Augmentin 875/125 Dosing for a 10-Year-Old Child Weighing 119 Pounds
Augmentin 875/125 mg is appropriate for a 10-year-old child weighing 119 pounds (54 kg), as this weight exceeds the 40 kg (88 lb) threshold where adult dosing becomes appropriate. 1, 2
Weight-Based Dosing Considerations
- Children who weigh more than 40 kg (88 lb) should be dosed as adults, regardless of age 1
- For a 10-year-old weighing 119 pounds (54 kg), the adult dosing of Augmentin 875/125 mg is appropriate 2
- The FDA-approved amoxicillin/clavulanate dosing for infections in children weighing more than 40 kg follows adult guidelines 2
Dosing Recommendations Based on Infection Type
- For mild to moderate ear, nose, throat, skin, or genitourinary infections: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours 2
- For severe infections or lower respiratory tract infections: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours 2
- The standard adult dose of Augmentin 875/125 mg twice daily provides adequate coverage for most common infections 3
Safety Considerations
- Gastrointestinal side effects are the most common adverse reactions with Augmentin 3
- To minimize potential gastrointestinal intolerance, Augmentin should be taken at the start of a meal 2
- For certain infections (particularly those caused by Streptococcus pyogenes), treatment should continue for at least 10 days to prevent complications such as acute rheumatic fever 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not reduce the dose based on age alone when the child weighs more than 40 kg - weight is the determining factor 1
- Do not extend treatment unnecessarily beyond the recommended duration (typically 7-10 days depending on the infection) 2
- Do not administer on an empty stomach, as this may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects 2, 3
Special Considerations
- For patients with severe renal impairment (GFR <30 mL/min), the 875 mg dose should NOT be used 2
- Treatment should generally continue for 48-72 hours beyond the time the patient becomes asymptomatic 2
- Augmentin remains an important agent in the treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections due to its broad spectrum of activity against common pathogens 3