Lagundi Dosing for Pediatric Patients
I cannot provide evidence-based pediatric dosing recommendations for Lagundi (Vitex negundo) because the available evidence does not support its use in children under 12 years of age.
FDA-Approved Dosing
The FDA-labeled product specifies that Lagundi is approved only for children 12 years and older at 10 drops up to 3 times daily, and explicitly states to "consult a physician for use in children under 12 years of age." 1
For Children ≥12 Years:
- Dose: 10 drops sublingually up to 3 times daily 1
- Administration: Place drops under tongue 30 minutes before or after meals 1
- Maximum frequency: 3 times per day 1
For Children <12 Years:
- No established dosing exists 1
- Physician consultation is required before use 1
- The absence of pediatric dosing guidelines for this age group reflects lack of safety and efficacy data 1
Critical Clinical Considerations
Why Pediatric-Specific Dosing Matters
Pediatric dosing cannot be extrapolated from adult doses through simple weight-based calculations, as children have fundamentally different pharmacokinetic parameters including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. 2
- Drug clearance is highly variable and unpredictable in pediatric populations based solely on adult data 2
- Maturation of hepatic and renal function significantly impacts drug handling, particularly in children under 2 years 3
- The absence of pediatric dosage forms increases potential for serious dosing errors 4
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not calculate "small adult doses" based on weight alone without pediatric pharmacokinetic data 4, 2
- Do not assume safety in the absence of pediatric studies, even for herbal products 1
- Medications lacking therapeutic indications and dosing guidelines for pediatric populations require extreme caution 4
Alternative Approach
If considering Lagundi for a child under 12 years, formal physician evaluation is mandatory to assess: