simple drug calculation

Specialties Pediatric

Published

A boy has been prescribed Amoxicillin for his ear infection. It is in the liquid form. I've started a nursing course, so I wonder if my calculations are correct:

Amoxicillin 400mg/5L

BNF says up to 30mg/kg, 3 times daily

The boy weighs 23 kg

23 x 30 = 690

690mg/400mg x 5 mL = 8.6 mL

So his single dose, 3 times daily would be 8.6 mL?

Thank you

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Specializes in NICU.

correct

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Thank you!

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Specializes in pediatric.

Yes, I come up with 8.625 mL, although I was thrown at first by the "400mg/5L." ;)

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Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.

L - that's a lot of Amox. ??

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Specializes in Pedi.

Are you sure it's not supposed to be 30 mg/kg/DAY, divided into 3 doses? So 10 mg/kg/DOSE? The usual pediatric dose for amoxicillin for OM is 20 to 50 mg/kg/day, divided either q 12hr or q 8hr. 90 mg/kg/day is a way high dose for OM.

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

And also- if this was a real order, the provider would specify the exact mg/kg/day dose- you wouldn't go by the range given in the pharm book. I'm sure you knew that already though!

400mg/5L. Hahaha! Can you imagine having to administer that??

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