ANTIHISTAMINE, DECONGESTANT & COUGH SUPPRESSANT

Your privacy is a PRIMARY consideration of AskDrSears.com. Your e-mail address is used ONLY by AskDrSears.com for the purpose of announcing news, events and special offers available only AskDrSears.com registered users.

$1.00 off any Aquaphor Product

Ideal for all babies� skin care needs, Aquaphor Healing Ointment is so gentle and effective that it�s been trusted by pediatricians for years.

Soothes, protects and helps heal dry, irritated skin Effective relief for the dry skin associated with atopic dermatitis Clinically proven to help reduce diaper rash within 6 hours, without the zinc-oxide mess Helps heal raw, chapped cheeks and chin caused by drooling Fragrance-free, preservative-free and dye-free formula

Click here to print your coupon.

I only use a combination medication like this if my child's symptoms are interfering with sleep, eating or if they are generally miserable with congestion. The antihistamine and decongestant combination will temporarily relieve most symptoms of the common cold. It opens up nasal congestion and dries up nasal secretions. It also helps reduce cough caused by secretions running down the throat. The Dextromethorphan (DM for short) is the cough suppressant part of these medications. It will offer temporary relief to that nagging cough caused by a "tickle" in the throat. The combination of DM and the other ingredients will usually help your child get some much-needed rest for a few hours. The Acetaminophen in some of these cold medications will help relieve the aches and fever that your child may have. If you are using this combination cold medication but still need to do more for the fever, then a dose of Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) would be okay to give. Click for a detailed discussion on Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen or Fever.

DR. SEARS HELPFUL TIP FOR TREATING COLDS

When I give my children cold medications, I have found that the nasal passages can become too dry, that's why it is important to use saline nasal spray throughout the day and a humidifier in the bedroom at night (see natural cold treatments).

Under six months	Not recommended
6-11 months (17-21lbs)	1 tsp (5ml)
12-23 months (22-27lbs)	1 1/4 tsp (6.25ml)
2-5 years (28-47lbs)	1 1/2 tsp (7.5ml)
6-11 years (48-95lbs)	3 tsp (15ml)
12 years and up (>95lbs)	2 Tablespoon (30ml)

Under six months	Not recommended
6-11 months (17-21lbs)	1 tsp (5ml)
12-23 months (22-27lbs)	1 1/4 tsp (6.25ml)
2-5 years (28-47lbs)	1 1/2 tsp (7.5ml)
6-11 years (48-95lbs)	3 tsp (15ml)
12 years and up (>95lbs)	2 Tablespoon (30ml)

<6 months(<14lbs)	Not recommended
6-11 months (14-17lbs)	1.25 ml (1/4 tsp) every 6 hours
12-23 months (18-23lbs)	2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) every 6 hours
2-6 years (24-47lbs)	5 ml (1 tsp) every 6 hours
6-12 years (48-95lbs)	10ml (2 tsp) every 6 hours
>12 years(>95lbs)	20ml (4 tsp) every 6 hours

<6 months (>14lbs)	Not recommended
6-11 months (14-17lbs)	1.25 ml (1/4 tsp) every 6 hours
12-23 months (18-23lbs)	2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) every 6 hours
2-6 years (24-47lbs)	5 ml (1 tsp) every 6 hours
6-12 years (48-95lbs)	10ml (2 tsp) every 6 hours
>12 years (>95lbs)	20ml (4 tsp) every 6 hours

<6 months (>14lbs)	Not recommended
6-11 months (14-17lbs)	1.25ml (1/4 tsp) every 4-6 hours
12-23 months (18-23lbs)	2.5ml (1/2 tsp) every 4-6 hours
2-3 years (24-35lbs)	5ml (1 tsp) every 4-6 hours
4-5 years (36-47lbs)	7.5ml (1 1/2 tsp) every 4-6 hours
6-8 years (48-59lbs)	10ml (2 tsp) every 4-6 hours
9-10 years (60-71lbs)	12.5ml (2 1/2 tsp) every 4-6 hours
11 years (72-95lbs)	15ml (3tsp) every 4-6 hours
>12 years (>95lbs)	20ml (4 tsp) every 4-6 hours

Under two years	Not recommended (choking hazard)
2-3 years (24-35lbs)	1 tablet every 4-6 hours
4-5 years (36-47lbs)	1 1/2 tablet every 4-6 hours
6-8 years (48-59lbs)	2 tablets every 4-6 hours
9-10 years (60-71lbs)	2 1/2 tablets every 4-6 hours
11 years (72-95lbs)	3 tablets every 4-6 hours
>12 years(>95lbs)	4 tablets every 4-6 hours

Note: This combination is safe to use in children six months old, however, this particular brand does not recommend it for under two years in the package insert. The other brands listed for this combination of ingredients will give a dose for down to six months, perhaps you should use one of these brands instead.

Under 2 years	Use alternate brand or consult physician
2-3 years (24-35lbs)	5ml (1 tsp) every 6-8 hours
4-5 years (36-47lbs)	7.5ml (1 1/2 tsp) every 6-8 hours
6-8 years (48-59lbs)	10ml (2 tsp) every 6-8 hours
9-10 years (60-71lbs)	12.5ml (2 1/2 tsp) every 6-8 hours
11 years (72-95lbs)	15ml (3tsp) every 6-8 hours
12 years andup(>95lbs)	20ml (4 tsp) every 6-8 hours

<6months (<14lbs)	Not recommended
6-11 months (12-17lbs)	2.5ml (1/2 tsp) every 4-6 hours
12-23 months (18-23lbs)	3.75ml (3/4 tsp) every 4-6 hours
2-3 years (24-35lbs)	5ml (1 tsp) every 4-6 hours
4-5 years (36-47lbs)	7.5ml (1 1/2 tsp) every 4-6 hours
6-8 years (48-59lbs)	10ml (2 tsp) every 4-6 hours
9-10 years (60-71lbs)	12.5ml (2 1/2 tsp) every 4-6 hours
11 years (72-95lbs)	15ml (3tsp) every 4-6 hours
12 years and up(>95lbs)	20ml (4 tsp) every 4-6 hours

Under two years	Not recommended (choking hazard)
2-3 years (24-35lbs)	2 tablets every 4-6 hours
4-5 years (36-47lbs)	3 tablets every 4-6 hours
6-8 years (48-59lbs)	4 tablets every 4-6 hours
9-10 years (60-71lbs)	5 tablets every 4-6 hours
11 years (72-95lbs)	6 tablets every 4-6 hours
12 years and up(>95lbs)	Dose as adult