Dosing Calculation for Amoxicillin Suspension
Administer 6.1 mL of the 457 mg/5 mL amoxicillin suspension to deliver the required 560 mg dose.
Calculation Method
The calculation is straightforward using a proportion-based approach:
- Available concentration: 457 mg per 5 mL
- Required dose: 560 mg
- Formula: (560 mg × 5 mL) ÷ 457 mg = 6.13 mL
Round to 6.1 mL for practical administration using an oral syringe marked in 0.1 mL increments, which is the standard measuring device for pediatric liquid medications.
Practical Administration Considerations
Measurement Accuracy
- Use an oral syringe (not a household teaspoon) for precise measurement
- Most oral syringes allow measurement to the nearest 0.1 mL
- The 6.1 mL dose represents approximately 1.2% rounding from the calculated 6.13 mL, which falls well within acceptable limits for amoxicillin 1
Dosing Context
While the evidence provided focuses primarily on IV formulations and different clinical scenarios 2, the FDA label confirms that oral amoxicillin suspensions are stable and appropriate for pediatric dosing 3. The 457 mg/5 mL concentration is a high-strength formulation designed to reduce volume for larger pediatric doses.
Clinical Caveats
- Shake the suspension well before each dose to ensure uniform drug distribution
- Administer with or without food (absorption is not significantly affected) 3
- Complete the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve
- Store reconstituted suspension in refrigerator and discard after 14 days