dosing Charts:
Triaminic AM Cough and Decongestant Liquid
Ingredients: per 5ml (1tsp)
- Pseudoephedrine 15mg (decongestant)
- Dextromethorphan 7.5mg (cough suppressant)
| <6 months (<14lbs) | Not recommended |
| 6-11 months (14-17lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 12-23 months (18-23lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 2-5 years (24-47lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 6-11 years (48-95lbs) | 10ml (2 tsp) every 6 hours |
| 12 years and up (>95lbs) | 20ml (4 tsp) every 6 hours |
Robitussin Pediatric Cough and Cold Formula
Ingredients: per 5ml (1tsp)
- Pseudoephedrine 15mg (decongestant)
- Dextromethorphan 7.5mg (cough suppressant)
| <6 months (<14lbs) | Not recommended |
| 6-11 months (14-17lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 12-23 months (18-23lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 2-6 years (24-47lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 6-12 years (48-95lbs) | 10ml (2 tsp) every 6 hours |
| >12 years (>95lbs) | 20ml (4 tsp) every 6 hours |
Pediacare Infant’s Decongestant Plus Cough Drops
Ingredients: per 0.8ml (drops)
- Pseudoephedrine 7.5mg (decongestant)
- Dextromethorphan 2.5mg (cough suppressant)
Be sure to use supplied dropper:
- ½ dropper = 0.4ml
- 1 dropper = 0.8ml
| Under six months | Ask your doctor |
| 6-11 months (12-17 lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 12-23 months (18-23 lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 2-3 years (24-35 lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| >3 years (>35 lbs) | Use Children’s liquid |
Infant Tylenol Cold and Cough
Decongestant and Fever Reducer Concentrated Drops
Ingredients: per 1.6ml (two dropperfuls)
- Pseudoephedrine 15mg (decongestant)
- Acetaminophen 160mg (fever reducer)
- Dextromethorphan 5mg (cough suppressant)
Be sure to use supplied dropper:
- ½ dropper = 0.4ml
- 1 dropper = 0.8ml
| Under six months | Ask your doctor |
| 6-11 months (12-17 lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 12-23 months (18-23 lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 2-3 years (24-35 lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| >35 pounds | Use Children’s liquid |
Triaminic Sore Throat Liquid
Ingredients: per 5ml (1 tsp)
- Pseudoephedrine 15mg (decongestant)
- Acetaminophen 160mg (fever reducer)
- Dextromethorphan 7.5mg (cough suppressant)
| <6 months (<14lbs) | Not recommended |
| 6-11 months (14-17lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 12-23 months (18-23lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 2-5 years (24-47lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 6-11 years (48-95lbs) | 10ml (2 tsp) every 6 hours |
| 12 years and up (>95lbs) | 20ml (4 tsp) every 6 hours |
Triaminic Softchews Throat Pain and Cough
Ingredients: per chewable tablet
- Pseudoephedrine 15mg (decongestant)
- Acetaminophen 160mg (fever reducer)
- Dextromethorphan 5mg (cough suppressant)
Doses are every 4-6 hours, max 4 doses/day.
| Under two years | Not recommended (choking hazard) |
| 2-5 years (24-47lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 6-11 years (48-95lbs) | 2 tablets every 4-6 hours |
| 12 years and up (>95lbs) | 4 tablets every 4-6 hours |
Robitussin Cough and Cold Infant Drops
Ingredients: per 2.5ml (drops)
- Pseudoephedrine 15mg (decongestant)
- Dextromethorphan 5mg (cough suppressant)
- Guaifenesin 100mg (expectorant)
Maximum 4 doses per day
| <6 months (<14lbs) | Not recommended |
| 6-11 months (14-17lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 12-23 months (18-23lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 2-6 years (24-47lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| >6 years | Use other forms |