Delsym (Dextromethorphan) Dosing for a 5-Year-Old Child
For a 5-year-old child, the recommended dose of Delsym (dextromethorphan polistirex) is 2.5 mL every 12 hours, not to exceed 5 mL in 24 hours. 1
Dosing Guidelines for Dextromethorphan by Age
- For children 4 to under 6 years of age: 2.5 mL every 12 hours, with a maximum of 5 mL in 24 hours 1
- For children 6 to under 12 years of age: 5 mL every 12 hours, with a maximum of 10 mL in 24 hours 1
- For children under 4 years of age: Delsym is not recommended 1
Administration Instructions
- Shake the bottle well before use 1
- Measure only with the dosing cup provided with the medication 1
- Do not use the dosing cup with other products 1
Important Considerations
- Delsym contains dextromethorphan polistirex, which is an extended-release formulation with a duration of action approximately 2-3 times longer than standard dextromethorphan hydrobromide 2
- The polistirex binder slows the release of the active ingredient, providing longer symptom relief 2
- Overdosing can lead to serious adverse effects including unresponsiveness, tachycardia, hypertension, mydriasis, and neurological symptoms 2
Safety Precautions
- Carefully measure the dose using only the provided dosing cup to avoid medication errors 1
- Do not exceed the recommended dose or frequency as this could lead to toxicity 2
- Store the medication out of reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion 2
- If symptoms worsen or persist beyond a few days, consult a healthcare provider 3
Potential Adverse Effects
- Higher doses of dextromethorphan are associated with increased risk of adverse events in children 3
- While the recommended age-based dosing provides a range of 0.35 to 0.94 mg/kg per dose in children, research suggests that a dose of approximately 0.5 mg/kg may balance symptom relief with minimizing adverse effects 3