From the Guidelines
Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) dosing for children should be 90 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component divided into two doses given every 12 hours, with a maximum dose of 4000 mg/day, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. The dosage and duration of treatment may vary depending on the specific infection being treated and the child's weight.
- For most common pediatric infections, the standard dosage is 20-40 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component divided into two doses given every 12 hours, or 25-45 mg/kg/day divided into three doses given every 8 hours.
- For more severe infections, higher dosages of 80-90 mg/kg/day divided into two doses may be used. The typical duration of treatment ranges from 5-10 days for most common infections like otitis media (ear infections), sinusitis, or skin infections, while more serious infections may require 10-14 days of therapy, as supported by recent studies 1. It's essential to complete the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve before finishing the medication to prevent antibiotic resistance and ensure complete eradication of the infection. Augmentin should be given with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects, and the liquid formulation should be refrigerated and discarded after 10 days. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and rash, and parents should contact their healthcare provider if the child develops severe diarrhea, persistent vomiting, or signs of an allergic reaction. Recent studies have shown that shorter courses of antibiotics may be effective for certain infections, but the decision to shorten the course of treatment should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific infection, the child's overall health, and the risk of antibiotic resistance 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Treatment should be continued for a minimum of 48 to 72 hours beyond the time that the patient becomes asymptomatic, or evidence of bacterial eradication has been obtained It is recommended that there be at least 10 days’ treatment for any infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes to prevent the occurrence of acute rheumatic fever. In some infections, therapy may be required for several weeks.
The recommended dosage of Augmentin (amoxicillin) for pediatric patients is as follows:
- For patients aged 3 months and older and weight less than 40 kg:
- Mild/Moderate infections: 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours
- Severe infections: 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours
- For patients aged less than 12 weeks (3 months): 30 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours The length of time for treatment is at least 10 days for infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, and a minimum of 48 to 72 hours beyond the time the patient becomes asymptomatic, or evidence of bacterial eradication has been obtained 2
From the Research
Dosage of Augmentin in Pediatric Patients
- The recommended dosage of Augmentin in pediatric patients is 90/6.4 mg/kg/day in two divided doses for persistent or recurrent acute otitis media where there are risk factors for the involvement of beta-lactamase-producing strains or S. pneumoniae with reduced penicillin susceptibility 3.
- Another study recommends a dosage of 40/10 mg/kg/day in three divided doses for conventional formulations of Augmentin in pediatric patients with acute otitis media 4.
- A high-dose formulation of Augmentin (90/6.4 mg/kg/day in two divided doses) has been developed for pediatric use in persistent or recurrent acute otitis media 4.
Length of Time for Treatment
- The length of time for treatment with Augmentin in pediatric patients is typically 10 days for acute otitis media 5, 6.
- One study compared the clinical efficacy of 10 days of high-dose Augmentin with 5 days of cefdinir in the treatment of acute otitis media in children, and found that the 10-day course of Augmentin was more effective 6.
- Another study found that a 10-day course of Augmentin was comparable to a 3-day course of azithromycin in the treatment of acute otitis media in children 5.
Efficacy of Augmentin in Pediatric Patients
- Augmentin has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acute otitis media in pediatric patients, with clinical response rates similar to or greater than those of other antimicrobial agents 4, 7.
- One study found that Augmentin was more effective than cefdinir in the treatment of acute otitis media in children, with a better cure rate (86.5% vs 71.0%) 6.
- Another study found that Augmentin was comparable to azithromycin in the treatment of acute otitis media in children, with similar clinical response rates 5.