Omeprazole Dosing for a 10-Week-Old Infant Weighing 5.2kg
The recommended dose of omeprazole for a 10-week-old infant weighing 5.2kg is 3 mg/kg/dose twice daily, which calculates to 15.6 mg per dose (approximately 16 mg) given twice daily.
Dosage Calculation
- For term infants 0-8 months: 3 mg/kg/dose twice daily 1
- For this 5.2kg infant: 3 mg/kg × 5.2kg = 15.6 mg per dose, given twice daily
Administration Method
Since omeprazole is available as capsules or powder for oral suspension, administration requires specific steps:
For oral suspension (preferred method):
- Use the commercially available 6 mg/mL suspension
- Administer 2.6 mL (15.6 mg) twice daily
- Give before meals
If using capsules:
- Open the capsule (do not crush or chew the pellets)
- Place one tablespoon of applesauce in a clean container
- Empty all pellets onto the applesauce
- Mix the pellets with the applesauce
- Have the infant swallow the mixture immediately with help
- Follow with water to ensure complete swallowing
- Do not save the mixture for later use
Important Considerations
Safety Precautions
- Monitor for potential side effects including:
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Irritability
- Changes in feeding patterns
Timing of Administration
- Give omeprazole before meals
- Space doses approximately 12 hours apart for optimal acid suppression
Duration of Treatment
- Treatment duration should be determined by clinical response
- Typically 4-8 weeks for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Reassess after 2 weeks to evaluate efficacy
Potential Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not crush or allow infant to chew the enteric-coated pellets
- Do not mix with liquids other than applesauce
- Do not administer with antacids simultaneously (can be given at different times)
- Do not save prepared mixture for future use
This dosing recommendation is based on FDA-approved labeling for omeprazole in infants 1, which provides specific guidance for administration in this age group to ensure both safety and efficacy in treating acid-related disorders.