IV Augmentin Dosing for Pediatric Patients
For hospitalized children requiring intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin), the recommended dose is 100-200 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component, divided into 3-4 doses given every 6-8 hours. 1
Standard IV Dosing Regimen
- The typical IV dose range is 100-200 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin component, administered by short intravenous infusion in 3 or 4 divided doses 1
- For most hospitalized pediatric infections, including lower respiratory tract infections, this dosing achieved complete clinical cure or distinct clinical improvement in all assessable cases with 92% bacteriological success 1
When IV Augmentin Is Indicated
- IV Augmentin is primarily used for hospitalized children who cannot tolerate oral medications or require parenteral therapy for severe infections 1
- For hospitalized children with community-acquired pneumonia who are fully immunized and in areas with minimal penicillin resistance, ampicillin or penicillin G are preferred over amoxicillin-clavulanate 2
- However, for children not fully immunized for H. influenzae type b and S. pneumoniae, or in areas with significant penicillin resistance, ceftriaxone or cefotaxime are recommended first-line agents 2
Transition to Oral Therapy
- Once clinical improvement is demonstrated (typically within 48-72 hours), transition to oral amoxicillin-clavulanate should be considered 3, 4
- Oral dosing after IV therapy is 90 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component divided into 2 doses, with a maximum of 4000 mg/day 3
Important Clinical Considerations
- The IV formulation is generally well tolerated, with only mild, transient adverse events (such as exanthema) reported in rare cases 1
- No additional therapeutic measures were required in clinical studies of IV Augmentin in pediatric patients 1
- Children should demonstrate clinical improvement within 48-72 hours; if no improvement occurs, reevaluation and consideration of alternative diagnoses or resistant pathogens is necessary 3, 4