What is the recommended dose and duration of Penicillin (Penicillin) for a 12-year-old with Streptococcal infection?

From the Guidelines

For a 12-year-old with streptococcal infection, the standard treatment is penicillin for a full 10 days, even if symptoms improve before then, with a typical dosage for oral penicillin V of 250 mg taken 2-3 times daily, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. The treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis in children is crucial to prevent complications such as rheumatic fever and kidney inflammation.

• The dosage of penicillin V for a 12-year-old is 250 mg taken 2-3 times daily for 10 days, as stated in the guidelines 1.
• Alternatively, amoxicillin may be prescribed at 50 mg/kg once daily (maximum 1000 mg) for 10 days, which some children find more palatable 1.
• It's essential to complete the entire course of antibiotics to fully eradicate the bacteria and prevent complications.
• If the child has a penicillin allergy, alternatives such as azithromycin or clindamycin may be prescribed, with dosages of 12 mg/kg once daily (maximum 500 mg) for 5 days and 7 mg/kg per dose three times daily (maximum 300 mg per dose) for 10 days, respectively 1.
• Ensure the child takes the medication with food if it causes stomach upset, and contact a healthcare provider if the child develops a rash, has difficulty breathing, or shows no improvement after 48-72 hours of treatment. The most recent and highest quality study 1 provides the strongest evidence for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis in children, and its recommendations should be followed to ensure the best possible outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.

From the FDA Drug Label

The usual dosage recommendations for adults and children 12 years and over are as follows: Streptococcal Infections Mild to moderately severe - of the upper respiratory tract and including scarlet fever and erysipelas: 125 to 250 mg (200,000 to 400,000 units) every 6 to 8 hours for 10 days

• Dose: 125 to 250 mg (200,000 to 400,000 units) every 6 to 8 hours
• Length of time: 10 days
• Streptococcal infections in a 12-year-old should be treated with penicillin V (PO) at the above dose and duration, as per the dosage recommendations for children 12 years and over 2

From the Research

Dosage and Length of Time for Streptococcal Infection Treatment

• The dosage and length of time for treating streptococcal infections with penicillin can vary depending on the patient's age and the specific antibiotic used 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• For patients aged 12 years and older, a 10-day course of penicillin V is commonly recommended 3, 5.
• However, some studies suggest that shorter courses of alternative antibiotics, such as azithromycin or clarithromycin, may be effective in treating streptococcal pharyngitis 4, 6, 7.
• A study comparing azithromycin and penicillin V found that a 3-day course of azithromycin was associated with similar clinical efficacy but lower bacteriologic eradication rates compared to a 10-day course of penicillin V 6.
• Another study found that a 5-day course of cefuroxime axetil was as effective as a 10-day course of penicillin V in treating streptococcal pharyngitis in children aged 1-17 years 4.

Penicillin Dosage and Treatment Duration

• The recommended dosage of penicillin V for treating streptococcal pharyngitis is 250 mg three times daily for 10 days 3, 5.
• However, some studies suggest that alternative dosing regimens, such as a 5-day course of cefuroxime axetil, may be effective in treating streptococcal pharyngitis 4.
• The treatment duration for streptococcal infections with penicillin is typically 10 days, but shorter courses of alternative antibiotics may be effective in certain cases 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Age-Specific Treatment Considerations

• For children aged 1-12 years, a 10-day course of penicillin V is commonly recommended 4, 6.
• For patients aged 12 years and older, a 10-day course of penicillin V is also recommended, but alternative antibiotics such as azithromycin or clarithromycin may be considered 3, 5, 7.
• The choice of antibiotic and treatment duration should be based on the patient's age, medical history, and other factors, and should be guided by clinical judgment and evidence-based guidelines 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.