What dose of Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) should be given to a child if 3.2 ml is the calculated dose but hard to measure?

Dosing of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (Augmentin) When Calculated Dose is Difficult to Measure

When a calculated dose of 3.2 ml of Augmentin is difficult to measure, round to 3 ml for practical administration.

Practical Dosing Considerations

When faced with difficult-to-measure doses of liquid medications like Augmentin:

• Round to the nearest measurable volume on the dosing device (typically 0.5 ml increments) 1
• For a calculated dose of 3.2 ml, rounding to 3 ml (slightly under-dosing) is preferable to 3.5 ml (over-dosing) 1
• Small deviations in dosing (within 10% of calculated dose) are unlikely to significantly impact treatment efficacy or safety 1, 2

Dosing Principles for Pediatric Augmentin

The appropriate dose depends on:

• The specific formulation of Augmentin being used (different concentrations exist) 1
• The indication for treatment 1
• The weight of the child 1

Standard Dosing Guidelines

• For mild to moderate respiratory infections: 45 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin component divided into 2 doses 1
• For severe infections or areas with high pneumococcal resistance: 90 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin component divided into 2 doses 1
• Maximum daily dose of amoxicillin component should not exceed 4000 mg (4 g) per day 1

Practical Administration Tips

• Use the measuring device provided with the medication for most accurate dosing 2, 3
• Oral syringes typically provide more accurate measurement than household teaspoons 2
• Shake the suspension well before each use to ensure uniform distribution of medication 3
• Administer with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects 3, 4

Monitoring and Follow-up

• Children on appropriate antibiotic therapy should show clinical improvement within 48-72 hours 5
• If no improvement is seen within this timeframe, reevaluation is necessary 5
• Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting 1, 6
• The twice-daily formulation has been shown to cause less diarrhea than three-times-daily dosing 6

Important Considerations

• Consistency in dosing is important for maintaining therapeutic levels 3
• The newer twice-daily formulations of Augmentin provide equivalent efficacy with better tolerability compared to older three-times-daily formulations 6
• Complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if symptoms improve before completion 5