What is the recommended dosage of cefdinir (Cephalosporin antibiotic) for a 19-month-old child?

Cefdinir Dosage for a 19-Month-Old Child

The recommended dosage of cefdinir for a 19-month-old child is 14 mg/kg/day, which can be administered as a single daily dose or divided into two doses (7 mg/kg twice daily). 1

Dosing Guidelines Based on FDA Label

• The FDA-approved dosage for cefdinir in pediatric patients aged 6 months through 12 years is 14 mg/kg/day, up to a maximum dose of 600 mg per day 1
• For most infections, cefdinir can be administered as:
  • 14 mg/kg once daily (q24h), OR
  • 7 mg/kg twice daily (q12h) 1
• The duration of treatment depends on the type of infection:
  • Acute bacterial otitis media: 5-10 days (once daily) or 10 days (twice daily) 1
  • Acute maxillary sinusitis: 10 days 1
  • Pharyngitis/tonsillitis: 5-10 days (once daily) or 10 days (twice daily) 1
  • Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections: 10 days (must be given twice daily) 1

Practical Administration

• For a 19-month-old child, cefdinir is available as an oral suspension in two concentrations:
  • 125 mg/5 mL
  • 250 mg/5 mL 1
• The dose should be calculated based on the child's weight:
  • For example, if the child weighs approximately 11-12 kg, the daily dose would be around 154-168 mg 1
  • This could be given as 77-84 mg twice daily or 154-168 mg once daily 1

Clinical Efficacy and Safety

• Cefdinir has demonstrated good clinical and bacteriological efficacy in the treatment of various pediatric infections including respiratory tract and skin infections 2
• It provides good coverage against common pediatric pathogens including Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae 2
• The drug is stable to hydrolysis by commonly occurring plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases and retains good activity against beta-lactamase-producing strains 2

Administration Considerations

• Cefdinir oral suspension can be administered without regard to meals 1
• After reconstitution, the suspension can be stored at room temperature (25°C/77°F) 1
• The container should be kept tightly closed, and the suspension should be shaken well before each administration 1
• The suspension may be used for 10 days, after which any unused portion must be discarded 1

Special Considerations

• For pediatric patients with renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min/1.73 m²), the dose should be reduced to 7 mg/kg given once daily 1
• For patients on hemodialysis, the recommended dosage is 7 mg/kg every other day, with an additional dose after each hemodialysis session 1
• The most common adverse event reported in pediatric patients is diarrhea 2, 3

Comparative Efficacy

• In clinical studies, cefdinir has shown efficacy comparable to other antibiotics commonly used in pediatric patients 4
• For skin infections, cefdinir (7 mg/kg twice daily) demonstrated clinical cure rates of 98.3% compared to 93.8% with cephalexin (10 mg/kg four times daily) 3
• The convenient once- or twice-daily dosing of cefdinir may offer advantages over antibiotics requiring more frequent administration 4

Remember to adjust the dose based on the child's exact weight and the specific infection being treated, and to complete the full course of treatment as prescribed.