Amoxicillin dosage varies depending on what type of bacterial infection it is being used to treat and how severe the condition is. Take a look at the following article to find out about the factors which influence the dosage amount.
Amoxicillin is an over the counter anti bacterial antibiotic within the group of penicillin. Most of those people who are reading this have had this medication at least once in their lifetime, the reason could be any one of those annoying bacterial infections. It is prescribed for a number of bacterial infections that afflict a wide range of body parts. Sometimes, it is given in tandem with another antibiotic. The dosage is of course not an issue we give a thought to, that is the doctor’s ordeal, depending on what a patient is suffering from and how grave it is.
Factors Influencing Dosage
What the ailment is and how grave it is, were two aspects mentioned above which are instrumental for the doctor to decide a dose. Along with these two crucial factors, the age of the patient, his overall health, and consumption of any other medicine and its possible interaction with amoxicillin also have to be considered.
Dosage for Children
The dosage varies as per the disease, hence, here is a list of the most common problems faced by kids and the respective doses for them.
Typical Dosage – Tonsillitis/ Pharyngitis
For kids in the age group of 4 weeks to 3 months the dosage is 20 to 30 mg/kg per day. It is divided in doses every 12 hours. On the other hand, children aging between 4 months and 12 years are prescribed 20 to 50 mg/kg/day, divided in doses every 8 to 12 hours. Those who are above 12, may be prescribed 250 to 500 mg orally 3 times a day for 7 to 10 days, or 500 to 875 mg orally twice a day may be advised. This will be the immediate release dosage. The extended-release dosage is 775 mg orally once a day within an hour post meals for 10 days, especially for infections secondary to S pyogenes.
Typical Dosage – Pneumonia
A usual pneumonia dosage for kids is 40 to 50 mg/kg/day orally. It is divided in doses for every 8 hours.
Typical Dosage – Ear Infection
Also called Otitis Media, the normal dosage for an ear infection in children between the age group of 4 weeks to 3 months is 20 to 30 mg/kg/day. The dose will have to be divided every 12 hours. Children in the age range of 4 months to 12 years are prescribed 20 to 50 mg/kg per day. Every 8 to 12 hours, divided dosage is administered. In case of acute otitis media, as a result of highly resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumonia, doses of 80 to 90 mg/kg/day are administered orally, which will again be divided in 2 equal doses with a gap of 12 hours in between.
Dosage for Adults
Typical Dosage – Urinary Tract Infection
For UTI, the dosage is generally 250 to 500 mg orally, thrice a day for 3 to 7 days to begin with. If not that, then 500 to 875 mg of this antibiotic for UTI is administered orally two times a day.
Dosage for Sinus infection
The normal dosage for sinus infection is 250 to 500 mg orally. It has be divided to be taken 3 times a day for 10 days to two weeks. Likewise, amoxicillin for sinus infection – 500 to 875 mg can be administered orally twice a day. If the infection is recurring, a longer course of this antibiotic may be prescribed by the doctor.
Apart from the ones mentioned above there are numerous other infections which are treated with this medication. The dosage varies accordingly and is prescribed by the doctor taking all the facotrs into consideration.
Finally, after taking the medicine, if you see a reaction of the dosage, please discontinue its use after consulting with the doctor. Avoid taking amoxicillin without speaking to a concerned health care provider. Take care.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
