Bromfed Dosing for a 12-Year-Old Patient Weighing 121 lbs
For a 12-year-old patient weighing 121 lbs (55 kg), the recommended dose of Bromfed is 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) every 4 hours, not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours. 1
Dosing Rationale
This patient falls into the "adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and over" category according to the FDA-approved dosing guidelines 1. At 121 lbs, this patient is well above the weight threshold where adult dosing applies.
Standard Dosing by Age Group
- Ages 12 years and older: 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) every 4 hours 1
- Ages 6 to under 12 years: 5 mL (1 teaspoonful) every 4 hours 1
- Ages 2 to under 6 years: 2.5 mL (½ teaspoonful) every 4 hours 1
Important Safety Considerations
Maximum daily dosing: Do not exceed 6 doses during a 24-hour period, which translates to a maximum of 60 mL per day for this patient 1. This limitation is critical to prevent toxicity from both the antihistamine (brompheniramine) and decongestant (pseudoephedrine) components.
Pharmacokinetic Profile in Children
Research demonstrates that brompheniramine in children has a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 12.4 hours and produces sustained H1-blockade lasting up to 30 hours after a single dose 2. This extended duration of action supports the every-4-hour dosing interval while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
Monitoring for Adverse Effects
Common side effects to monitor include:
- Drowsiness and sedation (antihistamine effect) 3
- Dry mouth 3
- Cardiovascular effects from pseudoephedrine (tachycardia, elevated blood pressure)
- Paradoxical excitation, particularly in younger patients
Critical warning: Fatal intoxications have been reported with cold medication combinations containing brompheniramine and pseudoephedrine, particularly when dosing errors occur 4. Strict adherence to recommended dosing is essential.