Recommended Dosage for Coricidin
The recommended dosage for Coricidin (containing chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan) is one tablet every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 4 tablets in 24 hours. 1
Dosage Information
- Coricidin products typically contain chlorpheniramine maleate (an antihistamine) and dextromethorphan hydrobromide (a cough suppressant) in tablet formulations 2
- Standard therapeutic dosing should be limited to every 4-6 hours, with a maximum of 4 doses per day to prevent toxicity 1
- Exceeding recommended doses can lead to significant adverse effects, particularly with the dextromethorphan component 1, 2
Safety Concerns
- Coricidin products have become subject to abuse, particularly among adolescents who take multiple tablets to achieve intoxication (known as "megadoses") 1
- Taking 5-10 times the recommended dose can produce significant psychological and physiological effects similar to phencyclidine (PCP) 1
- Approximately 5% of people of European ethnicity metabolize dextromethorphan poorly, leading to rapid acute toxic levels even with moderate overdoses 1
Adverse Effects of Overdose
- Tachycardia (50% of cases), somnolence (24.4%), mydriasis and hypertension (16.7%), and agitation (12.8%) are common symptoms of Coricidin overdose 2
- Serious adverse effects can include serotonin syndrome, characterized by neuromuscular hyperactivity, autonomic instability, and altered mental status 3
- Cardiac toxicity has been documented with excessive use 4
Special Populations
- Adolescents are particularly at risk for misuse of Coricidin products, with the average age of misuse being approximately 14-15 years 2, 4
- The medication should be kept away from children and adolescents unless specifically prescribed and monitored by a healthcare provider 1, 2
Important Warnings
- Coricidin products may contain multiple active ingredients (dextromethorphan, chlorpheniramine, acetaminophen, and/or phenylpropanolamine) which can have additive toxicity when taken in excessive amounts 1, 2
- Never exceed the recommended dosage as this can lead to serious adverse effects including potential cardiac issues and psychiatric manifestations 4
- Do not combine with other medications containing similar ingredients or with serotonergic drugs, as this increases the risk of adverse effects 3
Remember that Coricidin is intended for short-term symptomatic relief of cold symptoms and should not be used for extended periods without medical supervision 1.