Delsym Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Delsym (dextromethorphan) is an over-the-counter (OTC) cough suppressant that can help relieve a dry cough. At recommended doses, it’s generally safe for most adults and children ages 4 years and older to take.
A common adult liquid Delsym dosage is 60 mg by mouth every 12 hours as needed. Adults taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) shouldn’t take Delsym.
Children’s Delsym doses depend on their age — not body weight. Dosages range from 15 mg to 60 mg every 12 hours as needed. Don’t give Delsym to kids younger than 4 years old.
Delsym is available OTC as a brand-name medication. But you can also find it as a lower-cost generic. If your prescriber writes you a prescription for Delsym, GoodRx can help save you money.
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Table of contents
If you’re looking for a medication to help stop an annoying cough, Delsym could be a good choice. Delsym (dextromethorphan) is an over-the-counter (OTC) cough suppressant that can help relieve a dry cough.
Delsym is available OTC for both adults and children. There are also lower-cost generic versions available. But knowing how much Delsym you can take is key in keeping you safe while taking it. Let’s review recommended Delsym dosages for both adults and children.
Note: The Delsym product line includes several cold medications that contain various active ingredients. This article will focus on dosages for Delsym products containing only dextromethorphan.
What’s the typical Delsym (dextromethorphan) dosage for adults?
Delsym is available as both an oral liquid and oral caplets. The liquid can be helpful if you have trouble swallowing pills. Just be sure to use the medicine cup provided by the manufacturer when taking a dose instead of a household spoon. This will help you measure out the right amount of medication.
Delsym oral liquid dosage
Delsym oral liquid contains 30 mg of dextromethorphan in every 5 mL of liquid. This product contains a long-acting version of dextromethorphan. Each dose is designed to last for about 12 hours.
The adult Delsym liquid dosage is 60 mg (10 mL) by mouth every 12 hours as needed. Shake the bottle well before each dose. Don’t take more than 120 mg (20 mL) in 24 hours.
Delsym oral caplets dosage
Each Delsym oral caplet contains 15 mg of dextromethorphan. The caplets may need to be taken more frequently than the oral liquid because they’re not long-acting.
The adult Delsym caplet dosage is 30 mg (2 caplets) by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 120 mg (8 caplets) in 24 hours.
Knowing the risks: Delsym is generally well tolerated but can cause nausea or dizziness for some people, along with a few other potential side effects.
Choosing the best cough medicine: There are many prescription and over-the-counter cough medications, but studies show they don’t all work. So what should you take?
Using a sweet home remedy: It turns out that honey may have some science-backed benefits to help soothe a cough.
What’s the typical children’s Delsym dosage?
Children’s Delsym dosages are based on a child’s age. The liquid version medication is safe to give to most children ages 4 years and older. The oral caplets shouldn’t be given to kids under 12 years old. Adolescents ages 12 years and older can follow the adult Delsym dosages provided above for both the oral liquid and oral caplets.
Only use the dosing spoon, syringe, or measuring cup provided by the manufacturer when giving liquid medication to a child. This ensures your child is getting the correct amount of medication. If you need a replacement dosing device, ask your pharmacist for a new one.
Children’s Delsym liquid dosage
Children’s Delsym contains the same amount of dextromethorphan as the adult version: 30 mg in every 5 mL. Again, be sure to shake the bottle well before each use.
Recommended children’s Delsym dosages are as follows:
Adolescents ages 12 years and older: Give 60 mg (10 mL) by mouth every 12 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 120 mg (20 mL) in 24 hours.
Children ages 6 through 11 years old: Give 30 mg (5 mL) by mouth every 12 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 60 mg (10 mL) in 24 hours.
Children ages 4 and 5 years old: Give 15 mg (2.5 mL) every 12 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 30 mg (5 mL) in 24 hours.
Children under 4 years old: Don’t give Delsym to this age group.
Are Delsym dosages based on body weight?
No, Delsym dosages are not based on body weight. But you may see weight-based children’s Delsym doses online if you search for them. You shouldn’t follow these instructions unless a healthcare professional (HCP) tells you to do so. Delsym’s manufacturer recommends using a child’s age to determine the safest dosage.
