PSEUDOEPHEDRINE DOSAGE (DECONGESTANT)

Child's weight more than (pounds)

18

27

36

54

72

140

pounds

Total amount (mg)

7.5

12

15

22

30

60

mg.

Infant Drops 7.5 mg./0.8 ml

0.8

1.2

1.6

--

--

--

ml

Liquid 15mg/5ml (tsp)

½

¾

1

1½

2

--

tsp

Chewable 15 mg.

--

--

1

1½

2

4

tablets

Tablets 30 mg.

--

--

--

--

1

2

tablets

Tablet 60 mg.

--

--

--

--

--

1

tablets

 

·     AGE LIMIT: Don't use under 6 years of age.

-      Reason 1: Not approved by FDA because dosage not studied in this age range

-      Reason 2: Risk of dosage error causing high blood pressure

-      CAUTION: Never give 2 cough or cold medicines at the same time. (Reason: May share an ingredient and cause poisoning). Avoid multi-ingredient products in children under 6 years of age (FDA recommendations 1/2008.)

·     REFERENCE: Srinivasan A, et. al. Infant deaths associated with cough and cold medications—two states, 2005. MMWR Weekly, January 12, 2007:56(01);1-4. Available at www.cdc.gov/mmwr.

·     DOSAGE: Determine by finding child's weight in the top row of the dosage table

·     ADULT DOSAGE:  60 mg maximum

·     FREQUENCY: Repeat every 6 hours as needed

·     AVAILABILITY: Pseudoephedrine products are found behind the counter of pharmacies in response to legislation enacted in 2006. Ask a pharmacist for assistance in obtaining these medications.

·     CALCULATING DOSAGE: 0.5mg/lb/dose (1 mg/kg/dose)