Amoxicillin

Disclaimer to the Online Edition

This Manual has been designed for use in the NICU at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), London, Ontario, Canada, and represents clinical practice at this institution. The information contained within the Manual may not be applicable to other centres. If users of this Manual are not familiar with a drug, it is recommended that the official monograph be consulted before it is prescribed and administered. Any user of this information is advised that the contributors, Editor and LHSC are not responsible for any errors or omissions, and / or any consequences arising from the use of the information in this Manual.

Amoxicillin

Indication

  • For the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible organisms

Pharmacology

  • Very similar in structure to ampicillin
  • Possesses essentially the same level and spectrum of activity against susceptible organisms as ampicillin (see Ampicillin monograph)
  • Also used with clavulanic acid in a fixed-combination product. Clavulanic acid is an inhibitor of certain B-lactamases that generally inactivate amoxicillin. Administration of the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination produces a synergistic bactericidal effect and expands the spectrum to include many strains of B-lactamase producing bacteria that are resistant to amoxicillin alone

Side Effects

  • May include diarrhea, vomiting, rashes

Dose

  • 7 to 17 mg/kg, po q8h
  • For UTI prophylaxis: 20 mg/kg/day
  • Use the same dose for the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid fixed-combination product (ie. 7 to 17 mg/kg of amoxicillin po q8h; this will automatically supply the correct dose of clavulanic acid)

Supplied

  • 50mg/mL oral suspension (for both amoxicillin and amoxicillin portion of fixed-combination product)
References
  1. McEvoy G K (ed): AHFS Drug Information, American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 1991.
  2. Taketomo CK, Hodding JH and Kraus DM: Pediatric Dosage Handbook, Lexi-Comp Inc., Cleveland, 1992.