Dosing of Oral Cefuroxime for a 5-Year-Old Child with Tonsillitis (30kg)
The recommended dose of oral cefuroxime for a 5-year-old child weighing 30kg with tonsillitis is 250mg twice daily for 5-7 days. 1, 2
Dosage Calculation
- For children with tonsillitis, cefuroxime is an appropriate second-line treatment option 1
- For a child weighing 30kg (age 5 years), the appropriate oral cefuroxime dosage is 250mg twice daily 1, 2
- This dosage falls within the recommended range of 20-30mg/kg/day divided into two doses 2
- For children aged 2-12 years, 250mg twice daily is the standard oral dose for respiratory tract infections 1
Treatment Duration
- A 5-day course of cefuroxime axetil is sufficient for treating streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children 3, 4
- Studies have shown that a 5-day course of cefuroxime axetil is as effective as a standard 10-day course of penicillin V for treating tonsillitis 3, 5
- The shorter 5-day regimen may offer better compliance and reduced costs while maintaining efficacy 4
Clinical Considerations
- Cefuroxime is indicated as a second-line agent when first-line treatments (such as amoxicillin) are not appropriate 1
- It is effective against common respiratory pathogens including Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus), which is the most common bacterial cause of tonsillitis 6
- Bacteriological eradication rates with cefuroxime axetil for streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis have been shown to be approximately 90% 3
Potential Side Effects
- The most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal disturbances including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting 6
- These side effects are generally mild and transient in nature 6
- Taking the medication with food can improve absorption and may reduce gastrointestinal side effects 2
Important Considerations
- Ensure the child does not have a known allergy to cephalosporins before administering 2
- Complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before completion 4
- If symptoms worsen or do not improve after 48-72 hours, clinical reassessment is necessary 1
- For children with severe infections or complications, higher doses or parenteral therapy may be required 2