EXPLODING BACTERIAMed Decision Speed Tools

Otitis Media

Head & NeckUpdated 2026-07-09
Outpatient — No Penicillin Allergy
Outpatient — Allergy to Penicillins
Outpatient — Allergy to Penicillins and Cephalosporins
Inpatient
Amoxicillin
!
Max daily dosing for amoxicillin (±clavulanate) for otitis media is not consistent in the literature or with actual prescribing practices. Additionally, the literature certainly does not agree with drug labels. Please consider the following options we have found in literature:
• Max 1750 mg/day amoxicillin component if q12h (same as adult)
• Max 1500 mg/day amoxicillin component if q8h (same as adult)
• Max 2,000 mg/day amoxicillin component
• Max 3,000 mg/day amoxicillin component
• Max 4,000 mg/day amoxicillin component
We have provided this max dosing in our calculators.
90 mg/kg/day PO split q8h or q12h10 days if <24 mo or TM perforation; 5–7 days if ≥24 mo
kg
lb
?
Low rounds up, high rounds down, mid to nearest
Enter a weight and treatment length to see dosing.
Liquid
125 mg/5 mL (25 mg/mL)250 mg/5 mL (50 mg/mL)400 mg/5 mL (80 mg/mL)
Tablets
500 mg875 mg
Capsules
250 mg500 mg
BrandsGeneric, Amoxil®
View full Amoxicillin page →
Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
???
Use the 600 mg/42.9 mg/5 mL (120 mg/mL) [14:1] drug formulation to avoid overdosing on clavulanate
Max daily dosing for amoxicillin (±clavulanate) for otitis media is not consistent in the literature or with actual prescribing practices. Additionally, the literature certainly does not agree with drug labels. Please consider the following options we have found in literature:
• Max 1750 mg/day amoxicillin component if q12h (same as adult)
• Max 1500 mg/day amoxicillin component if q8h (same as adult)
• Max 2,000 mg/day amoxicillin component
• Max 3,000 mg/day amoxicillin component
• Max 4,000 mg/day amoxicillin component
We have provided this max dosing in our calculators.
90 mg/kg/day PO split q8h or q12h10 days if <24 mo or TM perforation; 5–7 days if ≥24 mo
kg
lb
?
Low rounds up, high rounds down, mid to nearest
Enter a weight and treatment length to see dosing.
Tablets
500 / 125 mg875 / 125 mg
ER tablets
1000 / 62.5 mg
Suspension
200 / 28.5 mg per 5 mL400 / 57 mg per 5 mL600 / 42.9 mg per 5 mL (ES-600)
BrandsGeneric, Augmentin®
View full Amoxicillin-Clavulanate page →
Ceftriaxone₃
???
50 mg/kg IV/IM q24h1–3 days
kg
lb
?
IV / IM
250 mg500 mg1 g2 g vials
BrandsGeneric, Rocephin®
View full Ceftriaxone page →
Levofloxacin6 Months to 5 Years
???
Consult ENT and/or ID before giving; provides coverage for serotype 19A multi-drug resistance Streptococcus pneumoniae which is most common for those that have NOT received PCV
Pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin in pediatric patients

20 mg/kg/day PO/IV split q12h
Max dose not clearly defined in this age group
Consider discussion with ENT and/or pharmacist about 500 mg/day vs. 750 mg/day
kg
lb
?
Rounding within Levofloxacin's Medication Dosing Tolerance (MDT) of 1%
Enter a weight and treatment length to see dosing.
Liquid
25 mg/mL oral solution
Tablets
250 mg500 mg750 mg
IV
5 mg/mL (premix)25 mg/mL (vial)
BrandsGeneric, Levaquin®
View full Levofloxacin page →
Levofloxacin≥5 Years
???
20 mg/kg/day PO/IV q24h
Max 750 mg/day
kg
lb
?
Rounding within Levofloxacin's Medication Dosing Tolerance (MDT) of 1%
Enter a weight and treatment length to see dosing.
Liquid
25 mg/mL oral solution
Tablets
250 mg500 mg750 mg
IV
5 mg/mL (premix)25 mg/mL (vial)
BrandsGeneric, Levaquin®
View full Levofloxacin page →

TLDR

An infection or inflammation of the middle ear, often following an upper respiratory infection, presenting with ear pain, fever, hearing difficulties, and a bulging, erythematous, or immobile tympanic membrane.