Dosage of Ascoril LS Junior for a 7-Month-Old Child Weighing 7.2 kg
The recommended dose of Ascoril LS Junior (containing levosalbutamol) for a 7-month-old child weighing 7.2 kg should be calculated based on weight at 0.05-0.1 mg/kg/dose given three times daily.
Dosage Calculation
- For a 7.2 kg infant, the appropriate levosalbutamol dose would be approximately 0.36-0.72 mg per dose, given three times daily 1
- This falls within the safe dosing range for infants under 15 kg, who typically receive lower doses of bronchodilators 2
- For children weighing less than 15 kg, dosing should be carefully calculated by weight rather than using standard fixed doses 2
Safety Considerations
- Levosalbutamol is the active R-isomer of salbutamol and has been shown to be effective at lower doses than racemic salbutamol 3
- Lower doses of levosalbutamol can achieve similar bronchodilatory effects with fewer side effects compared to racemic salbutamol 4
- For infants under 12 months, careful weight-based dosing is essential to avoid adverse effects 2
- Common side effects to monitor for include:
Clinical Efficacy
- Levosalbutamol-containing cough formulations have shown efficacy in managing respiratory symptoms in both adults and children 1
- Studies have demonstrated that levosalbutamol is superior to racemic salbutamol in improving respiratory parameters including respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and clinical scores 3
- Combination formulations containing levosalbutamol have shown effectiveness in treating productive cough and bronchospasm 5
Administration Guidelines
- Administer the medication using the provided measuring device to ensure accurate dosing 2
- The medication should be given consistently at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day 2
- Monitor the infant closely after the first dose for any adverse reactions 1
- If side effects occur, consider reducing the dose while maintaining the three-times-daily schedule 4
Monitoring
- Observe for clinical improvement in respiratory symptoms within 48-72 hours of starting therapy 2
- Monitor heart rate and respiratory rate before and after administration 3
- If symptoms worsen or do not improve within 72 hours, reevaluation is necessary 2
- Watch for signs of tremor, increased heart rate, or irritability which may indicate overdosage 1
Important Precautions
- Avoid exceeding the recommended dose as higher doses increase the risk of side effects without proportionally increasing efficacy 4
- Ensure adequate hydration during treatment to help with secretion clearance 5
- The medication should be stored according to manufacturer instructions and kept out of reach of children 2