Faropenem Dosing for 4-Month-Old Infant (7.5 kg)
The recommended dose of faropenem for a 4-month-old infant weighing 7.5 kg is 37.5 mg three times daily (total daily dose: 112.5 mg/day), calculated at 15 mg/kg/day divided into three doses. 1, 2
Standard Pediatric Dosing
- The established clinical dose for faropenem in pediatric patients is 15 mg/kg/day divided into three doses 1
- For a 7.5 kg infant, this translates to:
- 37.5 mg per dose, administered three times daily
- Total daily dose: 112.5 mg/day 1
Formulation and Administration
- Faropenem is available as an oral dry syrup specifically formulated for pediatric use 1, 2
- The medication should be administered three times daily at approximately 8-hour intervals 2
- Treatment duration typically ranges from 3 to 8 days for most infections, though Group A streptococcal infections may require 5 to 14 days 2
Clinical Efficacy in Young Children
- Clinical studies have demonstrated 90-94% efficacy in pediatric patients with upper respiratory tract infections and otitis media 2
- The drug shows potent antibacterial activity against penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP), a critical pathogen in this age group 2
- Faropenem has a high bacteriological eradication rate against S. pneumoniae 2
Safety Profile in Infants
- The most common adverse effect is diarrhea, occurring in 12.5% of pediatric patients, with an incidence similar to other oral beta-lactam antibiotics 2
- No serious adverse drug reactions have been reported in pediatric studies 2
- Compliance is generally excellent due to the palatability of the dry syrup formulation 2
Important Clinical Considerations
- Faropenem is stable against β-lactamase and has a low propensity for bacterial resistance 1
- The drug has a broad spectrum of activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, as well as anaerobes 1, 3
- However, faropenem is not active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa 4