From the FDA Drug Label
The recommended dose is 8 mg/kg/day of the suspension.
Table 1 Suggested Doses for Pediatric Patients PEDIATRIC DOSAGE CHART Doses are suggested for each weight range and rounded for ease of administration Cefixime for Oral Suspension 100 mg/5 mL 200 mg/5 mL Patient Weight (kg) Dose/Day (mg) Dose/Day (mL) Dose/Day (mL) ... 10.1 to 12.5 100 5 2.5
The recommended dose of cefixime for a 2-year-old boy weighing 12 kg is 100 mg/day. According to the dosage chart, for a patient weighing between 10.1 to 12.5 kg, the dose is 100 mg/day, which can be administered as 5 mL of the 100 mg/5 mL suspension or 2.5 mL of the 200 mg/5 mL suspension 1.
From the Research
The recommended dose of cefixime for a 2-year-old boy weighing 12 kg is 8 mg/kg/day, which equals 96 mg per day, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 2. This dose can be divided into one daily dose or two doses of 48 mg every 12 hours. Cefixime is available as a suspension (100 mg/5 mL), so the child would need 4.8 mL once daily or 2.4 mL twice daily. Some key points to consider when administering cefixime include:
- Treatment duration typically ranges from 5 to 14 days depending on the infection being treated, with most common infections requiring 7-10 days 2.
- Cefixime is effective against many gram-negative bacteria including Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and some Enterobacteriaceae, making it useful for respiratory, urinary tract, and otitis media infections 3.
- The medication should be given with or without food, though taking it with food may reduce stomach upset.
- Parents should complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before the medication is finished.
- Common side effects include diarrhea, stomach upset, and diaper rash. If severe diarrhea, rash, or signs of allergic reaction occur, medical attention should be sought immediately. It's worth noting that while other studies such as 4, 5, and 6 provide valuable information on the pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of cefixime, the study 2 provides the most relevant and recent guidance on the recommended dose for a child of this age and weight.