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Aminopenicillin Antibiotic

Amoxicillin (Paediatric)

Brand names: Amoxil

This page covers amoxicillin in children — a broad-spectrum aminopenicillin used for common paediatric infections such as otitis media, pneumonia and other respiratory and urinary tract infections.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

Amoxicillin inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins, leading to lysis of susceptible organisms.

Prescribing in practice

  • Confirm there is no history of penicillin allergy before prescribing, and dose by weight using a children's formulary, with adjustment in significant renal impairment.
  • A non-allergic maculopapular rash is common when amoxicillin is given in glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis), so avoid it in that setting.
  • The oral suspension allows accurate paediatric dosing and should be reconstituted and stored according to the product instructions.

Monitoring

Monitor clinical response to treatment and watch for allergic reactions or persistent diarrhoea.

Counselling the patient

  • Complete the full course even if the child feels better.
  • Shake the suspension well and use the measuring device provided.
  • Report any rash, facial swelling or breathing difficulty straight away.

Evidence & guidelines

Amoxicillin is recommended first-line for many common childhood bacterial infections in NICE guidance.

Reference: NICE NG143 Pneumonia; Red Book AAP; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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