Medications that can be flavored by your pharmacist.  Click here to find which pharmacy is able to do this for you.

INFANT OR CHILDRENS’ TYLENOL© /ACETAMINOPHEN SUSPENSION LIQUID 160 MG PER 5ML

1. ■Under 12 lb give 1.25 ml (1/4 tsp) every 4 hours as needed
   

2. ■From 12 lb to 17lb give 2.5ml (1/2 tsp) every 4 hours as needed
   

3. ■From 18 lb to 22 lb give 3.75ml (3/4 tsp) every 4 hours as needed
   

4. ■From 23 lbs to 32 lbs give 5ml (1tsp) every 4 hours as needed
   

5. ■For 35 lbs and above follow package directions
   

In 2011 infant acetaminophen (Tylenol©) products were removed from the market to reduce dosing confusion. Follow dosing guide above for infant children using standard suspension liquid.

INFANTS’ MOTRIN / IBUPROFEN CONCENTRATED DROPS (50 MG/1.25 ML)

1. ■Only recommended for 6 months or older
   

2. ■From 11 lb to under 16 lb 8 oz give 1.25 ml every 6 hours as needed
   

3. ■From 16 lb8oz to under 22 lb give 1.875 ml every 6 hours as needed
   

4. ■From 22 lb to under 33 lb give 2.5 ml (2 droppers of 1.25 ml) every 6 hrs as needed
   

CHILDREN’S MOTRIN / IBUPROFEN SUSPENSION LIQUID (100 MG PER 5 ML)

1. ■Only recommended for 6 months or older
   

2. ■From 11lb to under 16 lb 8oz give 2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) every 6 hours as needed
   

3. ■From 16lb8oz to under 22lb give 3.75 ml (1/4 tsp) every 6 hours as needed
   

4. ■From 22lb to under 33 lb give 5 ml (1 tsp) every 6 hours as needed
   

5. ■From 33lb to under 38.5 lb give 7.5ml (1 1/2 tsp) every 6 hours as needed
   

6. ■38.5 lb and above follow package directions
   

BENADRYL© (DIPHENHYDRAMINE)

Benadryl© is an antihistamine that is primarily used for allergic disorders. This include allergic skin rashes like hives and poison oak. It is also helpful for seasonal allergies. In older children it can be used as an occasional sedative (like for that long plane ride). In general it should not be used for common cold symptoms at is not helpful and may increase chance for ear infection. It is to be given no more often than every six hours. Not routinely recommend for children under one year of age unless advised by your healthcare provider.

1. ■Less than 1 year old please call the office first
   

2. ■From 22 to 32 pounds give 3.75 ml (3/4 tsp) every 6 hours as needed
   

3. ■From 33 to 43 pounds give 5 ml (1 tsp) OR 1 chewable 12.5mg tablet every 6 hours as needed
   

4. ■From 44 to 54 pounds give 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) OR 1 1/2 chewable 12.5mg tablet every 6 hours as needed
   

5. ■From 55 to 109 pounds give 10 ml (2 tsp) OR 2 chewable 12.5mg tablets OR 1 25mg capsule every 6 hours as needed
   

6. ■For 110 pounds or greater give four chewable 12.5mg tablets OR two 25mg capsules every 6 hours as needed
   

CORRECT DOSE

1. •Read the pharmacy label carefully and double check the directions.
   * 1 teaspoon equals 5 milliliters (mL).
   * 1 tablespoon equals 15 milliliters (mL).
   * Some medicine syringes may be marked in “cc” (1 cc equals 1 mL).
   * It is best to use a device marked in mL to measure the correct amount of medicine.
   * Hollow-handled medicine spoons work well,
   * Plastic medicine syringes (or droppers) allow gentle, accurate placement of medicine in the mouth.
   * Be sure to get an accurate, easy to use measuring device from the pharmacist when you get your child’s prescription.
   

GIVING MEDICINE

1. ■Use a matter-of-fact, positive approach (expect that your child WILL take the medicine)
   

2. ■Be enthusiastic (“this will help you get well!”)
   

3. ■Always have child sitting up (to avoid choking)
   

4. ■Pour or drip medicine slowly onto the back of the tongue (toddlers).
   

5. ■For infants, syringe the dose in their back cheek pocket, and blow a quick puff of air in their face.
   

6. ■Try putting the medicine in a nipple pulled from an infant bottle. Keep your finger over the underside to prevent leaks, and give them the nipple to suck. This works well when they’re asleep, too. You can buy fancier syringe versions of this, too, but why bother?
   

MEDICINE THAT TASTES BAD

1. ■Some bad tasting medications can be flavored by the pharmacist for a small fee.  Click here to find which pharmacy is able to do this for you.
   

2. ■Giving medication cold may reduce the unpleasant taste.
   

3. ■Mix with something else to disguise the flavor. Some ideas: chocolate pudding, flavored syrups, chocolate syrup, jelly, ice cream, honey (for children older than one year only)
   

4. ■Can allow child to choose flavor to mix in.
   

5. ■If crushing a pill, try the above tips, or even better: scoop out the center of an Oreo’s filling, and replace with crushed pill.
   

6. ■Follow medicine with child’s favorite drink
   

7. ■Hug, and praise your child afterwards
   

LEARNING TO SWALLOW PILLS

1. ■Practice with balled up pieces of white bread, from tiny to large, and have your child work their way up.
   

2. ■Have them place the bread, a tic-tac, a mini M&M, or the pill itself at the back or side of their tongue, then drink from a straw. The straw helps it go down without stressing as much.
   

3. ■Most capsules float, so lean forward when swallowing. Pills sink, so leaning back can help.
   

4. ■Pills may go down easier in milk or yogurt, since they are more slippery.
   

HOW TO HANDLE MEDICINE REFUSAL

Some toddlers steadfastly refuse; even with above steps. The first step is to determine if medication is essential for recovery. Most symptomatic treatments and OTC medications are not essential while most prescription medications including antibiotics often are.

Always be sympathetic (“yes, it tastes bad, you can choose what to mix it with”). Be kind, firm, and matter of fact (“you can choose to take it now or in 5 minutes, but you must take it to help you get well”). Give a 5 minute time out; if child is not ready by then, CALMLY take action if refusal continues and medication is essential:

1. 1.GENTLY immobilize child
   

2. 2.Have helper hold child on lap; holding child’s arms with one hand and head with the other
   

3. 3.Be sure child is sitting up
   

4. 4.Open child’s mouth (push down on chin; or run your finger inside cheek, then push down on lower jaw)
   

5. 5.Insert syringe, SLOWLY drip medicine onto the back of the tongue
   

6. 6.Keep mouth closed until child swallows (keep child sitting up, with head upright)
   

Sympathize (“I’m sure that was not fun, next time we won’t need to do that if you choose to take the medicine”). If child spits/vomits medicine, estimate the amount and repeat that amount if occurs very soon after swallowing medication. Follow with a warm hug (AVOID: scolding, yelling, or spanking).

WHEN TO CALL

1. ■Child vomits medicine more than once (generally if child vomits medication within 20 minutes of taking it is okay to repeat the dose once). If you are unsure call the office.
   

2. ■You cannot get your child to take an essential medicine