What is the appropriate Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) dose for a 3‑year‑old child weighing 14.06 kg using a suspension concentration of 250 mg per 5 mL?

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Last updated: November 5, 2026 • View editorial policy

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Augmentin Dosing for 3-Year-Old, 14.06 kg Child

For a 3-year-old weighing 14.06 kg using Augmentin 250 mg/5 mL suspension, administer 5 mL (250 mg amoxicillin) twice daily for standard infections, or 10 mL (500 mg amoxicillin) twice daily for severe infections or recent antibiotic exposure.

Dosing Calculation

Standard Dosing (45 mg/kg/day):

  • 14.06 kg × 45 mg/kg/day = 632.7 mg/day
  • Divided into 2 doses = 316 mg per dose
  • Volume: 5 mL twice daily (provides 250 mg per dose = 35.5 mg/kg/day)

High-Dose Regimen (90 mg/kg/day):

  • 14.06 kg × 90 mg/kg/day = 1,265 mg/day
  • Divided into 2 doses = 633 mg per dose
  • Volume: 10 mL twice daily (provides 500 mg per dose = 71 mg/kg/day)

When to Use Each Regimen

Use standard dose (5 mL twice daily) for:

  • First-line treatment of uncomplicated infections
  • No antibiotic use in past 30 days
  • No daycare attendance
  • Mild to moderate severity 1

Use high dose (10 mL twice daily) for:

  • Recent antibiotic exposure (within 30 days)
  • Daycare attendance
  • Age < 2 years (though this child is 3)
  • Moderate to severe illness
  • Failed initial amoxicillin therapy
  • Areas with high penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae (>10%) 2, 3

Important Caveats

The 250 mg/5 mL suspension is not ideal for achieving recommended high-dose therapy. The FDA-approved Augmentin ES-600 formulation (600 mg/5 mL) provides 90 mg/kg/day more efficiently with better clavulanate ratios (14:1 vs 4:1) 4. If high-dose therapy is needed and ES-600 is available, use 2.3 mL twice daily of ES-600 instead.

Administration: Give at the start of meals to minimize gastrointestinal side effects and enhance clavulanate absorption 4. Shake suspension well before each dose.

Duration: Typically 7-10 days depending on infection type 1, 5.

The 250 mg/5 mL formulation contains 125 mg amoxicillin and 31.25 mg clavulanate per 5 mL (4:1 ratio) 1. While functional for standard dosing, achieving true high-dose amoxicillin (80-90 mg/kg/day) with this concentration requires large volumes that may affect compliance and increase clavulanate-related diarrhea.

References

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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.