DOCTOR’S DOSING CHART 2008
William H. Barrows, M.D.
Donald K. Brown, M.D.
Streeterville Pediatrics, S.C.
Kathleen Kuo Starr, M.D.
Megan K. Lynch, M.D.
#1 Fever and Pain
Generally fevers over 101 taken rectally can easily be treated by either giving acetaminophen taken
every 3-4 hours or ibuphrofen taken every 6-8 hours. We recommend temperatures be taken rectally
especially in young children since the oral route is inappropriate and the ear thermometers and forehead
scanners or arm pit temperatures are inaccurate. Children who may have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
may be better off to be given acetaminophen since it is gentler on the stomach.
•
To take a rectal temperature, simply lubricate the thermometer with a dab of white
petrolatum (Vaseline) and insert into the rectum one inch. Because this seems like a long distance, it may
help to pre-mark on the thermometer with a Sharpy pen.
•
Rectal suppositories can also be given to those who are vomiting or those resistant to taking
oral medications.
•
With fevers where the temperature fails to go down on one fever medicine by itself, you can give
acetaminophen every 3 hours and ibuprophen every 6 hours. (This means giving acetaminophen at Noon,
3, 6, 9, MN and giving ibuphrophen at Noon and 6 and MN).
#2 Cough medicines every 6 hours
Colds come with coughs. The cough has a purpose. It clears secretions out of the lungs. A cough
that is a few times an hour generally is not bothering the child and need not be treated. However,
sometimes a cough becomes more often and disrupts sleeping or feeding and these coughs can be treated
every 6 hours with the medicines in this group. We find the guaifenesin to be useful to loosen the cough
and the dextromethorophan to slow the cough down. Cough medicines should not stop a cough as this can
lead to retained secretions and this can set up for a pneumonia.
•
Coughs where you hear a wheeze especially one that the respirations are much faster than
usual may be asthma and generally warrant a call to the doctor’s office for an appointment in the office.
Infants breath normally at 25-40, toddlers 15-25 breaths per minute. Faster rates than these warrant a
call to the doctor in the office and may need to be seen.
#3 Runny noses and nasal congestion medicines can be given every 6 hours
Colds come with runny noses and may interfere with sleeping or eating. If so, medications can help
slow symptoms while nature cures the cold with time. Side effects can be jitteriness and sleeplessness in
some cases.
•
Nasal secretions can be treated with salt water (1 tsp salt in one cup water) as a nose drop.
These can be used as often as needed. Plunging the nose can irritate the front of the nose and we generally
do not suggest doing this.
#4 Allergic reactions or allergy symptoms
For allergic reactions that give hives (urticaria), itchy red welts or swelling of eyes or hands can be
treated with dipheneramine every 6 hours. Side effects include drowsiness and should not be taken when
driving (this is for our older patients!). Half doses can be given if drowsiness is excessive often with enough
results. Wheezing and allergy symptoms should be reported to the doctor during an appointment in the
office.
Combining medicines
Medications that are for fever only (#1) can be combined with runny nose (#3) medicines and/or
cough (#2) medicines. However, combination medicines that are not on our list may double up on the same
medicines and should not be given at the same time.
7-08
Doctor's Dosing Chart 2008
233 East Erie Street Suite 304
Chicago, Il 60611
William H. Barrows, M.D.
Donald K . Brown, M.D.
Kathleen Kuo Starr, M.D.
Megan K. Lynch, M.D.
