What is the recommended dosage of cefoxitin (a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic) for a patient weighing 14 kg?

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Cefoxitin Dosage for 14 kg Patient

For a 14 kg pediatric patient, administer cefoxitin 150 mg/kg/day divided into 3-4 doses intravenously, which equals approximately 525 mg per dose given every 6-8 hours (total daily dose: 2,100 mg/day). 1

Dosing Calculation

  • Standard pediatric dose: 150 mg/kg/day in 3-4 divided doses 1
  • For 14 kg patient: 150 mg/kg × 14 kg = 2,100 mg/day total
  • Divided dosing options:
    • Every 6 hours (4 doses/day): 525 mg per dose
    • Every 8 hours (3 doses/day): 700 mg per dose 1

Maximum Dose Considerations

  • The maximum daily dose is 12 g/day, which this patient is well below 1
  • This dosing applies to children aged 1 month and above 1

Administration Guidelines

  • Route: Intravenous infusion 1
  • Preparation: Doses over 2 g should be diluted in sodium chloride 0.9% or glucose 5% 1
  • For this patient's dose range (525-700 mg), standard IV administration is appropriate 1

Important Clinical Considerations

Renal function monitoring is essential, as cefoxitin requires dose adjustment in renal impairment 1. If creatinine clearance is reduced, either decrease the dose or increase the dosing interval 1.

Nephrotoxicity risk increases when cefoxitin is combined with aminoglycosides or furosemide 1. Avoid concurrent use when possible, or monitor renal function closely if combination therapy is necessary.

Routine monitoring should include complete blood count, renal function tests (U&Es), and liver function tests intermittently throughout treatment 1.

Alternative Dosing Context

For surgical prophylaxis specifically (if applicable), the dosing differs: 1-2 g IV every 8 hours in adults 1. However, the therapeutic dosing outlined above (150 mg/kg/day) is appropriate for treatment of active infections in pediatric patients 1.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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