Ambroxol Tablet Dosing for a 9-Year-Old Child
For a 9-year-old child who can swallow tablets, the recommended ambroxol dose is 30 mg twice daily (total 60 mg/day), which can be given as one 30-mg tablet in the morning and one in the evening. 1
Standard Pediatric Dosing
Children aged 6-12 years should receive 30 mg of ambroxol twice daily (total 60 mg/day) for the treatment of acute and chronic respiratory diseases with abnormal mucus secretion. 1
The medication should be administered in two divided doses (morning and evening) to maintain therapeutic levels throughout the day. 1
Ambroxol has been extensively studied in pediatric populations and demonstrates consistent efficacy across age groups, including children as young as 1 month old, with a well-established safety profile. 1
Clinical Efficacy Considerations
Higher doses (120 mg/day) in adults show significantly better outcomes than lower doses (30 mg/day) for reducing sputum volume, viscosity, difficulty of expectoration, and cough severity. 2 However, pediatric dosing remains weight- and age-appropriate at 60 mg/day for this age group.
Ambroxol demonstrates superior speed of action compared to other mucolytic agents like acetylcysteine in children with spastic bronchitis, achieving satisfactory improvement more rapidly. 3
The medication is effective as a secretolytic therapy in both acute and chronic bronchopulmonary disorders associated with abnormal mucus secretion and impaired mucus transport. 1
Safety Profile
Ambroxol is well tolerated in children, with adverse events occurring in only 2.5% of patients in real-world studies, mostly mild gastrointestinal effects. 4
The favorable benefit-risk profile established in adults extends to the pediatric population starting from early infancy. 1
No serious or unknown adverse events have been reported in large-scale community pharmacy studies involving over 2,600 participants. 4
Administration Guidance
The standard 30-mg tablet formulation is appropriate for children in this age group who can swallow tablets. 1
Treatment duration is typically 10 days for acute conditions, though this may be extended for chronic respiratory diseases based on clinical response. 3
The medication should be taken with food if gastrointestinal side effects occur, though this is uncommon. 4
Important Caveats
Do not exceed the recommended dose of 60 mg/day (30 mg twice daily) in this age group, as pediatric dosing differs from adult therapeutic ranges. 1, 2
Ambroxol is indicated specifically for productive cough with mucus secretion issues—it is not appropriate for dry, non-productive cough without bronchial secretions.
If symptoms do not improve within 4-5 days or worsen, medical re-evaluation is necessary to rule out underlying conditions requiring different treatment. 3