Maximum Guaifenesin Dose for 8-Year-Old Children
For an 8-year-old child, the maximum dose of guaifenesin is 1200 mg per day, administered as 200-400 mg every 4 hours (not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours) for immediate-release formulations, or 600 mg every 12 hours for extended-release formulations.
Dosing Regimens
Immediate-Release Formulations
- Standard dosing: 200-400 mg every 4 hours 1
- Maximum frequency: Up to 6 times daily 1
- Daily maximum: 1200-2400 mg total per day 1
- The flexible dosing range allows titration to achieve adequate plasma concentrations while maintaining safety 1
Extended-Release Formulations
- Dosing: 600 mg every 12 hours 2
- Maximum daily dose: 1200 mg per day 2
- Extended-release formulations provide equivalent steady-state exposure to immediate-release products while offering more convenient twice-daily dosing 2
- These formulations maintain therapeutic effect over 12 hours, eliminating the need for frequent dosing 2, 1
Practical Administration Considerations
- Dose rounding: The dose can be rounded by up to 15% for ease of home administration, making it more practical for caregivers 3
- Combination products: When using guaifenesin-containing combination products, ensure the guaifenesin component does not exceed the maximum daily limit to avoid excessive dosing 3
- Food effects: For extended-release formulations, food delays time to maximum concentration but does not affect overall bioavailability, so these can be taken with or without food 2
Safety Profile
- Guaifenesin has a well-established and favorable safety profile in pediatric populations 1
- The documented side effects are generally mild 4
- Multiple daily doses of immediate-release formulations are needed to maintain 24-hour therapeutic effect 1
Clinical Context
- Guaifenesin acts as a mucoactive drug, loosening mucus in airways and making coughs more productive 1
- It is indicated for relief of wet cough and chest congestion due to common cold and acute tracheobronchitis 5
- Clinical efficacy has been demonstrated in pediatric patients for treatment of cough, expectoration, nasal congestion, and runny nose 5