ACP has received reports of pharmacies dispensing the 0.5 mg/5 mL commercially available dexamethasone elixir for their pediatric patients, in place of a more concentrated compounded suspension. The use of the commercially available elixir has resulted in dose volumes greater than 100 mL per dose, which contains 40 mg/mL of alcohol.
When dispensing medications for pediatric patients, please ensure that the dose volume is appropriate. Lower concentration items that require larger volume doses may not be appropriate for younger patients.