Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dosage Table

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.

Generic name: Diphenhydramine Common brand name: Benadryl

Age limit

Do not give diphenhydramine to children less than 6 years of age unless your health care provider tells you to.* There are other medicines similar to diphenhydramine that will not make your child sleepy (like loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine). These can be bought without a prescription and are safer for young children.

Dosage

This medicine comes in different strengths and forms including liquid, capsules, chewable tablets and tablets you swallow. To give the proper dose to your child, look at milligrams (mg) strength on the bottle's label. Use the measuring device that comes with the bottle. Do not use your kitchen measuring spoons or silverware.

How often

Repeat every 6 to 8 hours as needed for up to 48 hours (2 days) unless directed to take longer by your child's healthcare provider.

How to use the table

Child's weight in Pounds Abbreviated = lbs

Kilograms = kgs

Liquid 12.5 mg/5 mL

To give the proper dose of diphenhydramine, you must know your child's current weight.

20 to 24 lbs

9 to 11 kgs

25 to 37 lbs

12 to 16 kgs

38 to 49 lbs

17 to 22 kgs

50 to 99 lbs

23 to 45 kgs

100+ lbs

46+ kgs

4 mL use oral syringe

5 mL

7.5 mL

10 mL

Give adult

use dosing cup use dosing cup use dosing cup dose

Chewable 12.5 mg tablets

Do not use

Capsules or tablets 25 mg Do not use

1 tablet

1? tablets

2 tablets

4 tablets

Do not use Do not use 1 tablet

2 tablets

To Learn More

? Ask your child's healthcare provider ?

Free Interpreter Services

? In the hospital, ask your nurse.

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

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Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dosage Table

Notes of Caution

? 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.

Approved by Seattle Children's Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee 5/16/2023

*Dosing recommendations align with FDA OTC labeling and AAP

Seattle Children's offers free interpreter services for patients, family members and legal representatives who are deaf or hard of hearing or speak a language other than English. Seattle Children's will make this information available in alternate formats upon request. Call the Family Resource Center at 206-987-2201. This handout has been reviewed by clinical staff at Seattle Children's. However, your needs are unique. Before you act or rely upon this information, please talk with your healthcare provider. ? 2023 Seattle Children's, Seattle, Washington. All rights reserved.

Patient and Family Education

5/23 PE1304

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