What is the dose of Amoxyclav (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) in milliliters (mL) for a 30 kilogram (kg) child?

Amoxyclav (Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid) Dosage for a 30 kg Child

For a 30 kg child, the appropriate dose of Amoxyclav 642 is 5 ml three times daily of the 250/62 suspension. 1

Dosage Calculation Based on Weight and Age

The dosing of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Amoxyclav) depends on the child's weight, age, and the formulation available. For a 30 kg child:

• The child falls into the 7-12 years age category based on typical weight-for-age charts
• The recommended dosage for this age/weight group is 5 ml of 250/62 suspension three times daily 1
• This provides approximately 41.7 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin component (250 mg × 3 doses ÷ 30 kg × 5 ml)

Formulation Considerations

Amoxyclav 642 likely refers to a formulation containing 600 mg amoxicillin and 42.9 mg clavulanic acid per 5 ml. However, standard pediatric guidelines typically reference the following formulations:

• 125/31 suspension (for younger children)
• 250/62 suspension (for older children)

Since the child weighs 30 kg and is likely over 6 years of age, the 250/62 suspension at 5 ml three times daily is appropriate 1.

Administration Guidelines

• Administer at the start of a meal to minimize gastrointestinal intolerance 2
• Complete the full course of treatment (typically 7-10 days)
• For streptococcal infections, ensure at least 10 days of treatment to prevent acute rheumatic fever 2
• Shake the suspension well before each use

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Underdosing: Insufficient dosing may lead to treatment failure and development of resistant organisms

2. Overdosing: Exceeding recommended doses increases the risk of adverse effects without additional clinical benefit

3. Improper reconstitution: Follow manufacturer instructions carefully when reconstituting powder formulations

4. Storage issues: Refrigerate the reconstituted suspension and discard after 14 days 2

5. Inadequate duration: Stopping treatment early may result in recurrence of infection

Alternative Dosing Schedules

Recent evidence suggests that twice-daily dosing may be as effective as three times daily dosing for some indications 3, but the established guideline recommendation for children 7-12 years remains 5 ml of 250/62 suspension three times daily 1.

For severe infections, higher doses may be considered, but the standard dose is appropriate for most common pediatric infections.