Hi! Hope I didn't miss Dr. B already, but I have a question about Zyrtec dosage. I have some samples that are 1mg/ml and I was going to try it tonight, but was unsure of the correct dosage. Well, the nurse told me 1tsp. He weighs about 33 pounds and will be 4 in 2 months. What concerns me is, his cousin who weighs about 31, 32 pounds, his doc told his mom to give 1/2 tsp. He is 3 1/2. Can anyone tell me which is the best dosage to give? I gave him Claritin last night about 7pm. It's alright to give the Zyrtec about the same time tonight, isn't it? Thanks!

Hi,

Either 1/2 or 1 teaspoon would be fine to give.

Hey Christi,

I hope you have good luck with that Zyrtec!! How's that little man been doing?

Hi Dr. B and Amy! Cameron started coughing Sunday and has had a little runny nose. His coughing just sounds soooo harsh and croupy. Sunday it sounded like maybe there was a little congestion, but then it started sounding just croupy. I've listened with my stethoscope and he sounds clear as a bell. So, I started the Zyrtec lastnight and ran the humidifier and he slept fine. I heard him cough only a few times during the night. He's eating ok and playing so far. He has had this cough before last year and I gave him Claritin and Delsym and he got better. Well, I haven't kept him on Claritin everyday, because I heard it may stop working after a while. So, I give it to him if I see symptoms appear. His cough makes my chest hurt; it's harsh. He has coughed some today, but this afternoon I let him outside for a while and I noticed his cough got more frequent. Late yesterday, he was outside for a few minutes and he started coughing and he spit up or threw up and it was just clear and foamy. What does this sound like Dr. B? I'm just thinking it's allergies, but I may be wrong?! Is it normal for a child to have a cold and have a cough that sounds croupy? Also, should the Zyrtec start working immediately? Thanks Amy for asking about Cam. How is Zack?

Dr. B, I have another question please. I listened to my son tonight while he was sleeping, only his back side, and I THINK I heard either rhonchi or rales. It's hard to tell because he wasn't still for long and I've been out of practice for a while with breath sounds {I'm an RT}. I remember rhonchi is congestion, but how about rales? Are rales common with a cold, or would it be something serious like pneumonia? Thank you!

Hmmmmm Christi, I sure can't hear what he sounds like....but from what you are describing. It sounds like it might be worth taking him for a check. It could've turned into bronchitis. I don't think I'll ever forget that sound since Zach had it so frequently. I hope the Zyrtec works. Do you have any breathing treatments for him? Albuterol? I can't remember if you've gotten him to an allergist or anything from the last time that we talked about all the coughing.

Zach is finally feeling better...after 12 days of battling that darn constipation. I am giving him a daily fiber supplement and it seems to be helping.

I hope Cam is over this soon....keep an 'ear' on that cough. They can change over SOOOO quick. This is just what you need on top of everything else lately huh!!??!!

Hey Amy! I haven't taken Cam to an allergist yet. I mentioned it to his doc a while back, but he didn't think it was necessary right now. I think he thought he was too young to be put through the sticking. I don't have any albuterol or machine either. I'm giving him Robitussin with just an expectorant in it to see if it will break up that congestion; if that's what it is?!! I've been giving him Zyrtec for 2 days and it's hard to say if it's helping. He isn't coughing as much, but I'm wondering if this was just a cold, because it started last Sunday? He may just be getting better finally. He does have some yellow mucus coming out of his nose. I especially noticed it this morning when he went outside, he started coughing more and crying because he was scared he was going to throw up. Some yellow stuff started coming out. I just don't know why his cough sounds croupy and harsh and not wet and junky? It's just so hard to tell what's going on. I'm glad Zack is getting better!! I know he's relieved! Literally!!

Hi,

Rhonchi is a junky sound and that can come with a cold. Rales are much tighter sounding and that is a sign of pneumonia. If the Zytec isn't helping by Monday, I would go in to the doctor.

Hi, Christi!

Poor kid, huh???

We get "zyrtec" over the counter here. children aged 2 to 6 are to have a maximum of 5mg per 24 hrs. However...a lot of people get better results from splitting the dose in half and giving it every 12 hours instead. Our allergist also recommended splitting the dose for Sir Ethan's mosquito spit allergy.

Hey Kat! Nice to hear from you! I tell ya, I don't know what is causing this cough. It just sounds deep and harsh. Don't know if that's normal or not with just a simple cold. I'm giving him Robitussin and the Zyrtec and he's still coughing some. I'm taking him to the doc Monday. I really think I need to take him ta an allergy/asthma specialist. I don't want to even take him to his ped, because he had this same cough last year and he gave me a prescription cough med and it didn't help. He also did a chest xray and it was fine, so I'm thinking maybe we need to move on to a specialist. I'm wondering if it maybe the cough variant asthma, like Amy's son has. He only gets it during the winter and it started last year. He got well last year with Claritin and Delsym. I just don't know if he needs something all the time or just when symptoms occur. I have alot of questions, so maybe we'll get some answers Monday! Thanks for replying!! Are you enjoying your new house?