Brand name:
Pronounced: PEE-dee-uh-care
Generic ingredients: Chlorpheniramine maleate, Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
Other brand name: Pediacare NightRest Cough-Cold Liquid
These Pediacare products temporarily relieve a child's cough, stuffy or runny nose, and sneezing due to a cold or allergies such as hay fever.
Pediacare NightRest Cough-Cold Liquid contains more of the cough reliever dextromethorphan than does the Multisymptom Cold Liquid, but can be given either day or night.
Use the measuring cup that comes with these products to be sure the dosage is correct.
Pediacare Multisymptom Cold Liquid can be given every 4 to 6 hours. Give Pediacare NightRest liquid every 6 to 8 hours. Do not give more than 4 doses of either product each day.
Check with your doctor before giving these products to children
under 6. The usual dosages are as follows:
Children 11 years old: 3 teaspoonfuls
Children 9 to 10: 2-1/2 teaspoonfuls
Children 6 to 8: 2 teaspoonfuls
Children 4 to 5: 1-1/2 teaspoonfuls
Children 2 to 3: 1 teaspoonful
Unless your doctor approves, do not use these products for the frequent, long-lasting coughing that marks conditions such as asthma, or for coughs that bring up lots of phlegm. Also check first with your doctor if the child has heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, high pressure within the eye (glaucoma), or a breathing problem such as chronic bronchitis.
If the child becomes dizzy or nervous, or has trouble sleeping, stop giving these products and check with your doctor.
If cough and other symptoms don't improve within 7 days or tend to come back--or if the child also has a fever, rash, or lasting headache--check with your doctor. A lingering cough could signal a serious condition.
These products can cause either overexcitement or drowsiness.
Do not give any of these products within 2 weeks of a drug classified as an MAO inhibitor, such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate.
If the child is taking a tranquilizer such as Valium or Xanax, or a sleep aid such as Halcion or Seconal, do not give these products without your doctor's approval; the combination could cause extreme drowsiness.
* Symptoms of overdose may include:
Anxiety, rapid heartbeat, mild high blood pressure, nervous
system problems, visual disturbances, failure to urinate, nausea,
vomiting
If you suspect an overdose, get medical help immediately.