Alternate Tylenol every 4 hours and Motrin every 6 hours according to weight (see dosage chart). Push fluids such as Gatorade, Pedialyte, juices, or popsicles. Watch for signs of dehydration including decreased urination, dark circles under eyes, and dry cracked lips. If no improvement in 3 days, call. For infants under 12 months, call if fever lasts longer than 24 hours.
The nursing staff at Family Care is committed to our patient's health and well-being. They provide helpful advice, knowledgeable triage, and compassionate care. The links below provide advice, directly from our nurses, on treating common health problems. Here you will also find recommended dosages for various over-the-counter medications for infants and children. Our Medication Tracking Log is also available to help manage and properly treat you or your child. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!
Dosages:
Infant and Children's Tylenol
| Weight | Elixer 160mg/5ml Children's Tylenol | Junior Strength 160mg | Suppository 80, 220, 325, 650mg | |
| 6-11lbs | ¼ tsp, 1.25ml | N/A | 80mg, ½ sup | |
| 12-17 lbs | ½ tsp, 2.5ml | N/A | 80mg, 1 sup | |
| 18-23 lbs | ¾ tsp, 3.75ml | N/A | 120mg, 1 sup | |
| 24-35 lbs | 1 tsp, 5ml | N/A | 325mg, ½ sup | |
| 36-47 lbs | 1½ tsp | N/A | 325mg, ¾ sup | |
| 48-59 lbs | 2 tsp | 2 tablets | 325mg, 1 sup | |
| 60-71 lbs | 2½ tsp | 2½ tablets | 325mg, 1 sup | |
| 72-95 lbs | 3 tsp | 3 tablets | 650mg, ¾ sup | |
| 96+ lbs | N/A | 4 tablets | 650mg, 1 sup |
Do not give Tylenol more often than every 4 hours or more than 5 doses per day.
**NOTE: Since Tylenol pediatric products are available without prescription, parents are warned on the package label to consult a physician for the use by children under 2 or for the use longer than 5 days. Contact your physician immediately in the case of an accidental overdose.
**The physicians at Family Care approve of the above chart for usage at the weight of 6lbs and above
Children's Zyrtec
| Age | Dose |
| 6 months-2 years | ½ tsp (2.5ml) |
| 2 years-5 years | 1 tsp (5ml) |
| 6 years and up | 1-2 tsp (5-10 ml) |
Children's Benadryl
(Not Recommended until 12 months of age)
| Weight | 12.5 mg=1 tsp or 25mg capsule |
| 6-11 lbs | Not recommended |
| 12-17 lbs | ½ tsp |
| 18-23 lbs | 1 tsp |
| 24-35 lbs | 1½ tsp |
| 36-47 lbs | 2 tsp or 1 capsule |
| 48-59 lbs | 3 tsp or 1 capsule |
| 60-71 lbs | 3-4 tsp or 2 capsules |
| 72-95 lbs | 4 tsp or 2 caplules |
| 96+ lbs | 4 tsp or 2 capsules |
We do not recommend any type of decongestant medications. Instead, we advise to push fluids, use nasal saline, cool mist humidity, or crack a window to cool the room at night.
Children's Ibuprofen (same as Advil and Motrin)
(Not Recommended until 6 months of age)
| Age | Weight | Infant Drops 50mg/1.25ml | Ibuprofen Liquid 100mg/5ml | Ibuprofen Chewable 50mg | Ibuprofen Chewable 100mg |
| 6-11 mo | 13-17 lbs | 1.25ml | ½ tsp | 1 tablet | ½ tablet |
| 12-23 mo | 18-23 lbs | 1.875ml | ¾ tsp | 1½ tablets | ¾ tablet |
| 2-3 yrs | 24-35 lbs | N/A | 1 tsp | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 4-5 yrs | 36-47 lbs | N/A | 1½ tsp | 2½ tablets | 1½ tablets |
| 6-8 yrs | 48-59 lbs | N/A | 2 tsp | 4 tablets | 2 tablets |
| 9-10 yrs | 60-71 lbs | N/A | 2½ tsp | 5 tablets | 2½ tablets |
| 11-12 yrs | 72-95 lbs | N/A | 3 tsp | 6 tablets | 3 tablets |
One dose may be given every 6-8 hours as needed for fever control. Do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours.
