DEXTROMETHORPHAN (DM) DOSAGE (COUGH SUPPRESSANT)

Child's weight more than (pounds)

16

32

48

64

80

96

130

lbs

Total amount (mg)

2.5

  5

7.5

10

12.5

15

20

mg

Liquid 5 mg/5 ml (tsp)

1/2

  1

1½

  2

2½

  3

  --

tsp

Liquid 7.5 mg/5 ml (tsp)

--

  --

  1

  1

1½

  2

  3

tsp

Liquid 10 mg/5 ml (tsp)

--

  --

  --

  1

  1

1½

  2

tsp

 

·       AGE LIMIT:

-        Don’t use under 2 years of age. (Reason: Risk of overdosage).

-        Over 2 years of age: not recommended as primary treatment of cough.  Use honey instead. 

-        Avoid multi-ingredient products in children under 6 years of age. (EXCEPTION: DM combined with Guafenisin).

-        Reason: FDA recommendations 1/2008

·       DOSAGE: Determine by finding child's weight in the top row of the dosage table. DM is present in most cough syrups.

·       ADULT DOSAGE: 20 mg

·       FREQUENCY: Repeat every 6-8 hours as needed

·        CALCULATING DOSAGE: 0.15 mg/lb/dose (0.3 mg/kg/dose)