What is the appropriate cefdinir dose (250 mg/5 mL suspension) for a child weighing 33.5 kg?

Cefdinir Dosing for a 33.5 kg Child

For a child weighing 33.5 kg, administer cefdinir 250 mg/5 mL suspension as 5 mL twice daily (total daily dose 500 mg) or 10 mL once daily (total daily dose 500 mg), depending on the infection type. 1

Weight-Based Dosing Calculation

• The total daily dose of cefdinir for pediatric patients is 14 mg/kg, up to a maximum of 600 mg per day 1
• For a 33.5 kg child: 14 mg/kg × 33.5 kg = 469 mg per day 1
• This falls well below the 600 mg maximum daily dose 1

Practical Administration Using 250 mg/5 mL Suspension

Twice-daily dosing (preferred for skin infections):

• Give 5 mL every 12 hours (250 mg per dose, 500 mg total daily) 1
• This provides approximately 14.9 mg/kg/day, which is appropriate 1

Once-daily dosing (acceptable for respiratory infections):

• Give 10 mL once daily (500 mg total daily) 1
• Once-daily dosing for 10 days is as effective as twice-daily dosing for respiratory tract infections 1

Infection-Specific Duration

• Acute bacterial otitis media: 5-10 days (twice daily) or 10 days (once daily) 1
• Acute maxillary sinusitis: 10 days (either regimen) 1
• Pharyngitis/tonsillitis: 5-10 days (twice daily) or 10 days (once daily) 1
• Uncomplicated skin infections: 10 days (twice daily only—once-daily dosing has not been studied for skin infections) 1

Critical Dosing Considerations

• At 33.5 kg, this child is below the 43 kg threshold where the maximum 600 mg daily dose applies 1
• The FDA-approved dosing chart indicates that children weighing 36 kg receive 10 mL twice daily or 20 mL once daily of the 250 mg/5 mL suspension 1
• For a 33.5 kg child, the dose of 5 mL twice daily (or 10 mL once daily) is appropriate and falls within the weight-based calculation 1

Administration Guidelines

• Cefdinir suspension may be administered without regard to meals 1
• Shake the suspension well before each administration 1
• The suspension can be stored at room temperature (25°C/77°F) in a tightly closed container 1
• Discard any unused portion after 10 days 1

Common Pitfall to Avoid

Do not use adult dosing (300 mg twice daily) simply because the child is approaching adolescence—weight-based pediatric dosing applies for all children under 43 kg, and this patient requires approximately 500 mg daily, not the adult dose of 600 mg daily 1, 2