diphenhydramine/phenylephrine (Children's Dimetapp Nighttime Cold and Congestion)

Dosing and uses of Children’s Dimetapp Nighttime Cold and Congestion (diphenhydramine/phenylephrine)

• Adult
• Pediatric

 

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