Phenylephrine (oral) Pediatric Dose Calculator
Age-based phenylephrine dosing for children, with maximum doses, age limits and sources. Enter age and weight for the dose in mg and syrup mL or tablets.
Pediatric dosing
Nasal congestion (short term)
Phenylephrine (oral) dose chart by age and weight
Nasal congestion (short term). Weights are WHO/IAP reference medians for age — always dose on the measured weight.
| Age | Weight | Dose (mg) | Syrup 5 mg/5 mL (usually in combination products — check label) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 years | 16.2 kg | 2.5 mg | 2.5 mL | Three times daily |
| 5 years | 17.5 kg | 2.5 mg | 2.5 mL | Three times daily |
| 6 years | 19 kg | 2.5 mg | 2.5 mL | Three times daily |
| 8 years | 24.4 kg | 2.5 mg | 2.5 mL | Three times daily |
| 10 years | 31.1 kg | 2.5 mg | 2.5 mL | Three times daily |
| 12 years | 39.4 kg | 10 mg | 10 mL | Three times daily |
Strengths in the calculator
- Syrup 5 mg/5 mL (usually in combination products — check label) (Oral)
- Tablet 10 mg (Oral)
Different strength on your bottle? Use “Different strength on the bottle?” under the result.
Safety
Contraindications and cautions
- Children under 4 years; hypertension, hyperthyroidism, MAO-inhibitor use.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Legacy FDA category C. Avoid, especially in the first trimester and with hypertension.
Avoid; may reduce milk supply.
Clinical notes
Multi-ingredient cough and cold products are discouraged in young children. Saline nasal drops are first line in infants and toddlers.
Adult and adolescent (≥40 kg) dose
10 mg — Three times daily (max 10 mg per dose).
Other names and brands
Also known as Phenylephrine hydrochloride.
Brand examples only — products and strengths vary by country. Always check the label.
Frequently asked questions
What is the phenylephrine dose for children?
Nasal congestion (short term): 4 years to <12 years: 2.5 mg per dose · three times daily; ≥12 years: 10 mg per dose · three times daily. Usual duration: Maximum 3 days. Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.
How many mL of syrup 5 mg/5 mL (usually in combination products — check label) for a 16.2 kg child?
For nasal congestion (short term), a 16.2 kg child (about 4 years) needs 2.5 mg per dose — 2.5 mL of Syrup 5 mg/5 mL (usually in combination products — check label), three times daily. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.
From what age can phenylephrine be given?
Age range in PediaRx: ≥4 years – adult. The calculator does not calculate a dose below 4 years. Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.
Is phenylephrine safe in pregnancy?
Legacy FDA category C. Avoid, especially in the first trimester and with hypertension.
Sources and editorial process
- Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee on oral phenylephrine (2023) and proposed order to remove oral phenylephrine from the OTC monograph (2024) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Dosing data last updated 2026-09-27. PediaRx is built and maintained by Dr. Shounak Pal, MBBS (Medical Officer, Government of West Bengal, India — founder and developer of PediaRx). Every regimen is encoded with explicit units, maximum doses and age/weight limits and is checked by automated tests before publication. Report an error: hello@pediarx.com.
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Clinical disclaimer: reference tool for qualified health professionals. Verify every dose against current guidance and the product label before prescribing.
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