Is it safe to split medication dosage?

My DS has bad allergies. We have tree's in our yard that are in bloom right now, and he is just miserable. I give him childrens claritin, and it works wonders for the little guy! It says 24 hour relief, but it seems by bedtime his nose is runny/congested again. I can tell he feels like crap. Then he is waking up all night and it's bad for all of us, cause then we're all awake. If I give it to him at bedtime he sleeps great without nose problems, but his problems come back at noon-ish the next day. So the dosage is a teaspoon... I was wondering if it's safe to try and fix the problem by giving him 1/2 tsp in the morning and the other 1/2 at bedtime? I figured I ask other Mommies before trying this cause I don't want it to make him sick or something.

Answer Question

SHARE THIS QUESTION:

Asked by Anonymous at 2:50 PM on Mar. 1, 2012 in General Parenting

Answers (12)

I would try it or call the pediatrician for advice.

Answer by meooma at 2:54 PM on Mar. 1, 2012
Credits: 375223 Level 50 General Parenting Degree

Found an answer to your question?
Like us on Facebook!
You could switch to children's Allegra... it's a 12 hour dose.
Other then that you NEED to talk to a Doctor or Pharmacist!!
Never take advice on medication for your child from strangers over the Internet!!

Answer by Crafty26 at 3:02 PM on Mar. 1, 2012
Credits: 151402 Level 42 General Parenting Major

Found an answer to your question?
Like us on Facebook!
I see no harm in it and I would certainly give it a try. When you see the dr. ask him or give him a quick call.

Answer by Dardenella at 3:20 PM on Mar. 1, 2012
Credits: 198795 Level 45 General Parenting Degree

Found an answer to your question?
Like us on Facebook!
that's fine

Answer by butterflyblue19 at 3:22 PM on Mar. 1, 2012
Credits: 341821 Level 49 General Parenting Degree

Found an answer to your question?
Like us on Facebook!
I would ask the doctor.

Answer by mompam at 4:42 PM on Mar. 1, 2012
Credits: 119149 Level 40 General Parenting Degree

Found an answer to your question?
Like us on Facebook!
talk to your pharmacist, there are some allergy meds that you can "mix" with others - for my kids, we use a 24 hour med in the morning and a 12 hour med in the evening - but it is doctor suggested and pharmacist approved.

Answer by annanonnymommy at 5:41 PM on Mar. 1, 2012
Credits: 39440 Level 29 General Parenting Minor

Found an answer to your question?
Like us on Facebook!
oh, and they are completely different meds that we are using, not 2 versions of the same med.

Answer by annanonnymommy at 5:41 PM on Mar. 1, 2012
Credits: 39440 Level 29 General Parenting Minor

Found an answer to your question?
Like us on Facebook!
I can't speak for the claritin, but I give my son Zyrtec. His allergist had me do just that as he stated the children often metabollize medications faster and often the 24 hour dose will not last 24 hours.
As Claritin is different, it may not be safe to cut the pill as not all pills are created in a way that the medications is evenly split throughout the entire pill. You need to call a pharmacist to see if that is possible.

Answer by layh41407 at 5:53 PM on Mar. 1, 2012
Credits: 79367 Level 36 General Parenting Major

Found an answer to your question?
Like us on Facebook!
I would suggest going to the pharmacy and talking to the pharmacist about it.

Answer by aeneva at 6:29 PM on Mar. 1, 2012
Credits: 14348 Level 22 General Parenting Minor

Found an answer to your question?
Like us on Facebook!
I have been in this position. We have combined Claritin, Zyrtec, Cholrotab, and Benadryl. Not all at the same time, but they are all different antihistamines and work differently. I just combined different medications until I found the combination that worked best for my DD.

Answer by coala at 7:17 PM on Mar. 1, 2012
Credits: 36793 Level 28 General Parenting Major

Found an answer to your question?
Like us on Facebook!