Amoxicillin Dosing for Upper Respiratory Illness in Children

Dosing Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a standard dose of 45 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses for uncomplicated cases in children ≥2 years without risk factors for resistant organisms 1
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a high dose of 90 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses for children with risk factors for resistant organisms, such as recent antibiotic use, daycare attendance, or high local prevalence of resistant S. pneumoniae 1, 2, 3

The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends a treatment duration of 5-7 days for most upper respiratory infections 2

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using the standard dose (45 mg/kg/day) for uncomplicated cases in children ≥2 years without recent antibiotic exposure, daycare attendance, or mild symptoms 1, 2, 3
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using the high dose (90 mg/kg/day) for children with risk factors for resistant organisms, such as daycare attendance, recent antibiotic use, or moderate to severe illness 1, 2, 3

The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends considering amoxicillin-clavulanate for beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis, with a dosing of 90 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin component with 6.4 mg/kg/day of clavulanate in 2 divided doses 1, 4, 5
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends considering a macrolide, such as azithromycin, for suspected atypical pathogens like Mycoplasma or Chlamydophila, with a dosing of 10 mg/kg on day 1, followed by 5 mg/kg/day once daily on days 2-5 5, 6