Paediatric

Pneumonia, aspiration (mild to moderate)

Review after 48 hours. Treat for 3-5 days.

Mild to Moderate aspiration pneumonia

Preferred

amoxicillin 30 mg/kg (max 500mg) iv TDS 
If able to tolerate oral: amoxicillin po, see dosing table below:

Age amoxicillin oral dose
1 month to 11 months 125mg TDS
1 year to 4 years 250mg TDS
5 years and over 500mg TDS
 

Alternative

For penicillin allergy (non-severe and severe)

Under 6 weeks: Discuss with Paediatric ID

6 weeks and over: co-trimoxazole po, see dosing table below:

Age co-trimoxazole oral dose
6 Weeks to 5 Months 120mg BD
6 Months to 5 Years 240mg BD
6 Years to 11 years 480mg BD
12 years to 17 years 960mg BD

 If iv required and 6 weeks and over: co-trimoxazole 18mg/kg (max 960mg) iv BD

Severe aspiration pneumonia, including admission to ITU

Preferred

co-amoxiclav 30mg/kg (max 1.2g) iv TDS (BD if 1-2 months old)

Oral therapy (when able to tolerate): co-amoxiclav po, see dosing table below:

Age co-amoxiclav oral dose
1 month to 11 months

0.5mL/kg of 125mg/31mg/5mL suspension TDS

1 year to 5 years 

10mLs of 125mg/31mg/5mL suspension TDS

6 years to 11 years 

10mLs of 250mg/62mg/5mL suspension TDS

12 years to 17 years  One 625mg tablet TDS OR 10mLs of 250mg/62mg/5mL suspension TDS if patient cannot take tablets 

 

Alternative

For penicillin allergy (non-severe and severe) or MRSA positive patients:

Under 6 weeks: Discuss with Paediatric ID

6 weeks and over: co-trimoxazole po, see dosing table below:

Age co-trimoxazole oral dose
Weeks to 5 Months 120mg BD
Months to 5 Years 240mg BD
Years to 11 years 480mg BD
12 years to 17 years 960mg BD

 If iv required and 6 weeks and over: co-trimoxazole 18mg/kg (max 960mg) iv BD

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 23 Jan 2026

Author(s): AMST.

Approved By: ASG