Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium ES Dosage

If your child has an ear infection, the dose of amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium ES prescribed will depend on your child's weight. This prescription medicine comes in the form of a liquid and is typically taken twice daily. This antibiotic should be taken at the beginning of a meal, as food increases the absorption of the medicine.

An Introduction to Dosing With Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium ES

The dose of amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium ES (Augmentin ES^®) your child's healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on the weight of your child. As is always the case, do not adjust the dosage unless the healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium ES Dose for Ear Infections

The recommended amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium ES dosage depends on weight. The standard dosage is 45 mg per kg twice daily (about 20 mg per pound twice daily), based on the amoxicillin component. Each teaspoonful (5 mL) of Augmentin contains 600 mg of amoxicillin, along with 42.9 mg of clavulanic acid.

To provide some idea of whether a particular recommended dosage is appropriate for your child, see the following amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium ES dosages:

8 kg (17.6 pounds) -- 3 mL twice daily
12 kg (26.4 pounds) -- 4.5 mL twice daily
16 kg (35.2 pounds) -- 6 mL twice daily
20 kg (44 pounds) -- 7.5 mL twice daily
24 kg (52.8 pounds) -- 9 mL twice daily
28 kg (61.6 pounds) -- 10.5 mL twice daily
32 kg (70.4 pounds) -- 12 mL twice daily
36 kg (79.2 pounds) -- 13.5 mL twice daily.

Amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium ES is approved for children age 3 months to 12 years old. It is not approved for adults or larger children (who weigh 88 pounds or more), as it has not been adequately studied in these groups.

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