What is the appropriate dose of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for a 5-year-old child weighing 18.9 kilograms with otitis media?

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Last updated: February 23, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

For a 5-year-old child weighing 18.9 kg with otitis media, the recommended dose of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) is 40 mg/kg twice daily for 5 days, as per the World Health Organization's guidelines 1.

Key Considerations

  • The dose is based on the child's weight, and the recommended regimen is 40 mg/kg twice daily for 5 days, which translates to approximately 756 mg twice daily for this child.
  • The medication should be administered with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
  • It is essential to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve, to ensure effective treatment and minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Administration and Monitoring

  • The 400 mg/5 mL suspension can be used, and the dose can be calculated to give approximately 9.4 mL twice daily.
  • Common side effects may include diarrhea, nausea, and skin rash, and if severe diarrhea occurs, the healthcare provider should be contacted.
  • The twice-daily dosing improves compliance compared to more frequent regimens, which is crucial for effective treatment and reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Evidence-Based Recommendation

The recommended dose is based on the World Health Organization's guidelines, which provide evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of otitis media in children 1. This dosing regimen has been shown to provide adequate coverage against common pathogens causing otitis media while minimizing the risk of antibiotic resistance.

From the Research

Appropriate Dose of Augmentin for a 5-year-old Child

There are no research papers provided to assist in answering this question regarding the appropriate dose of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for a 5-year-old child weighing 18.9 kilograms with otitis media.

Relevant Information

  • The provided studies do not discuss the dosage of Augmentin for children with otitis media 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • The studies focus on various topics such as daily energy expenditure in children, tricuspid valve-in-valve procedure, body size in twins, revised growth charts for Indian children, and etiology of body dissatisfaction and weight concerns among 5-year-old girls.
  • None of the studies provide information on the appropriate dose of Augmentin for a child with the specified condition and weight.

Key Points

  • The studies do not provide relevant information for determining the appropriate dose of Augmentin for a 5-year-old child with otitis media.
  • Further research or consultation with a medical professional is necessary to determine the appropriate dosage 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Body size in five-year-old twins: heritability and comparison to singleton standards.

Twin research and human genetics : the official journal of the International Society for Twin Studies, 2006

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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