Читать книгу The Dentist's Drug and Prescription Guide - Mea A. Weinberg - Страница 19

*Note: The prescriber should use their own judgment in prescribing for pediatric patients. The prescriptions in this section are not absolute numbers, only suggestions.

1 Q. Are there standardized dosage recommendations for children?

2 A. Yes. The dosage is dependent on the age and weight of the child. It should be noted that there is a wide range of correct dosages for a drug. Usually, drug information for pediatric dosage (mg/kg) is supplied by the drug manufacturer. For example, the dose recommendations for children on amoxicillin range from 20 to 45 mg/kg body weight per day depending on weight and height of the patient and the severity (mild or severe infection) of the medical condition. (www.emiphysicians.com/calculator1.html).

3 Q. Should a solid dose form or liquid suspension or solution be given to a pediatric patient?

4 A. It depends on the age and weight of the child but always ask the parent if the child can swallow a pill. Sometimes when calculating dosage, it may be more accurate to give a liquid dosage form.

5 Q. What is the difference between mL and cc?

6 A. mL (milliliters) is sometimes referred to as cc or cubic centimeters. Sometimes, a medical dropper will have markers in cc; cc is the same as mL.

7 Q. How does the parent accurately measure out teaspoonfuls or mL?

8 A. Medicine droppers and spoons are available in the pharmacy. The dropper and spoon have measurements in medical teaspoonful (tsp) and mL. The patient should be cautioned not to use a household teaspoon because it can vary in size.

9 Q. What should be prescribed if the calculation for a pediatric dose is, for example, 275 mg for penillicin V?

10 A. Since there is no dosage strength available for 275 mg, it is recommended to always use the lower dose and then increase the number of days of therapy (prescribe the antibiotic for 10 days rather than seven days) or to use the suspension instead.

11 Q. What directions should be given to the parent about oral suspensions?

12 A. Oral suspensions should be shaken very well and stored in the refrigerator. Any unused medicine should be discarded after 14 days.

13 Q. Given the following case, what dosage of penicillin V should be prescribed to this child?

14 A. 10‐year‐old male patient who weighs 32 kg (70 lbs) has an endodontic abscess that is not draining. An antibiotic should be prescribed. Penicillin V is the drug of choice. The antibiotic can be prescribed as an oral suspension or as a tablet.