Patient and Family Education

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dosage Table

This handout contains child doses of an over-the-counter medicine. Use these instructions only with guidance from your child’s primary healthcare provider who prescribed this medicine. Check with your healthcare provider first before giving any type of medicine to your child.

How to use the table To give the proper dose of diphenhydramine, you must know your child’s current weight. Age limit: Do NOT use if child is under 12 months of age unless you consult your healthcare provider. Avoid using in children under 6 years of age unless instructed by a healthcare provider. Dosage: Find your child’s weight in the top row of the dosage table. Look at what form of medicine you have: liquid, tablet or capsule. Follow where those two points come together. That box is how much to give your child. In order to always give your child the right dose, be sure to look at milligram (mg) strength on the bottle’s label. There are other concentrations of this medicine. How often: Repeat every 6 to 8 hours as needed for up to 48 hours unless directed to take longer by your child’s healthcare provider.

Generic name: Diphenhydramine Common brand name: Benadryl

Child's weight in Pounds 20-24 lbs 25-37 lbs 38-49 lbs 50-99 lbs 100+ lbs Abbreviated = lbs

Child’s weight in Kilograms 9-11 kgs 12-16 kgs 17-22 kgs 23-45 kgs 46+ kgs Abbreviated = kgs

Give 4 ml 5 ml 7.5 ml 10 ml Liquid 12.5 mg/5 ml adult use oral syringe use dosing cup use dosing cup use dosing cup dose

Chewable 12.5 mg tablets Do not use 1 tablet 1.5 tablets 2 tablets 4 tablets

Capsules or tablets 25 mg Do not use Do not use Do not use 1 tablet 2 tablets

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These are Notes of Caution: appropriate measuring tools • This handout is not intended to replace your provider’s prescribing for medicine: information. Please refer to your provider’s advice and the package insert for complete prescribing information. • There are 3 forms of diphenydramine – liquid, chewable tablets, and capsules or tablets you swallow. It is very important to use the measuring device that comes with the bottle. Size 5 ml or 10 ml syringes work well, too. Do not use your kitchen silverware or measuring spoons, they will give a wrong dose. • Consult healthcare provider if your child has underlying medical problems (especially seizures, thyroid or urinary tract conditions). Consult healthcare provider if your child has had adverse reactions to this or any antihistamine medicines in the past. • Adverse reactions are not common but can include: excitability, restlessness, dizziness. • Side effects could be: drowsiness, sedation, dry mouth. Use lowest dose to minimize drowsiness. • Keep this and all medicine out of reach of children. Call the Washington Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 if you suspect your child has overdosed on a medicine. • Do not give aspirin to children due to risk of Reye’s Syndrome.

To Learn More Free Interpreter Services • Ask your child’s healthcare • In the hospital, ask your child’s nurse.

provider • From outside the hospital, call the toll-free Family Interpreting • www.seattlechildrens.org Line 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter the name or extension you need.

Approved by Seattle Children’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee

Seattle Children’s offers interpreter services for Deaf, hard of hearing or non-English speaking patients, family members and legal representatives free of charge. Seattle Children’s will make this information available in alternate formats upon request. Call the Family Resource Center at 206-987-2201. 10/19 This handout has been reviewed by clinical staff at Seattle Children’s. However, your child’s needs are unique. Before you act PE1304 or rely upon this information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider. © 2019 Seattle Children’s, Seattle, Washington. All rights reserved.

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