Metoclopramide Dosing for an 8-Year-Old Child
The recommended dose of metoclopramide for an 8-year-old child is 0.1 mg/kg per dose given orally every 6 hours, not to exceed 0.5 mg/kg/day. 1, 2
Dosing Guidelines
- For children 6-14 years of age: 2.5-5 mg per dose 1
- For children under 6 years: 0.1 mg/kg per dose 1
- For an 8-year-old (who falls in the 6-14 years category), the appropriate dose would be in the 2.5-5 mg range, calculated based on weight 1
- Maximum duration of treatment should not exceed 5 days due to risk of adverse effects 3
Route of Administration
- Oral administration is preferred for mild symptoms 1
- For severe symptoms, initial therapy may begin with injectable form (IM or IV) before transitioning to oral medication 1
- When given intravenously, administer slowly over 1-2 minutes 1
Important Safety Considerations
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) are the most common adverse effects in children, occurring in approximately 9% of pediatric patients 3
- Risk of EPS increases with:
- Other common adverse effects include:
Monitoring and Management of Adverse Effects
- Monitor for signs of extrapyramidal reactions, which can be confused with other neurological conditions 5
- If acute dystonic reactions occur, diphenhydramine (1-2 mg/kg or 25-50 mg/dose parenterally) can be administered 6
- Metoclopramide is not intended for long-term use; oral preparations are recommended for no more than 4-12 weeks of therapy 7
Special Considerations
- For patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance <40 mL/min), start with approximately half the recommended dose 1
- Metoclopramide should not be used in children under 1 year of age 3
- Use with caution in children under 5 years of age 3
Practical Application
- For an average 8-year-old weighing approximately 25-30 kg:
Remember that metoclopramide should be used cautiously in children due to the higher risk of extrapyramidal side effects compared to adults, and the benefit should outweigh the potential risks 3.