Handy chart suggests OTC cough/cold dosages for kids

December 8, 2003

This handy chart shows what OTC cough and cold dosages the pediatric population should get

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Handy chart suggests OTC cough/cold dosages for kids

With cough and cold season upon us, here's a resource to help you answer the many questions parents will bombard you with about what OTC dosages they should give their tiny tots. It was prepared by pediatric specialists at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy. They developed this dosing chart in response to the many requests for help from area pediatricians and pharmacists. For added safety, the pediatric population should use OTC cough and cold products that contain single ingredients. Thus the chart is organized by single ingredients. The dosages listed are evidence-based and cover patients down to one month of age.

Pediatric doses: OTC cough and cold

Brompheniramine

(should not be used in children under 1 month of age)

1-24 months:	0.125 mg/kg/dose	Q 6-8 hours
	2-6 years:	1 mg	Q 4-6 hours	MAX 6-8 mg /day
	6-12 years:	2 mg	Q 4-6 hours	MAX 12-16 mg/day
	12+ years:	4 mg	Q 4-6 hours

Chlorpheniramine

(young children may be more susceptible to side effects and CNS stimulation)

1-24 months:	0.35 mg/kg/day in divided doses	Q 4-6 hours
	2-5 years:	1 mg	Q 4-6 hours
	6-11 years:	2 mg	Q 4-6 hours	MAX 12 mg/day
	12+ years:	4 mg	Q 4-6 hours	MAX 24 mg/day
Dextromethorphan	1-3 months:	0.5-1 mg	Q 6-8 hours
3-6 months:	1-2 mg	Q 6-8 hours
7 months-1 year:	2-4 mg	Q 6-8 hours
>2-6 years:	2.5-7.5 mg	Q 4-8 hours	MAX 30 mg/day
7-12 years:	5-10 mg	Q 4 hours	MAX 60 mg/day
or	15 mg	Q 6-8 hours	MAX 60 mg/day
12+ years:	10-30 mg	Q 4-8 hours	MAX 120 mg/day

Diphenhydramine

(for treatment of minor allergic reactions)

1-24 months:	1-1.5 mg/kg/dose	Q 6-8 hours
	2-< 6 years:	6.25 mg	Q 4-6 hours	MAX 37.5 mg/day
	6-12 years:	12.5-25 mg	Q 4-6 hours	MAX 150 mg/day
	12+ years:	25-50 mg	Q 4-6 hours	MAX 300 mg/day
Guaifenesin	< 2 years:	2 mg/kg/dose	Q 4 hours	MAX 300 mg/day
2-5 years:	50-100 mg	Q 4 hours	MAX 600 mg/day
6-11 years:	100-200 mg	Q 4 hours	MAX 1200 mg/day
12+ years:	200-400 mg	Q 4 hours	MAX 2400 mg/day

Phenylephrine

(do not use for more than
3 5 days)

*do not use in infants less than 6 months of age

6 months-1 year:	1-2 drops of 0.16%	Q 3 hours
	1-6 years:	2-3 drops of 0.125%	Q 4 hours p.r.n.
	6-12 years:	2-3 drops of 0.25%	Q 4 hours p.r.n.
	12+ years:	2-3 drops or
1-2 sprays of 0.25-0.5%	Q 4 hours p.r.n.
Pseudoephedrine	< 2 years:	1 mg/kg/dose	Q 6 hours	MAX 4 doses/day
2-5 years:	15 mg	Q 6 hours	MAX 60 mg/day
6-12 years:	30 mg	Q 6 hours	MAX 120 mg/day
12+ years:	60 mg	Q 6 hours	MAX 240 mg/day

Authors: Tracy M. Hagemann, Pharm.D.; Kendra McConnell, Pharm.D. candidate; Kelly Hill, Pharm.D. candidate; University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy

Source: CRL Online: Clinical Reference Library Online. Lexi-Comp Inc. Hudson, Ohio: 1978-2003. Micromedex Thomson Healthcare. Micromedex Healthcare Series Vol. 118; expires 12/2003

Disclaimer: The authors have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained above is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of publication. No liability will be assumed for the use of this educational reference. Users are strongly encouraged to consult the primary literature for complete information.

Tracy Hagemann. Handy chart suggests OTC cough/cold dosages for kids. Drug Topics Dec. 8, 2003;147:57.

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