Amoxicillin Suspension Volume Per Dose
Amoxicillin oral suspension is available in two concentrations (125 mg/5 mL and 250 mg/5 mL), meaning each dose is 5 mL when using the standard concentration formulations. 1
Standard Suspension Volumes
The FDA-approved amoxicillin oral suspension provides the following volumes per dose based on concentration:
- 125 mg/5 mL suspension: Each 5 mL contains 125 mg of amoxicillin 1
- 250 mg/5 mL suspension: Each 5 mL contains 250 mg of amoxicillin 1
Key Clinical Considerations
The volume administered depends on the prescribed dose and the concentration of suspension used. For example, if a child requires 250 mg of amoxicillin:
Sodium Content
Each formulation contains different sodium amounts per 5 mL dose:
- 125 mg/5 mL suspension: 0.11 mEq (2.51 mg) sodium per 5 mL 1
- 250 mg/5 mL suspension: 0.15 mEq (3.36 mg) sodium per 5 mL 1
Important Pitfalls to Avoid
Always verify which concentration of suspension is being dispensed before calculating the volume to administer. The same milligram dose requires different volumes depending on suspension concentration. 1 Confusion between concentrations is a common source of dosing errors in pediatric patients.
Amoxicillin can be taken without regard to meals, though administration with food may improve gastrointestinal tolerability. 1 This flexibility allows dosing to be timed for optimal adherence rather than being restricted by meal schedules.