The weight-based children’s Delsym doses found online are often based on a small study from 2004. This study examined the typical Delsym doses that children took. They found that the average dose children took was 0.5 mg per kg of body weight. This study was not intended as medical advice for parents to follow. It was conducted for observational purposes only.
You should follow the age-based children’s Delsym doses provided by the manufacturer. These recommendations were developed as a result of many reports of young children being harmed or dying from taking OTC cough medications.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
Delsym doesn’t typically require any special dosage adjustments. But there are certain situations where it may not be safe to take it. For example, if you have liver problems, Delsym may build up in your body, since it’s broken down by the liver. Your HCP may suggest a lower dose of Delsym if you have liver problems.
If you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar), you shouldn’t take Delsym. These medications interact with Delsym. This combination can lead to a potentially serious condition called serotonin syndrome. If you’ve recently stopped an MAOI, you should wait at least 2 weeks after your last dose before taking Delsym.
Before starting Delsym, talk to an HCP if you:
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Have liver problems
Have a chronic cough due to smoking, asthma, or emphysema
Have a productive cough (a cough with mucus)
You should also contact an HCP if your cough lasts longer than 7 days, or goes away and then comes back. If any new symptoms develop while taking Delsym, let your HCP know. These could be signs of a more serious infection.
What happens if you miss a dose of Delsym?
Delsym is usually taken only when you have symptoms. So missed doses shouldn’t be a problem. Just be careful not to take doses too close together. Separate doses by at least 12 hours for Delsym liquid and at least 6 hours for Delsym caplets. Follow the maximum daily dosages listed on the package. Taking more than recommended can lead to side effects, such as nausea and dizziness.
What should you do if you take too much Delsym?
Taking an extra dose of Delsym by accident is unlikely to cause serious harm for most people. But you may experience more side effects than usual. This could include dizziness or drowsiness. So you’d want to be cautious about driving or performing other activities that require alertness.
Dextromethorphan (Delsym’s active ingredient) is also found in many other cough and cold products. Sometimes, it’s necessary to take more than one medication to treat your symptoms. But make sure you read the ingredients on your OTC medicine labels to avoid taking too much dextromethorphan by mistake. It can be easy to take too much without realizing it.
If you believe you’ve taken too much Delsym and are concerned, call an HCP or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If you’re having serious side effects, like an irregular heartbeat, call 911 or seek emergency care right away.
Delsym and other products containing dextromethorphan have the potential for misuse. Taking large amounts can create a feeling of being “high.” But it can also cause panic and hallucinations. More serious side effects include seizures, an irregular heart rhythm, and loss of consciousness. Severe cases can even lead to coma or death.
It’s possible to become addicted to Delsym. If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn about resources in your area.
How to save on Delsym
There are many ways to save on Delsym, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having your prescriber write a prescription for OTC Delsym, GoodRx can help you save over 50% off the average retail price. The generic Delsym's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $6.07 with a free GoodRx discount.
The bottom line
Delsym (dextromethorphan) is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) cough medication. A common adult liquid Delsym dosage is 60 mg every 12 hours as needed. Children’s doses range from 15 mg to 60 mg every 12 hours as needed, depending on the child’s age. Don’t give Delsym to children under 4 years old. Delsym dosages are determined based on a child’s age, not their body weight.
People taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should avoid Delsym. Taking too much Delsym can raise the risk of side effects. Seek help right away if you’re experiencing serious side effects.
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References
RB Health (US) LLC. (2022). Delsym (dextromethorphan) [package insert]. DailyMed.
RB Health (US) LLC. (2022). Delsym [package insert]. DailyMed.
RB Health (US) LLC. (2023). Delsym cough [package insert]. DailyMed.
Edinoff, A. N., et al. (2022). Clinically relevant drug interactions with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Health Psychology Research.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Dextromethorphan.
Paul, I. M., et al. (2004). Dose-response relationship with increasing doses of dextromethorphan for children with cough. Clinical Therapeutics.
Prescribers’ Digital Reference. (n.d.). Dextromethorpan polistirex.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Frequently asked question on children’s cough and cold medicines.
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