Cefuroxime Pediatric Dose Calculator
Weight-based cefuroxime dosing for children — 10–15 mg/kg/dose · every 12 hours with food · max 250 mg/dose. Enter age and weight for the dose in mg and syrup mL, tablets or injection volume.
Pediatric dosing
Respiratory infection / otitis media / UTI (oral)
Severe infection — IV (hospital) Hospital
Cefuroxime dose chart by age and weight
Respiratory infection / otitis media / UTI (oral). Weights are WHO/IAP reference medians for age — always dose on the measured weight.
| Age | Weight | Dose (mg) | Suspension 125 mg/5 mL (where available) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 6.1 kg | 76.3 mg | 3.1 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 6 months | 7.6 kg | 95 mg | 3.8 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 9 months | 8.6 kg | 107.5 mg | 4.3 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 1 year | 9.3 kg | 116.3 mg | 4.7 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 18 months | 10.6 kg | 132.5 mg | 5.3 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 2 years | 11.8 kg | 147.5 mg | 5.9 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 3 years | 14.1 kg | 176.3 mg | 7.1 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 4 years | 16.2 kg | 202.5 mg | 8.1 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 5 years | 17.5 kg | 218.8 mg | 8.8 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 6 years | 19 kg | 237.5 mg | 9.5 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 8 years | 24.4 kg | 250 mg | 10 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 10 years | 31.1 kg | 250 mg | 10 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
| 12 years | 39.4 kg | 250 mg | 10 mL | Every 12 hours with food |
Strengths in the calculator
- Suspension 125 mg/5 mL (where available) (Oral)
- Tablet 125 mg (Oral — do not split) — Film-coated; crushing gives a very bitter taste.
- Tablet 250 mg (Oral — do not split)
- Tablet 500 mg (Oral — do not split)
- 750 mg vial (reconstitute as per product insert) (Intravenous / Intramuscular)
- 1.5 g vial (reconstitute as per product insert) (Intravenous)
Different strength on your bottle? Use “Different strength on the bottle?” under the result.
Safety
Contraindications and cautions
- Cephalosporin allergy; caution with severe penicillin allergy.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Legacy FDA category B. No evidence of harm; use when clearly indicated.
Compatible with breastfeeding.
Clinical notes
Oral tablets are best taken with food. The oral suspension is not marketed everywhere.
Adult and adolescent (≥40 kg) dose
250–500 mg oral — Every 12 hours with food (max 500 mg per dose, 1 g per day).
IV: 750 mg–1.5 g every 8 hours.
Other names and brands
Also known as Cefuroxime axetil, Cefuroxime sodium.
- India: Ceftum
- UK: Zinnat, Zinacef
- USA: Ceftin
Brand examples only — products and strengths vary by country. Always check the label.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cefuroxime dose for children?
Respiratory infection / otitis media / UTI (oral): 10–15 mg/kg/dose · every 12 hours with food · max 250 mg/dose. Usual duration: 5–10 days. Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.
How many mL of suspension 125 mg/5 mL (where available) for an 11.8 kg child?
For respiratory infection / otitis media / UTI (oral), an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 147.5 mg per dose — 5.9 mL of Suspension 125 mg/5 mL (where available), every 12 hours with food. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.
From what age can cefuroxime be given?
Age range in PediaRx: ≥3 months – adult. The calculator does not calculate a dose below 3 months. Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.
Is cefuroxime safe in pregnancy?
Legacy FDA category B. No evidence of harm; use when clearly indicated.
Sources and editorial process
- BNF for Children — Cefuroxime — NICE / BMJ Group / Royal Pharmaceutical Society
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.
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Clinical disclaimer: reference tool for qualified health professionals. Verify every dose against current guidance and the product label before prescribing.
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