Amoxicillin Dosage

minditronic

The doctor put DS on Amoxicillin for a suspected sinus infection. I just noticed when I got home from the pharmacy that the prescription is for 400mg twice a day. That's 800mg for a 20 lb child. Is it just me or does that seem like A LOT?

I have a call in to the pediatrician for clarification, but I'm afraid they're going to tell me that is the correct dosage. I don't feel comfortable giving him that much. Rxlist.com says that for a severe case, he should be getting no more than 405mg a day. This isn't even severe. I hate to go against my pediatrician's advice but I think I may have to. Would I be crazy to just go with the dosage given on rx.com? I know I'm not a doctor, but I feel much more comfortable with that dosage.

ALittleBirdy

I'm not sure what this converts to, but DS is 15 lbs and is getting 3/4 tsp twice a day.

Trixie6717

Are you sure it is mg?

ETA: Because...800mg a day does seem like a lot to me, too. I'd definitely call to clarify.

g8orell

how much does your LO weigh?

g8orell

Sorry, just saw 20 lbs

When I write for Amoxicillin, I usually do 30mg/kg/day, two times a day for 10 days, so that's 1.7cc (about 1/3 tsp) twice daily for a 20 lb baby.

g8orell

Ohhh...the suspension is 400mg/5cc (that's 400mg of amoxicillin in 1 tsp). He's probably not getting 2 tsps a day. It's the "recipe" to make the suspension. How much do you have to actually give him?

bparkhur

We had to give 3.9 ml for our 16 lbs  baby.

minditronic

Trixie6717:

Are you sure it is mg?

Yes, there are 400mg/5mL. It says to give him two teaspoons (10mL) a day.

g8orell

Don't give it...call your pedi. Like I said, I usually do 30mg/kg/day, but I'll do max 45mg/kg/day if needed...which for a 20lb baby is 2.55cc or 1/2 tsp (5cc=1 tsp)

minditronic

g8orell:

Don't give it...call your pedi. Like I said, I usually do 30mg/kg/day, but I'll do max 45mg/kg/day if needed...which for a 20lb baby is 2.55cc or 1/2 tsp (5cc=1 tsp)

Thank you. I thought something was off about it.

lemonJAM

DD is taking 3.5 mL (280mg) 2x a day for her ear infection.  She weighs 17 lbs.  800 mg sounds like a lot to me!

pharmacygirl

It should be 1/2 that.  Call the pharmacy and make sure it was filled correctly and if so ask the Rph to calculate the dose for you.  The Rph should also be able to call the md for you to get it fixed.  It saves you the hassle. 

minditronic

I just spoke to the pedi and the pharmacist. They are both saying that it is the correct dosage. The pharmacist said that peds are now giving higher doses and that it is normal to see 80mg/kg/day which equals out to 720 for DS. He said the pedi probably rounded up to get 800 and the worst that will happen is that he'll have diarrhea. I'm just not sure I feel comfortable with such a high dose.

katie_cj

Jake is 16 and a half pounds and we give him 6ml/day.

I don't know what that translates in mg.

minditronic

katie_cj@hotmail.com:

Jake is 16 and a half pounds and we give him 6ml/day.

I don't know what that translates in mg.

If it's the 400mg/5mL (there's also 125mg/5mL and 250mg/5mL or so my internet research tells me) then it equals out to 480.

BitterOldHag

Jake was on 7.5ml of 250mg/5ml 2x a day for his ear infection. He was 18lbs.13oz at that weigh in.