Can I give my 14-year-old son, weighing 116 pounds, Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) 875mg twice a day?

Augmentin 875 mg Dosing for a 14-Year-Old Boy

Yes, Augmentin 875 mg twice daily is appropriate for a 14-year-old boy weighing 116 pounds (52.6 kg), as he exceeds the 40 kg weight threshold for adult dosing.

Dosing Rationale

The FDA-approved dosing for Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) is weight-based and age-dependent:

• For children weighing ≥40 kg (88 pounds), adult dosing is appropriate 1
• Your son weighs 116 pounds (52.6 kg), which exceeds this threshold
• The standard adult dose of Augmentin 875/125 mg twice daily is therefore appropriate

According to clinical practice guidelines, Augmentin dosing follows these principles:

• For mild to moderate infections: 45 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component divided into 2 doses 2
• For moderate to severe infections: 80-90 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component divided into 2 doses 2
• The 875 mg twice daily dosage provides approximately 33 mg/kg/day for your son, which is within the appropriate range for mild infections

Weight-Based Considerations

The FDA label for amoxicillin/clavulanate clearly states that patients weighing >40 kg should receive adult dosing 1. Since your son weighs 116 pounds (52.6 kg), he qualifies for adult dosing:

• Adult dosing for mild/moderate infections: 875 mg every 12 hours 1
• This dosage is appropriate for ear/nose/throat, skin/skin structure, and lower respiratory tract infections 1

Administration Guidelines

For optimal effectiveness and minimal gastrointestinal side effects:

• Administer Augmentin at the start of a meal 1
• Ensure the full course of antibiotics is completed (typically 7-10 days, depending on the infection)
• Do not stop treatment early, even if symptoms improve

Important Considerations

• If your son has severe renal impairment (GFR <30 mL/min), he should NOT receive the 875 mg dose 1
• If he experiences significant gastrointestinal side effects, consult with your healthcare provider
• The twice-daily dosing has been shown to provide comparable drug exposure to three-times-daily dosing, which may improve adherence 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Underdosing: Using pediatric dosing for a child who qualifies for adult dosing based on weight can lead to treatment failure
2. Premature discontinuation: Stopping antibiotics early can lead to recurrence of infection and antibiotic resistance
3. Taking on empty stomach: This increases the risk of gastrointestinal side effects
4. Not completing the full course: Treatment should continue for a minimum of 48-72 hours beyond symptom resolution 1

For infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, treatment should continue for at least 10 days to prevent acute rheumatic fever 1.