Dosage of Cefaclor (Syr Monocef) for a 14kg Child
For a 14kg child, the recommended dosage of Cefaclor (Syr Monocef) is 280-560mg per day, divided into three doses (93-187mg every 8 hours). 1
Dosage Calculation
The FDA-approved dosing guidelines for cefaclor in pediatric patients provide clear direction:
Standard dose: 20mg/kg/day divided into three doses every 8 hours
- For a 14kg child: 14kg × 20mg/kg/day = 280mg/day (93mg every 8 hours)
For more serious infections or less susceptible organisms: 40mg/kg/day
- For a 14kg child: 14kg × 40mg/kg/day = 560mg/day (187mg every 8 hours)
Maximum daily dosage: 1g/day 1
Administration Guidelines
- Cefaclor should be administered orally
- For optimal absorption, administer on an empty stomach
- If using the 250mg/5mL suspension:
- Standard dose (20mg/kg/day): Approximately 2mL (100mg) every 8 hours
- Higher dose (40mg/kg/day): Approximately 3.7mL (185mg) every 8 hours
Clinical Considerations
Indications for Higher Dosing (40mg/kg/day)
- More severe infections (such as pneumonia)
- Infections caused by less susceptible organisms
- Otitis media 1
Treatment Duration
- For most infections: 7-10 days
- For β-hemolytic streptococcal infections: at least 10 days to prevent rheumatic fever 1
Alternative Dosing Schedule for Specific Conditions
For otitis media and pharyngitis, the total daily dosage may be divided and administered every 12 hours (twice daily) instead of every 8 hours 1. However, the standard three-times-daily regimen is generally preferred for most infections.
Monitoring and Safety
- Cefaclor is generally well-tolerated in pediatric patients
- Most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal disturbances
- No dosage adjustment is typically required in the presence of impaired renal function 1
Important Considerations
- For pneumonia in children, guidelines also recommend amoxicillin as first-line therapy at 90mg/kg/day 2
- Cefaclor is considered an alternative option when first-line treatments are not appropriate
- For children with beta-lactam allergy, macrolides may be considered as alternatives 3
Remember to reconstitute the suspension properly according to the manufacturer's instructions and shake well before each use to ensure accurate dosing.