Indications: oral infections; tonsillitis, otitis media, erysipelas, cellulitis; rheumatic fever and pneumococcal infection prophylaxis.

Cautions: history of allergy; false-positive urinary glucose (if tested for reducing substances); renal impairment.

Contra-indications: penicillin hypersensitivity.

Side Effects: hypersensitivity reactions including urticaria, fever, joint pains, rashes, angioedema, anaphylaxis, serum sickness-like reaction; rarely CNS toxicity including convulsions (especially with high doses or in severe renal impairment), interstitial nephritis, haemolytic anaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and coagulation disorders; also reported diarrhoea (including antibiotic-associated colitis).

Dose: 500 mg every 6 hours increased up to 1 g every 6 hours in severe infections;

CHILD up to 1 year 62.5 mg every 6 hours, increased up to 12.5 mg/kg every 6 hours in severe infections; 1–5 years, 125 mg every 6 hours, increased up to 12.5 mg/kg every 6 hours in severe infections; 6–12 years, 250 mg every 6 hours, increased up to 12.5 mg/kg every 6 hours in severe infections.