Welcome to the Child Oral Antibiotic Dose Calculator
What is it:
This calculator allows you to check the prescribed doses of antibiotic syrups to make sure they are within a good range for a child's weight or age.
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Using the specifics of the prescription, as well as recommended dosing regimens from AMH and eMims, it calculates the total prescribed daily dose as well the minimum and maximum recommended daily doses, and identifies whether the prescribed dose is low, high, or within the recommended range.
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If the child's weight is high enough to place him or her within the recommended adult range, the calculated values default to adult recommended values.
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Note:the dosing regimens used in this calculator are for acute conditions only. Antibiotic regimens prescribed for prophylaxis (e.g. erythromycin or phenoxymethylpenicillin for rheumatic fever prophylaxis) will likely yield a total daily dose that is much lower than the calculator's recommended minimum.
How to use it:
Step 1: Select the medication
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Select the prescribed medication from the first drop-down box, and the prescribed syrup concentration (eg 250 mg/5 mL) from the next drop-down box.
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Step 2: Input volume per dose
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Enter the prescribed volume per dose in mL. For example, if the prescribed dosing regimen is 6 mL three times a day, enter 6 mL.
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Step 3: Select a dosing frequency
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Select the prescribed dosing frequency from the next drop-down box. The options are daily, twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day.
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Step 4: Input child's weight or age
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Select whether you want to base the recommended dose range on the child's weight or age in the next drop-down box. If you know the child's weight, select weight, and enter the child's weigh in kg. If you don't, select age, and select the age option nearest the child's age.
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Results:
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The calculator will identify the total prescribed daily dose, the minimum and maximum recommended doses and whether the prescribed dose is low or high (in red), or within a good range (in green).