Amoxicilin

Question 1

What are the routes of Amoxicilin?

Answer 1

Oral
Intravenous Injection
Intravenous Infusion

Question 2

What are the doses of Amoxicilin for each route?

Answer 2

Mouth: 
Neonate: 30mg/kg
1 month to 1 year: 125mg, 3 times daily 
1-5: 250mg 3 times daily 
5-12: 500 mg daily 
12-18: ditto - 1g in severe infection 

Injection/Infusion:
Neonate under 7 days: 30mg/kg every 12 hours
Neonate 7-28 days: 30mg/kg every 8 hours
Child 1-18 years: 20-30mg/kg every 8 hours

MENINGITIS INFUSION:
Neonate -7 days: 50mg/kg every 12 hours
7-28 days: 50mg/kg every 8 hours
1 month - 18 years: 50mg/kg every 8 hours

Question 3

Why is Amoxicilin prescribed?

Answer 3

Urinary-tract infections, sinusitis, otis media, community acquired pneumonia, lyme disease, salmonellosis, cystic fibrosis

Question 4

Side effects of Amoxicillin?

Answer 4

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes

Question 5

Cautions of Amoxicillin?

Answer 5

Maintain adequate hydration, history of allergies: rashes common in glandular fever and acute or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, use with caution in those with asthma

Question 6

Nursing Implications of Amoxicilin?

Answer 6

Monitor bowel movements: diarrhoea as this could indicate a reaction to the drug
Assess for rashes
Identify allergies

Question 7

Health education relating to Amoxicilin?

Answer 7

Complete course as prescribed
No sharing with others
Take with or without food