Cefotaxime Pediatric Dose Calculator
Weight-based cefotaxime dosing for children, with maximum doses, age limits and sources. Enter age and weight for the dose in mg and injection volume.
Pediatric dosing
Serious infection / sepsis Hospital
Bacterial meningitis (>28 days) Hospital
Cefotaxime dose chart by age and weight
Serious infection / sepsis. Weights are WHO/IAP reference medians for age — always dose on the measured weight.
| Age | Weight | Dose (mg) | 1 g vial + 10 mL water for injection (≈100 mg/mL) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 days | 3.8 kg | 190 mg | 1.9 mL | Every 8 hours |
| 1 month | 4.3 kg | 215 mg | 2.2 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 3 months | 6.1 kg | 305 mg | 3.1 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 6 months | 7.6 kg | 380 mg | 3.8 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 9 months | 8.6 kg | 430 mg | 4.3 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 1 year | 9.3 kg | 465 mg | 4.7 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 18 months | 10.6 kg | 530 mg | 5.3 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 2 years | 11.8 kg | 590 mg | 5.9 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 3 years | 14.1 kg | 705 mg | 7.1 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 4 years | 16.2 kg | 810 mg | 8.1 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 5 years | 17.5 kg | 875 mg | 8.8 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 6 years | 19 kg | 950 mg | 9.5 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 8 years | 24.4 kg | 1220 mg | 12 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 10 years | 31.1 kg | 1555 mg | 15.5 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
| 12 years | 39.4 kg | 1970 mg | 19.5 mL | Every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) |
Strengths in the calculator
- 1 g vial + 10 mL water for injection (≈100 mg/mL) (Intravenous / Intramuscular) — Displacement volume ignored; follow the product insert.
Different strength on your bottle? Use “Different strength on the bottle?” under the result.
Safety
Contraindications and cautions
- History of anaphylaxis to penicillins or cephalosporins.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Legacy FDA category B. No evidence of harm; use when clearly indicated.
Compatible with breastfeeding.
Clinical notes
Preferred third-generation cephalosporin in neonates (no bilirubin displacement and no calcium precipitation issue).
Adult and adolescent (≥40 kg) dose
1–2 g — Every 8 hours (severe: 2 g every 6 hours) (max 2 g per dose, 12 g per day).
Other names and brands
- India: Taxim
- UK: Claforan
Brand examples only — products and strengths vary by country. Always check the label.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cefotaxime dose for children?
Serious infection / sepsis: <7 days: 50 mg/kg/dose · every 12 hours; 7 days to 28 days: 50 mg/kg/dose · every 8 hours; >28 days: 50 mg/kg/dose · every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection) · max 2 g/dose. Usual duration: Per clinical response and cultures. Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.
How many mL of 1 g vial + 10 mL water for injection (≈100 mg/mL) for an 11.8 kg child?
For serious infection / sepsis, an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 590 mg per dose — 5.9 mL of 1 g vial + 10 mL water for injection (≈100 mg/mL), every 8 hours (every 6 hours in severe infection). Recalculate with the child's actual weight.
From what age can cefotaxime be given?
Age range in PediaRx: Birth – adult (hospital use). Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.
Is cefotaxime safe in pregnancy?
Legacy FDA category B. No evidence of harm; use when clearly indicated.
Sources and editorial process
- BNF for Children — Cefotaxime — NICE / BMJ Group / Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children, 2nd edition (2013) — World Health Organization
Dosing data last updated 2026-09-27. PediaRx is built and maintained by Dr. Shounak Pal, MBBS (Medical Officer, Government of West Bengal, India — founder and developer of PediaRx). Every regimen is encoded with explicit units, maximum doses and age/weight limits and is checked by automated tests before publication. Report an error: hello@pediarx.com.
Related calculators
Clinical disclaimer: reference tool for qualified health professionals. Verify every dose against current guidance and the product label before prescribing.
Open Cefotaxime in the full calculator →