diphenhydramine/phenylephrine (Children's Dimetapp Nighttime Cold and Congestion)
Classes: Antihistamine/Decongestant Combos
- Dosing and uses of Children’s Dimetapp Nighttime Cold & Congestion (diphenhydramine/phenylephrine)
- Children’s Dimetapp Nighttime Cold & Congestion (diphenhydramine/phenylephrine) adverse (side) effects
- Warnings
- Pregnancy
- Pharmacology of Children’s Dimetapp Nighttime Cold & Congestion (diphenhydramine/phenylephrine)
Dosing and uses of Children’s Dimetapp Nighttime Cold and Congestion (diphenhydramine/phenylephrine)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
diphenhydramine/phenylephrine
oral liquid
- (6.25mg/2.5mg)/5mL
Cold/Congestion
Indicated for symptoms occurring with a cold, hay fever, or other upper respiratory allergies
4 teaspoonfuls (ie, 20 mL) PO q4hr PRn
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
diphenhydramine/phenylephrine
oral liquid
- (6.25mg/2.5mg)/5mL
Cold/Congestion
Indicated for symptoms occurring with a cold, hay fever, or other upper respiratory allergies
<6 years: Do not use
6-12 years: 2 teaspoonfuls (ie, 10 mL) PO q4hr PRn
12 years or older: 4 teaspoonfuls (ie, 20 mL) PO q4hr PRn
Children’s Dimetapp Nighttime Cold and Congestion (diphenhydramine/phenylephrine) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Hypertension
Severe peripheral and visceral vasoconstriction
Reflex tachycardia
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Excitability
Headache
Restlessness
Tremor
GI disturbances
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Repeated administration in patients with anemia or cardiac, pulmonary, or renal disease
Do not use with MAOIs or for 2 weeks after discontinuing MAOIs
Cautions
Phenylephrine may increase blood pressure
Diphenhydramine
- Marked drowsiness may occur; avoid other sedating drugs and alcohol
- Paradoxical excitability reaction may occur, especially in children
- Caution in narrow angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, stenosing peptic ulcer, pyloroduodenal obstruction, or bladder neck obstruction
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; use with caution
Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should seek advice of health professional before using OTC drugs
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Children’s Dimetapp Nighttime Cold and Congestion (diphenhydramine/phenylephrine)
Mechanism of action
Diphenhydramine: Histamine H1-receptor antagonist
Phenylephrine is a vasoconstrictor and a decongestant that relieves symptoms resulting from irritation of upper respiratory tract tissue; shrinks swollen mucous membranes, reduces nasal congestion and tissue hyperemia