Cefixime Dosage for a 2-Year-Old Child
The recommended dosage of cefixime for a 2-year-old child is 8 mg/kg/day, which can be administered as a single daily dose or divided into two doses of 4 mg/kg every 12 hours. 1
Dosage Calculation Based on Weight
For a 2-year-old child, the dosage should be determined by weight:
- For a child weighing between 12.6-20.5 kg: 150 mg/day (7.5 mL of 100 mg/5 mL suspension or 4 mL of 200 mg/5 mL suspension) 1
- For a child weighing between 10.1-12.5 kg: 100 mg/day (5 mL of 100 mg/5 mL suspension or 2.5 mL of 200 mg/5 mL suspension) 1
Administration Guidelines
- Cefixime is available as an oral suspension in two concentrations: 100 mg/5 mL and 200 mg/5 mL 1
- The suspension form is preferred for children, especially for otitis media treatment, as it results in higher peak blood levels than tablet/capsule forms 1
- After reconstitution, the suspension may be kept for 14 days either at room temperature or refrigerated 1
- The medication should be shaken well before each use 1
Duration of Treatment
- For most infections, a 7-10 day course is typical 1
- For infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes (such as pharyngitis/tonsillitis), cefixime should be administered for at least 10 days 1, 2
Indications for Use in Children
Cefixime is indicated for children 6 months or older for:
- Otitis media caused by H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, and S. pyogenes 1
- Pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by S. pyogenes 1
- Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis caused by S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae 1
Clinical Efficacy and Safety
- Clinical studies have shown high efficacy rates (98%) in children with respiratory tract infections treated with cefixime at 8 mg/kg/day 3
- Adverse events in children occur at a rate of approximately 1.92%, indicating good tolerability 3
- In comparative studies, cefixime has shown similar efficacy to amoxicillin in treating acute otitis media in children 4
Important Considerations
- Cefixime is contraindicated in patients with known allergy to cefixime or other cephalosporins 1
- For children with renal impairment, dose adjustments may be necessary if creatinine clearance is below 60 mL/min 1
- Always ensure the correct concentration is specified when prescribing the oral suspension, as the two available concentrations (100 mg/5 mL and 200 mg/5 mL) require different volumes for the same dose 1