From the FDA Drug Label
Table 1 (12 weeks) n 40 kg Recommended Dosage for Pediatric Patients Aged 3 Months and Older and Weight Less than 40 kg Ear/Nose/Throat Mild/ Moderate 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours Severe 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours
The recommended augmenting dose for mouth infection (which can be considered as an infection of the Ear/Nose/Throat) is:
- For mild/moderate infections: 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours
- For severe infections: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours 1 1
From the Research
For a mouth infection, the most effective treatment is to use clindamycin 300mg four times daily for 7 days, as it has been shown to have a higher success rate and lower treatment costs compared to other antibiotic regimens, as seen in the study by 2. This is because clindamycin has been found to be effective against a wide range of oral bacteria, including those that are resistant to other antibiotics. Some key points to consider when treating a mouth infection include:
- Completing the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve, to ensure that the infection is fully cleared
- Maintaining good oral hygiene through gentle brushing and saltwater rinses (1/2 teaspoon salt in 8oz warm water) 3-4 times daily
- Staying hydrated to help the body recover from the infection
- Managing pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as needed It's also important to note that the use of antibiotics should be tailored to the specific needs of the patient, and that the choice of antibiotic should be based on the most recent and highest quality evidence available, such as the study by 3, which found that clindamycin prescriptions were higher in Norway and Sweden. Additionally, the study by 4 found that penicillin V remains the antimicrobial of choice for the initial empirical treatment of odontogenic infections, but clindamycin is a suitable alternative for patients with penicillin allergies. Overall, the goal of treatment should be to effectively manage the infection while minimizing the risk of adverse effects and promoting the best possible outcomes for the patient, as seen in the study by 5.