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Last updated: January 2024
Therapeutic action
- Penicillin antibacterial
Indications
- Streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever
- Alternative to first-line antibiotic treatment of diphtheria
- Completion treatment following parenteral therapy with penicillin
Forms and strengths
- 250 mg tablet (400 000 IU)
- Powder for oral suspension, 125 mg/5 ml (200 000 IU/5 ml):
- to be reconstituted with filtered water
- to be administered using a measuring device (oral syringe, measuring spoon, or cup with graduations)
Dosage
Streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever
Age | Weight | Daily dose | 125 mg/5 ml oral susp. | 250 mg tablet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
< 1 year | < 10 kg | 125 mg x 2 | 5 ml x 2 | − |
1 to < 6 years | 10 to < 21 kg | 250 mg x 2 | 10 ml x 2 | − |
6 to < 12 years | 21 to < 39 kg | 500 mg x 2 | 20 ml x 2 | 2 tab x 2 |
≥ 12 years and adult | ≥ 39 kg | 1 g x 2 | − | 4 tab x 2 |
Diphtheria
Child under 40 kg: 10 to 15 mg/kg (max. 500 mg) 4 times daily
Child 40 kg and over and adult: 500 mg 4 times daily
Duration
- Streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever: 10 days
- Diphtheria: 14 days
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with allergy to penicillin.
- Administer with caution to patients with allergy to cephalosporin (cross-sensitivity may occur) or severe renal impairment (reduce dose).
- May cause: diarrhea, nausea; allergic reactions sometimes severe.
- Do not combine with methotrexate.
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication
- Breast-feeding: no contra-indication
Remarks
- Take between meals.
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin is also used in children for the prevention of pneumococcal infections in sickle cell disease and recurrence of acute rheumatic fever.
Storage
–
– Below 25 °C
For the oral suspension (powder or reconstituted suspension): follow manufacturer’s instructions.