Decongestants

Recommended Brands

Click on desired brand for dosing chart

• Dimetapp Decongestant Pediatric Drops (6 months to 3 years)
• Triaminic AM Decongestant (6 months and up)
• Triaminic Infant Oral Decongestant Drops (6 months to 3 years)
• Pediacare Infant Decongestant Drops (6 months to 3 years)
• Sudafed Pediatric Nasal Decongestant Oral Drops (6 months to 6 years)
• Sudafed Children’s Nasal Decongestant Liquid (6 months and up)
• Sudafed Children’s Nasal Decongestant Chewables (2 years and up)

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.

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

Dimetapp Decongestant Pediatric Drops

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

Triaminic AM Decongestant 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.

Triaminic Infant Oral Decongestant Drops

Be sure to use supplied dropper:

• ½ dropper = 0.4ml
• 1 dropper = 0.8ml

Contains pseudoephedrine drops 7.5mg/0.8ml

Pediacare Infant Decongestant Drops

Be sure to use supplied dropper:

• ½ dropper = 0.4ml
• 1 dropper = 0.8ml

Contains Pseudoephedrine drops 7.5mg/0.8ml

Sudafed Pediatric Nasal Decongestant Oral Drops

Be sure to use supplied dropper:

• ½ dropper = 0.4ml
• 1 dropper = 0.8ml

Contains Pseudoephedrine drops 7.5mg/0.8ml

Sudafed Children’s Nasal Decongestant Liquid

Maximum dose is 60 milligrams

Contains Pseudoephedrine 15mg/5ml

Dose can be given every 4-6 hours, max 4 doses per day

Sudafed Children’s Nasal Decongestant Chewables

Maximum dose is 60 milligrams.

Contains Pseudoephedrine 15mg per tablet

Dose can be given every 4-6 hours, max 4 doses per day

Robitussin PE

Contains: per 5ml (1 teaspoon)

• Pseudoephedrine 30mg (decongestant)
• Guaifenesin 100mg (expectorant)