Claritin Liquid
2-6 years: 1 tsp daily, do not take more than 1 tsp in 24 hours
6+ years: 2 tsp daily, do not take more than 2 tsp in 24 hours
Claritin 24 hour
6+ years: 1 tablet daily, do not exceed more than 1 tablet in 24 hours
Children's Zyrtec Liquid
6-24 months: ½ teaspoon at bedtime
2-6 years: ½ to 1 tsp daily, maximum dose is ½ tsp every 12 hous or 1 tsp in 24 hours, do not exceed more than 1 tsp in 24 hours
6+ years: 1-2 tsp daily depending on severity of symptoms, do not exceed 2 tsp in 24 hours
Children's Zyrtec Chewables
6+ years: 1 10mg tablet daily, do not exceed 10mg in 24 hours. A 5mg tablet may be more appropriate for less severe symptoms.
Delsym
6-12 years: 5ml every 12 hours, do not exceed 10ml in 24 hours
12+ years: 10ml every 12 hours, do not exceed 20ml in 24 hours
When to Call
›Infants 12mo and under with fever, cough, or wheezing
›Wheezing or any other breathing problems
›Fever lasting longer than 5 days, breaks and comes back after 24 hours
›Whenever you have questions or concerns
Helpful Hints
›Fever=NO SCHOOL!
›When ill, push fluids and get plenty of rest
›Always allow 48 hours for all medication refills, contact your pharmacy when your supply runs low
Limit moisture to the affected area. Avoid baby wipes, use warm wash cloth or paper towels. Use a barrier cream such as Vaseline on top of a mixture of hydrocortisone 1% ointment and Lotrimin.
Alternate between Tylenol every 4 hours and Motrin every 6 hours to control fever. Elevate head of the bed, use nasal spray to loosen mucus, humidify air, push fluids.
Use Rid as instructed. Disinfect combs, clothes, carpet, etc. Bag up non-washable items for 10 days.
If over 2 years old, can start Zaditor OTC eye drops. Warm compresses, wiping inside to out, use new wash cloth each time, use antihistamine for itching, wash hands frequently, push fluids and rest. If there is drainage or if contacts are used, call for an appointment.
Use any of the following: Benadryl as needed, hydrocortisone 1%, Band-aid anti-itch gel, calmoseptine 3 times a day.
Once seen in the office with dx of strep: Increase fluids, alternate Tylenol every 4 hours and Motrin every 6 hours, try chloraseptic spray, warm salt water gargles, and throat lozenges. If nasal drainage develops, use benadryl, cool mist humidifier. Complete all antibiotics, replace toothbrush, call if not better in 4-5 days.
Observe for first few days, use benadryl at night, hydrocortisone cream topically, push fluids, cotton clothes, wash sheets. If not better in a few days, call for appointment.
Apply Lotrimin cream 2-3 times daily for 7 days. Avoid scratching, bathe daily, push fluids. If no improvement in 7 days, call for appointment.
Use antihistamines as needed, nasal spray, push fluids.
Apply Aloe Vera lotion or gel, also try solarcaine spray.
Give Tylenol for a low grade temperature, call if temp is greater 100.6 for more than 24 hours. Expect loose stools.
½ cup water, ½ tsp baking powder, 3 drops dishwashing liquid (no Dawn), mix. Wipe mouth and gums after each feeding for 7 days. If no improvement, or if baby is not feeding well or is irritable, call for appointment. Be sure to sterilize bottles, nipples, pacifiers, pump equipment etc, wash breasts, apply Lotrimin after each feeding, push fluids.
Use OTC antihistamines, nasal spray, humidify air, push fluids. Call for appointment if symptoms persist.
Stay hydrated with pedialyte or Gatorade, a few spoonfuls at a time. Avoid solid food until you are able to keep fluids down for 4 hours. Then, start with crackers, toast, or dry cereal, continue with BRAT (bread, rice, applesause, toast) for next 24 hours, avoid milk products