Pediatric Antibiotic Dosage Calculator & Supply Check
Calculate exact liquid suspension volumes (mL) for children. Includes "Days of Supply" check to prevent running out of medicine.
About
Administering liquid antibiotics to children creates a "math anxiety" moment for many parents and caregivers. The process involves converting a weight-based medical order (e.g., 40 mg/kg/day) into a volumetric measurement (mL), determined by the concentration of the suspension provided by the pharmacy (e.g., 250mg/5mL). Errors here are common and result in under-dosing.
Furthermore, standard bottle sizes (100mL, 200mL) often do not align perfectly with the prescribed course duration (e.g., 10 days). This tool solves both problems: it calculates the precise mL per dose based on weight and severity, and then checks if the dispensed bottle volume is sufficient to complete the full course of treatment, alerting parents if a refill will be needed mid-course.
Formulas
Volume Calculation:
Voldose = Weight × RatedailyConcmg/mL × Freqdaily
Supply Check:
Dayssupply = VolbottleVoldose × Freqdaily
If Dayssupply < Dayscourse, the supply is insufficient.
Reference Data
| Antibiotic | Concentration | Mild Dose | Severe Dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin | 250 mg / 5 mL | 25 mg/kg | 45 mg/kg |
| Amox-Clav (Augmentin) | 400 mg / 5 mL | 25 mg/kg | 45 mg/kg |
| Cephalexin | 250 mg / 5 mL | 25 mg/kg | 50 mg/kg |
| Azithromycin | 200 mg / 5 mL | 10 mg/kg | 12 mg/kg |
| Cefdinir | 125 mg / 5 mL | 14 mg/kg | 14 mg/kg |