Amoxicillin belongs to a class of antibiotics called penicillins, which stop the growth of specific bacteria. Physicians prescribe amoxicillin for a variety of infections that affect the sinus, nose, throat, ears, skin, urinary tract and stomach. Amoxicillin is available in a number of oral dosage forms to help parents administer it safely and effectively to their children.
Pediatric Drops
According to PubMed Health, a website of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, amoxicillin is available in a pediatric drop form for infants. Each ml of this bubble-gum flavored liquid contains 50 mg of amoxicillin, states Rx List. Babies under the age of 3 months receive 30 mg of amoxicillin each day for every 2.2 lb. of body weight, according to Rx List. Pediatric drops can be placed directly in the mouth or mixed with baby formula, juice or water, notes Drugs.com.
Oral Suspension
Older children may take an oral suspension form of amoxicillin that's also bubble-gum flavored. The suspension is manufactured in three strengths: 200 mg/5 ml, 250 mg/5ml and 400 mg/5ml. The strengths reflect the amount of the drug in 5 ml, or 1 tsp., of the suspension. A child who takes 5 ml of the 250mg/5ml dose, for example, is receiving 250 mg of amoxicillin. The recommended pediatric dosage varies from 25 mg/kg per day to 45 mg/kg per day, depending on the underlying infection, according to Rx List. The suspension should be shaken well and measured with a marked measuring spoon to ensure that the right dose is given. Regular silverware should not be used to measure medication doses, warns Drugs.com.
Chewable Tablets
Once children are old enough to chew and swallow soft tablets, parents can safely administer the chewable tablet form of amoxicillin. Available in both 200 mg and 400 mg dosages, these cherry-banana-peppermint flavored tablets are more convenient than oral suspensions. The recommended dosage varies from 25 mg/kg per day to 45 mg/kg per day in divided dosages.
Regular Tablets
Older children who can safely swallow whole tablets may take 500 mg or 875 mg tablets of amoxicillin. It's important that caregivers monitor children while they swallow these tablets, to make sure there's no choking. Again, the dosage range is 25 mg/kg per day to 45 mg/kg per day.
Extended Release Tablets
Amoxicillin is also manufactured in 775 mg extended-release tablets, according to Rx List. It's important for children to swallow these tablets whole, rather than crushing or chewing them, to avoid releasing too much amoxicillin at one time, states Drugs.com.
Capsules
Amoxicillin is also available in 500 mg capsules to be swallowed whole without opening, notes Rx List.
