Resources > Medicine Dosages > Cold Medicines
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: The FDA acknowledges that the ingredients in these cough and cold products have not been tested by today's standards to identify their levels of efficacy and safety. While further studies are pending, the manufacturers are voluntarily relabeling their recommended use of these products to "Do Not Use" in children less than 4 years of age. Given the need for further research, the dosages listed below are the current recommendations of our practice.

Cold Medicines

 
Dosages for cold medicines for different weights and ages
Medicine Name May Give Every  14-17 lbs.
6-11 mo. 		 18-23 lbs.
12-23 mo. 		 24-35 lbs.
2-3 yr. 		 36-47 lbs.
4-5 yr. 		 48-59 lbs.
6-8 yr. 		 60-85 lbs.
9-11 yr. 
Benadryl Syrup 6 hours      1 1/2 tsp.  1 3/4 tsp.  2 tsp.  2 tsp. 
Dallergy Syrup 4 - 6 hours  Do not use  Do not use  Do not use  1/2 tsp.  1 tsp.  1 1/2tsp. 
Dimetapp Elixir 6 hours  Do Not Use  Do Not Use  Do Not Use 1 1/2 tsp.  2 tsp.  3 tsp. 
Nyquil (purple) Syrup 4 - 6 hours  Do Not Use Do Not Use Do Not Use 1-1/2 tsp.  2 tsp.  3 tsp. 
Pediacare Cough-Cold Syrup 4 - 6 hours  Do Not Use  Do Not Use  Do Not Use 1 1/2 tsp.  2 tsp.  2 1/2 tsp. 
Sudafed Syrup 6 hours  Do Not Use  Do Not Use  Do Not Use 3/4 tsp.  1 tsp.  1 1/2 tsp. 

Benadryl Syrup

May Give Every 6 hours
  • 24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. - 1 1/2 tsp.
  • 36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. - 1 3/4 tsp.
  • 48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. - 2 tsp.
  • 60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. - 2 tsp.


Dallergy Syrup

May Give Every 4-6 hours
  • 14-17 lbs. 6-11 mo. - Do not use
  • 18-23 lbs. 12-23 mo. - Do not use
  • 24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. - Do not use
  • 36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. - 1/2 tsp.
  • 48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. - 1 tsp.
  • 60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. - 1 1/2 tsp.


Dimetapp Elixir

May Give Every 6 hours
  • 14-17 lbs. 6-11 mo. - Do not use
  • 18-23 lbs. 12-23 mo. - Do not use
  • 24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. - Do not use
  • 36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. - 1 1/2 tsp.
  • 48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. - 2 tsp.
  • 60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. - 3 tsp.


Nyquil (purple) Syrup

May Give Every 4-6 hours
  • 14-17 lbs. 6-11 mo. - Do not use
  • 18-23 lbs. 12-23 mo. - Do not use
  • 24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. - Do not use
  • 36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. - 1 1/2 tsp.
  • 48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. - 2 tsp.
  • 60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. - 3 tsp.


Pediacare Cough-Cold Syrup

May Give Every 4-6 hours
  • 14-17 lbs. 6-11 mo. - Do not use
  • 18-23 lbs. 12-23 mo. - Do not use
  • 24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. - Do not use
  • 36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. - 1 1/2 tsp.
  • 48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. - 2 tsp.
  • 60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. - 2 1/2 tsp.


Sudafed Syrup

May Give Every 6 hours
  • 14-17 lbs. 6-11 mo. - Do not use
  • 18-23 lbs. 12-23 mo. - Do not use
  • 24-35 lbs. 2-3 yr. - Do not use
  • 36-47 lbs. 4-5 yr. - 3/4 tsp.
  • 48-59 lbs. 6-8 yr. - 1 tsp.
  • 60-85 lbs. 9-11 yr. - 1 1/2 tsp.