Calculating Augmentin Volume for Dose Adjustment
To calculate the volume needed when your concentration is 467 mg/5mL and you need 540 mg: multiply 540 mg by 5 mL, then divide by 467 mg, which equals 5.78 mL.
The Calculation Method
The formula is: (Desired dose in mg × Volume of available concentration) ÷ Concentration in mg = Volume to administer
- For this specific case: (540 mg × 5 mL) ÷ 467 mg = 5.78 mL 1
- This represents the volume needed to deliver the full 540 mg dose from your 467 mg/5mL suspension 1
Practical Considerations for Pediatric Dosing
For a 20-month-old child weighing 12 kg, the standard amoxicillin-clavulanate dosing is 40-45 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component divided every 12 hours, which would be 480-540 mg per day total, or 240-270 mg per dose twice daily 1, 2
- The 467 mg/5mL concentration appears to be a high-dose formulation (approximately 400 mg/5mL of amoxicillin component) 1, 3
- If the prescribed dose is 540 mg total daily (270 mg twice daily), you would administer approximately 2.89 mL per dose 1
- If the prescribed dose is 540 mg per individual dose (which would be high for this weight), you would administer 5.78 mL per dose 1
Dosing Context for This Age and Weight
Standard dosing for community-acquired infections in children ≥3 months is 25-45 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin component every 12 hours 1
- For a 12 kg child at 40 mg/kg/day: 480 mg/day total = 240 mg per dose twice daily 1
- For a 12 kg child at 45 mg/kg/day: 540 mg/day total = 270 mg per dose twice daily 1, 2
- High-dose formulations (90 mg/kg/day) are reserved for recurrent/persistent acute otitis media with resistant pathogens, which would be 1080 mg/day = 540 mg per dose twice daily 1, 4, 3
Verification Steps
- Always confirm whether the 540 mg represents the total daily dose or the individual dose 1
- Verify the prescription matches appropriate weight-based dosing for the indication 1, 2
- Use an oral syringe for accurate measurement of the calculated volume 1
- The twice-daily dosing regimen is preferred as it is associated with significantly less diarrhea compared to three-times-daily dosing 1, 5