Cefdinir Dosing for a 5-Year-Old Female Weighing 53 Pounds 12.8 Ounces
The recommended dose of cefdinir for this 5-year-old female weighing approximately 24.4 kg (53 pounds 12.8 ounces) is 14 mg/kg/day, which equals 342 mg per day, administered as either 171 mg twice daily or 342 mg once daily depending on the infection being treated. 1
Dosage Calculation
To determine the appropriate dose:
- Patient weight: 53 pounds 12.8 ounces ≈ 24.4 kg
- According to FDA labeling, the recommended pediatric dose is 14 mg/kg/day 1
- Calculation: 24.4 kg × 14 mg/kg = 341.6 mg ≈ 342 mg total daily dose
Administration Options
The FDA-approved dosing schedule offers two administration options:
- Once-daily dosing: 342 mg (14 mg/kg) once daily
- Twice-daily dosing: 171 mg (7 mg/kg) twice daily
Dosing Based on Infection Type
| Infection Type | Dosing Regimen | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Bacterial Otitis Media | 171 mg twice daily OR 342 mg once daily | 5-10 days |
| Acute Maxillary Sinusitis | 171 mg twice daily OR 342 mg once daily | 10 days |
| Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis | 171 mg twice daily OR 342 mg once daily | 5-10 days |
| Uncomplicated Skin Infections | 171 mg twice daily | 10 days |
Note: For skin infections, only twice-daily dosing has been studied and is recommended. 1
Practical Administration
For this 24.4 kg child, using the available formulations:
- With 125 mg/5 mL suspension:
- Twice-daily dosing: 7 mL twice daily
- Once-daily dosing: 14 mL once daily
- With 250 mg/5 mL suspension:
- Twice-daily dosing: 3.5 mL twice daily
- Once-daily dosing: 7 mL once daily
Important Considerations
- The maximum daily dose for cefdinir is 600 mg per day 1
- Cefdinir may be administered without regard to meals 1
- For patients with renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min/1.73 m²), the dose should be reduced to 7 mg/kg once daily 1
- The suspension can be stored at room temperature for up to 10 days after reconstitution 1
- The suspension should be shaken well before each administration 1
Clinical Pearls
- Cefdinir has good coverage against common respiratory pathogens including Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae 2
- The drug is stable to hydrolysis by common beta-lactamases, making it effective against beta-lactamase-producing strains 2
- Diarrhea is the most common adverse event reported in clinical trials 2
- The oral suspension has shown superior taste compared to other antimicrobial agents, which may improve compliance in pediatric patients 3