Omeprazole Capsule Quantity for Infant Suspension
For a 30-day supply of 3 mg daily omeprazole suspension for an infant, order 3 capsules (10 mg each) or 2 capsules (20 mg each), depending on available capsule strengths.
Calculation Rationale
- Total monthly requirement: 3 mg/day × 30 days = 90 mg total 1
- Using 10 mg capsules: 90 mg ÷ 10 mg = 9 capsules needed
- Using 20 mg capsules: 90 mg ÷ 20 mg = 4.5 capsules (round up to 5 capsules)
Practical Preparation Method
The most practical approach is to prepare a compounded suspension from capsules:
- Omeprazole capsules can be opened and the contents mixed with applesauce or compounded into a 6 mg/mL suspension by a retail pharmacy 2
- For a 3 mg daily dose using 6 mg/mL suspension: administer 0.5 mL daily 2
- 30-day supply preparation: Use two 20 mg capsules to create approximately 6.7 mL of 6 mg/mL suspension (40 mg ÷ 6 mg/mL), which provides 40 mg total—sufficient for 13 days 2
- Therefore, order 5 capsules of 20 mg strength to ensure adequate supply for 30 days with preparation buffer
Stability and Storage Considerations
- Omeprazole-sodium bicarbonate suspension 2 mg/mL is stable for at least 45 days when refrigerated at 3-5°C 3
- The reconstituted suspension maintains at least 98% of initial concentration throughout 45 days of refrigerated storage 3
- Partial doses remain stable following exposure to simulated gastric fluid for 2 hours at 37°C, maintaining at least 93% concentration 3
Dosing Context for Infants
- The starting dose of 0.7 mg/kg/day is recommended for severe or refractory GERD in infants under 2 years 1
- Doses may be escalated up to 1.4-2.8 mg/kg/day in divided doses for infants requiring higher acid suppression 1, 4
- The majority of infants respond to 0.7 mg/kg/day, though some require increased dosages up to 2.8 mg/kg/day 4