Augmentin Dosing for Pediatric UTI at 18.6 kg
For a child weighing 18.6 kg with a urinary tract infection, the appropriate dosage of Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) is 45-90 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component divided into 2-3 doses, which translates to approximately 375 mg of Augmentin per dose given three times daily.
Dosage Calculation
- For a child weighing 18.6 kg, the appropriate dosage range is 45-90 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component 1
- This calculates to approximately 837-1,674 mg of amoxicillin per day
- When divided into three doses, this equals approximately 279-558 mg per dose
- The standard formulation of Augmentin contains amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid in a fixed ratio 2
- The appropriate formulation would be Augmentin 375 mg (250 mg amoxicillin + 125 mg clavulanic acid) given three times daily 2, 3
Treatment Duration
- For uncomplicated UTIs, treatment duration of 3-7 days is generally recommended 1
- For complicated UTIs, treatment should be extended to 7-14 days 1
- For male children where prostatitis cannot be excluded, consider extending treatment to 14 days 1
Administration Considerations
- Augmentin liquid formulation should be given with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects 4
- The medication should be stored in the refrigerator and shaken well before each use
- Complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before completion 1
Monitoring and Follow-up
- Monitor for clinical improvement within 48-72 hours of initiating treatment 1
- Consider urine culture follow-up in complicated cases or treatment failures 1
- Watch for potential side effects including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and skin rash 4, 3
Special Considerations
- If the patient has renal impairment, dosage adjustment may be necessary 5
- For severe infections or suspected resistant organisms, higher doses within the recommended range should be considered 6
- If the patient has a history of penicillin allergy, alternative antibiotics should be selected 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Underdosing may lead to treatment failure and development of resistance 6
- Using adult formulations for pediatric patients can lead to dosing errors 1
- Failure to complete the full course of antibiotics may result in recurrence of infection 1
- Not considering local resistance patterns when selecting empiric therapy 1