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