#1 Fever or Pain
1 tsp=5 ml=5 cc
5-10 Lbs
10-15 Lbs
15-20 Lbs 20-25 Lbs 25-30 Lbs
30-35 Lbs
Acetominophen(Tylenol,Tempra)
Frequency every 3-4 hours as needed for Fever or Pain
Infant drops
0.2-0.4ml
0.4-0.8ml
0.8-1.0ml 1.0-1.2ml 1.2-1.6ml
NA
80mg/0.8ml
Childrens Suspension NA
NA
1/4-1/2tsp 2/3-3/4tsp 3/4-1tsp
1tsp
80mg/1/2 tsp(2.5ml)
Childrens Chewable Tablet
80mg/Tablet
NA
NA
1 Tab
1 1/2 Tab
1 1/2-2 Tab 2 Tab
Junior Strength Chewable Tablet or Swallowable Caplet
160mg/Tablet
NA
NA
NA
NA
1 Tab
1Tab
Adult Strength Capsule
325mg/Capsule
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Extra Strength Capsulle
500mg/Capsule
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Rectal Supository
80 mg
120 mg
Ibuprophen(Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) Frequency every 6 hours as needed for Fever or Pain
Childrens Drops
50mg/1.25ml
NA
1.25ml
1.5ml
2.0ml
2.5ml
NA
Childrens Suspension
100mg/tsp(=5ml)
1/4-1/2tsp
1/2-3/4tsp
3/4-1tsp
1 1/4tsp
1 1/4-1/2tsp 1 1/2tsp
Junior Strength Chewable Tablet
100mg/tablet
NA
NA
NA
1 Tablet
1 1/2 Tab
Regular Strength Tablets
200mg/Tablet or Capsule
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
#2 Cough Suppressants Frequency every 6 hours
Robitussin Infant Cough
10mg Dextromethorphan+200mg Guaifenesin/5ml
1/4 tsp
2/3 tsp
3/4 tsp
1 tsp
Robitussin Pediatric Cough
7.5mg Dextromethorphan/5ml
1/2 tsp
3/4 tsp
1 tsp
1 1/2 tsp
2 tsp
Robitussin DM Adult
10mgDextromethorphan+100mgGuaifenesin/5ml
1/4 tsp
2/3 tsp
3/4 tsp
1 tsp
#3 Decongestants for Runny noses Frequency every 6 hours
Pediatric Sudafed Drops
7.5mg Pseudoephedrine/0.8ml
0.4 ml
0.6 ml
0.8 ml
1.2 ml
1.6 ml
Sudafed Childrens
15mg pseudoepehrine/5ml
1/4 tsp
1/4-1/2tsp 1/2-2/3tsp 2/3-3/4tsp
3/4-1 tsp
Sudafed Nasal Decongestant Chewable Tablets
15mg Pseudoepehrine/Tablet
NA
NA
1/2 tab
3/4 tab
1 tab
Sudafed Tablets
30mg Pseudephedrine/Tablet
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Dimetapp Infant Drops
7.5mg Pseudoephedrine/0.8ml
0.4 ml
0.6 ml
0.8 ml
1.2 ml
1.6 ml
Dimetapp Elixer
Bromphenaramine 1mg+15mg Pseudoephederine/Tablet
1/2-2/3tsp 2/3-3/4tsp
3/4-1 tsp
#4 Antihistamine for Allergy Symptoms or Cough Frequency every 6 hours
Benadryl Elixer
12.5mg Diphenaramine/5ml
1/4 tsp
1/2 tsp
2/3 tsp
3/4 tsp
1 tsp
Benadryl Tablets
25mg Diphenaramine/Tablet
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
24 Hr. Ph.
(312)-280-1480
Fax (312)-280-1485
35-40 Lbs 40-50 Lbs
50-60 Lbs
60-70 Lbs
70-80 Lbs 80-90 Lbs
90-100 Lbs
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1-1 1/4tsp
1 1/4-1 1/2tsp 1 1/2-1 3/4tsp 1 3/4-2tsp
2-2 1/4tsp
2 1/4-2 1/2tsp
3 tsp
2 Tab
3 Tab
3 1/2 Tab
4 Tab
4 1/2 Tab
5 Tab
NA
1 Tab
1 1/4 Tab
1 1/2 Tab
2 Tab
NA
NA
NA
1 Tab
NA
NA
NA
325 mg
NA
NA
NA
1 Tab
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1 3/4tsp
2tsp
2 1/2tsp
3tsp
2 Tab
2 1/2 Tab
3 Tab
2 1/2 Tab
NA
1 Tab
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1 tsp
1 1/4 tsp
1 1/4 tsp
1 1/2 tsp
2 tsp
2 tsp
2 1/4 tsp
2.0 ml
2.4 ml
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1-1 1/4tsp
1 1/4 tsp
1 1/2 tsp
2 tsp
2 1/4 tsp
2 1/2 tsp
3 tsp
1 tab
1 1/2 tab
2 tab
2 tab
2 1/2 tab
NA
NA
NA
NA
1 tab
1 tab
1 tab
1 tab
2 tab
2.0 ml
2.4 ml
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1-1/4tsp
1 1/4 tsp
1 1/2 tsp
2 tsp
2 1/4 tsp
2 1/2 tsp
3 tsp
1 1/4 tsp
1 1/2 tsp
2 tsp
2 1/4 tsp
2/1/2 tsp
3 tsp
3 tsp
NA
NA
1 tablet
1 tablet
1 tablet
1 tablet
2 tablets
Office hrs:M-F 9:15-4:30 PM
Sat 9:00-1:00 PM
www.streetervillepediatrics.yourmd.com
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