Itching/Allergies Medicine

Medicine Name: cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin)	May Give Every	6-23 months*	2-5 years	6+ years
Liquid 1 mg/1 milliliter (mL)	24 hours	2.5 mL (1/2 tsp.)*	2.5-5 mL (1/2-1 tsp.)	5-10 mL (1-2 tsp.)
5 mg Tablet or Chewable	24 hours	-	1 tab.	1-2 tab.
10 mg Tablet, Chewable, or ODT	24 hours	-	-	1 tab.

AGE LIMITS. For allergies, don't use under 6 months of age. *Talk with your child's doctor before giving medications to children under the age of 2.*
DOSE. Find the child's age in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct age for the dose based on the product you have.
MEASURE the DOSE. Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at drug stores. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. (Reason: regular spoons are not reliable.) Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 mL.
HOW OFTEN. Repeat every 24 hours as needed. Could also give half the max dose every 12 hours if preferred.

Medicine Name: fexofenadine (Allegra)	May Give Every	2-6 years	6-12 years	12+ years
Liquid 30 mg/5 milliliters (mL)	12 hours	5 mL (1 tsp.)	5 mL (1 tsp.)	-
30 mg Chewable	12 hours	-	1 tab.	-
60 mg Tablet	12 hours	-	-	1 tab.*

AGE LIMITS. For allergies, don't use under 2 years of age.
DOSE. Find the child's age in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct age for the dose based on the product you have. *Tablets also available in 120 mg and 180 mg strengths; only give one dose of either of those strengths every 24 hours.
MEASURE the DOSE. Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at drug stores. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. (Reason: regular spoons are not reliable.) Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 mL.
HOW OFTEN. Repeat every 12 hours as needed.

Medicine Name: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)	May Give Every	20/24 lbs.	25-37 lbs.	38-49 lbs.	50-99 lbs.	100+ lbs.
Liquid 12.5 mg/ 1 teaspoon (tsp)	6-8 hours	3/4 tsp.	1 tsp.	1-1/2 tsp.	2 tsp.	-
Liquid 12.5 mg/ 5 milliliters (mL)	6-8 hours	4 mL	5 mL	7.5 mL	10 mL	-
Chewable 12.5 mg	6-8 hours	-	1 tab.	1-1/2 tab.	2 tab.	4 tab.
Tablets 25 mg	6-8 hours	-	1/2 tab.	1/2 tab.	1 tab.	2 tab.
Capsules 25 mg	6-8 hours	-	-	-	1 cap.	2 cap.

AGE LIMITS. For allergies, don't use under 1 year of age. (Reason: it causes most babies to be sleepy). For colds, not advised at any age. (Reason: no proven benefits). They should be not be given if under 4 years old. If under 6 years, don't give products with more than one ingredient in them. (Reason: FDA recommendations 10/2008).
DOSE. Find the child's weight in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have.
MEASURE the DOSE. Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at drug stores. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. (Reason: regular spoons are not reliable.) Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 mL.
ADULT DOSE. 50 mg
HOW OFTEN. Repeat every 6 hours as needed.
CHILDREN’S BENADRYL FASTMELTS. Each fastmelt tablet equals 12.5 mg. They are dosed the same as chewable tablets.

Itching / Allergies