Amoxicillin
Brands Names: Amoxicot, Amoxil, Moxilin, Moxypen, Trimox
- Form of administration: Pills or suspension
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Why is the drug here:
The most common and useful antibiotic in pediatrics.
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Purpose of treatment:
First line treatment of many infections in children, most often infections above the diaphragm, such as: Strep’ throat, ear infection, pneumonia and more.
- Ingredients: An antibiotic from the penicillin family called Amoxicillin.
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How to use:
Suspension (or a pill for those who knows how to swallow them). The dose varies according to the site of infection and the weight of the child. For example, in the treatment of acute otitis media the dose is 80 milligrams per kilogram of body weight divided twice a day (up to 750 milligrams twice a day), while in the treatment of streptococcal throat infection the dose is 50 milligrams per kilogram, divided twice a day (up to 500 milligrams twice a day). For example, a child who weighs 16 kilograms and needs treatment for an ear infection or pneumonia will be treated with 650 milligrams twice a day, while for streptococcal throat infection he will receive 400 milligrams twice a day.
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Benefits:
A. A delicious suspension that children love (note, there might be a difference in color and taste).
B. Relatively narrow range – meaning that it is a basic antibiotic from the penicillin family that does the job properly. There is no need to treat with broader spectrum antibiotics.
C. Cheap and available.
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Side Effects:
Mostly mild abdominal pain, possibly diarrhea. People which are allergic penicillin may have more severe allergic side effects (read more here).
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Another word from the doctor:
Pay attention to concentration of the Amoxicillin suspensions you are holding. For example, if the concentration of the active substance is 250 milligrams per 5 milliliters (or in other words 50 milligrams per 1 milliliter) or 125 milligrams per 5 milliliters (or in other words 25 milligrams per 1 milliliter). Than you can calculate the dose your child should get.
How to prepare a suspension at home? At the following link.