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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
For the oral suspension (powder or reconstituted suspension): follow manufacturer’s instructions.