Dextromethorphan Dosage

An Introduction to Your Dosage of Dextromethorphan

The dose of dextromethorphan your healthcare provider recommends will depend on your age and the particular dextromethorphan product you are taking.

As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.

The usual dose of dextromethorphan for treating a cough in adults and children 12 years old and older is as follows:

For dextromethorphan polistirex syrup (Delsym^®) -- 60 mg every 12 hours
For other oral liquid or syrup -- 10 mg to 20 mg every 4 hours or 30 mg every 6 to 8 hours
For tablets and gelcaps -- 20 mg to 30 mg every 6 to 8 hours
For lozenges -- 5 mg to 15 mg every 1 to 4 hours
For strips -- 30 mg every 8 hours.

Adults should not use more than 120 mg of dextromethorphan in a day.

The usual dextromethorphan dose for treating a cough in children 6 to 12 years old is as follows:

For dextromethorphan polistirex syrup (Delsym) -- 30 mg every 12 hours
For other oral liquid or syrup -- 10 mg every 4 hours or 15 mg every 6 to 8 hours
For strips -- 10 mg every 4 hours or 15 mg every 6 to 8 hours.

Children 6 to 12 years old should not use more than 60 mg of dextromethorphan in a day.

The usual dextromethorphan dose for treating a cough in children 4 to 6 years old is as follows:

For dextromethorphan polistirex syrup (Delsym) -- 15 mg every 12 hours
For other oral liquid or syrup -- 5 mg every 4 hours or 7.5 mg every 6 to 8 hours
For strips -- 5 mg every 4 hours or 7.5 mg every 6 to 8 hours.

Children 4 to 6 years old should not use more than 30 mg of dextromethorphan in one day.

Dextromethorphan should not be used in children younger than four years old unless directed by a healthcare provider.