Cefixime Dosing for 16 kg Child
For a 16 kg child, administer 6.4 mL per day of cefixime 100 mg/5 mL suspension, which can be given as a single daily dose or divided into 3.2 mL every 12 hours. 1
Dosing Calculation
The FDA-approved pediatric dose of cefixime is 8 mg/kg/day, which may be administered as a single daily dose or divided into 4 mg/kg every 12 hours 1
For a 16 kg child:
- Total daily dose = 8 mg/kg × 16 kg = 128 mg/day
- Using the 100 mg/5 mL concentration: 128 mg ÷ 20 mg/mL = 6.4 mL/day 1
According to the FDA dosing table, children weighing 12.6 to 20.5 kg should receive 150 mg/day (7.5 mL of the 100 mg/5 mL suspension), which represents the rounded dose for ease of administration 1
Dosing Options
Single daily dosing: Administer 6.4 mL (or rounded to 7.5 mL per FDA table) once daily 1
Divided dosing: Administer 3.2 mL (or rounded to approximately 4 mL) every 12 hours 1
Both regimens are FDA-approved and equally effective for most indications 1
Duration and Important Considerations
For infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (pharyngitis/tonsillitis), continue treatment for at least 10 days to prevent rheumatic fever complications 1
For otitis media, the suspension formulation must be used rather than tablets or capsules, as the suspension achieves higher peak blood levels at equivalent doses 1
After reconstitution, the suspension remains stable for 14 days at room temperature or refrigerated; shake well before each use and discard unused portion after 14 days 1