Liquid Augmentin Dosing for a 70-Pound Pediatric Patient
For a 70-pound (approximately 32 kg) child with normal renal function, the recommended dose of liquid Augmentin depends on infection severity: for mild-to-moderate infections, administer 20-25 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component divided every 8-12 hours (approximately 640-800 mg/day total), or for severe infections and lower respiratory tract infections, use 40-45 mg/kg/day divided every 8-12 hours (approximately 1,280-1,440 mg/day total). 1
Weight-Based Calculation
- A 70-pound patient equals approximately 31.8 kg (70 ÷ 2.2 = 31.8 kg) 1
- Pediatric dosing must be calculated using weight-based formulas (mg/kg) rather than body surface area for children under 40 kg to ensure accuracy 1
Standard Dosing Regimens
Mild-to-Moderate Infections
- Dose: 20-25 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin component 1
- For 32 kg patient: 640-800 mg/day total amoxicillin
- Divided dosing: Every 8-12 hours (either 213-267 mg three times daily OR 320-400 mg twice daily)
Severe Infections or Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
- Dose: 40-45 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin component 1
- For 32 kg patient: 1,280-1,440 mg/day total amoxicillin
- Divided dosing: Every 8-12 hours (either 427-480 mg three times daily OR 640-720 mg twice daily)
High-Dose Formulation Considerations
- For persistent or recurrent acute otitis media with risk factors for drug-resistant pathogens, the high-dose formulation (Augmentin ES-600) provides 90 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin in two divided doses 2, 3
- This would equal approximately 2,880 mg/day for a 32 kg patient, divided into 1,440 mg twice daily 2
- The high-dose formulation maintains a 14:1 ratio of amoxicillin to clavulanate, minimizing gastrointestinal side effects while maximizing efficacy against resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae 2, 3
Practical Liquid Formulation Selection
- Standard liquid Augmentin formulations include 200 mg/5 mL, 250 mg/5 mL, and 400 mg/5 mL concentrations 2
- The ES-600 formulation provides 600 mg amoxicillin per 5 mL for high-dose therapy 2, 3
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not use adult dosing guidelines for pediatric patients; always calculate based on weight 1
- Ensure the dose is based on the amoxicillin component, not the total combination weight 2
- For complicated intra-abdominal infections requiring broader coverage, standard Augmentin may be insufficient and alternative regimens should be considered 4
- Monitor for gastrointestinal side effects, which are generally mild and transient 5, 6