Pediamox Dosing for 8.5 kg One-Year-Old
For an 8.5 kg one-year-old child, give 3.2 mL of Pediamox (amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL suspension) twice daily for standard respiratory infections, or 6.4 mL twice daily for severe infections or areas with high pneumococcal resistance.
Dosing Calculation
Standard Dose (45 mg/kg/day)
- Total daily dose: 8.5 kg × 45 mg/kg = 382.5 mg/day 1
- Per dose (twice daily): 191.25 mg per dose
- Volume per dose: 191.25 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 3.8 mL twice daily (if using 250 mg/5 mL suspension, this equals 3.8 mL)
- Practical rounding: 3.5-4 mL twice daily 1
High Dose (90 mg/kg/day)
- Total daily dose: 8.5 kg × 90 mg/kg = 765 mg/day 1
- Per dose (twice daily): 382.5 mg per dose
- Volume per dose: 382.5 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 7.7 mL twice daily
- Practical rounding: 6.5-7.5 mL twice daily 1
When to Use Each Dose
Use Standard Dose (3.5-4 mL twice daily) for:
- Mild to moderate respiratory tract infections 1
- Community-acquired pneumonia in fully immunized children without recent antibiotic exposure 1
- Group A Streptococcal infections (pharyngitis) 1
Use High Dose (6.5-7.5 mL twice daily) for:
- Severe respiratory infections 1
- Areas with high pneumococcal resistance 1
- Recent antibiotic exposure within past 3 months 1
- Inadequate H. influenzae type b vaccination 1
- Concurrent purulent acute otitis media 1
Treatment Duration and Monitoring
- Standard duration: 7-10 days for most respiratory infections 1
- Pneumonia specifically: 10 days of treatment 1
- Expected improvement: Clinical improvement should occur within 48-72 hours 1
- If no improvement: Reevaluate and consider alternative pathogens or complications 1
Critical Considerations
Suspension concentration matters: Verify you have the 250 mg/5 mL formulation (50 mg/mL concentration), as other concentrations exist and would require different volumes 1
Twice-daily dosing is preferred over three-times-daily for better adherence and tolerability 1
Complete the full course even if symptoms improve before completion 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don't underdose: In areas with high pneumococcal resistance or severe infections, the standard 45 mg/kg/day dose may be inadequate 1
- Don't use three-times-daily dosing: Twice-daily administration has better adherence and similar efficacy 1
- Don't stop early: Even if fever resolves in 24-48 hours, complete the full 7-10 day course 1
- Don't ignore lack of improvement: If no clinical improvement by 48-72 hours, reevaluation is mandatory 1