The Dextromethorphan (DM for short) is a cough suppressant. It acts by blocking the cough reflex center in the brain. It will offer temporary relief (a few hours) to that nagging cough caused by a "tickle" in the throat.
I use this type of medication for dry coughs especially at night if the cough prevents my child from going to sleep or staying asleep. Suppressing the cough will usually help your child get some much-needed rest for a few hours. Daytime coughs usually don’t bother a child and I only use a cough medication during the day if the cough is interfering with baby’s eating, napping and playing. If your child’s cough sounds very moist like he’s coughing on secretions and there is a lot of mucous in the nose, then I will use a "multi-symptom" combination of decongestant, antihistamine and cough suppressant. In this case it will also be important to follow the natural cold treatments as well.
Dextromethorphan 30mg per 5ml (1 tsp) extended release
| <12 months | Not recommended |
| 12-23 months | Ask your doctor |
| 2-5 years | Ask your doctor |
| 6-12 years | 5ml (1 tsp) every 12 hours |
| >12 years (>95lbs) | 10ml (2 tsp) every 12 hours |
Dextromethorphan 7.5mg per 5ml (1 tsp)
| <6 months (<14lbs) | Not recommended |
| 6-11 months (14-17lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 12-23 months (18-23lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 2-6 years (24-47lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 6-12 years (48-95lbs) | 10 ml (2 tsp) every 6-8 hours |
| >12 years (>95lbs) | 20 ml (4 tsp) every 6-8 hours |
Dextromethorphan 7.5mg per 5ml (1 tsp)
| <6 months (<14lbs) | Not recommended |
| 6-11 months (14-17lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 12-23 months (18-23lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 2-6 years (24-47lbs) | Ask your doctor |
| 6-12 years (48-95lbs) | 10 ml (2 tsp) every 6-8 hours |
| >12 years (>95lbs) | 20 ml (4 tsp) every 6-8 hours |