What is the dose of cefdinir for a 100-pound pediatric patient?

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Cefdinir Dosing for a 100-Pound Pediatric Patient

For a 100-pound (45.5 kg) pediatric patient, administer cefdinir 300 mg every 12 hours (total 600 mg/day), which is the maximum daily dose for pediatric patients. 1

Weight-Based Calculation

  • A 100-pound patient equals approximately 45.5 kg 1
  • Standard pediatric dosing is 7 mg/kg every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg every 24 hours 2, 1
  • Calculated dose would be 318.5 mg every 12 hours (7 mg/kg × 45.5 kg) 1
  • However, the FDA label explicitly caps the maximum daily dose at 600 mg per day for all pediatric infections, regardless of weight 1
  • Therefore, patients ≥43 kg (95 lbs) receive the maximum dose of 300 mg every 12 hours or 600 mg once daily 1

Dosing Regimen Options

Twice-daily dosing (preferred for most infections):

  • 300 mg every 12 hours for 10 days 1
  • This regimen is required for uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections 1

Once-daily dosing (acceptable for specific infections):

  • 600 mg every 24 hours for 10 days 2, 1
  • This option is effective for acute otitis media, sinusitis, and pharyngitis/tonsillitis 2, 1
  • Once-daily dosing has not been studied in skin infections and should not be used for this indication 1

Clinical Context

  • Cefdinir serves as an alternative agent for β-lactamase-producing Haemophilus influenzae in community-acquired pneumonia when amoxicillin-clavulanate cannot be used 3, 2
  • The drug may be administered without regard to meals 1
  • High-dose amoxicillin (90 mg/kg/day) remains superior for resistant pneumococcal infections 2

Important Caveat

Note the concentration discrepancy in your question: You mentioned "cefdinir 200mg/ml," but standard cefdinir oral suspension comes in 125 mg/5 mL or 250 mg/5 mL concentrations 1. A 200 mg/mL concentration does not exist in standard formulations and would represent an extremely concentrated preparation not commercially available 1.

References

Guideline

Cefdinir Dosing Guidelines for Pediatric Patients

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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