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Q: My child missed the afternoon dose of their 3x-a-day antibiotic. Should I wake them up to give it?

  • Myeongchan Kim
  • 1 day ago
  • 2 min read

This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers. Please note that this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.



Question:

My child has tonsillitis with a rash and is taking a powdered Amoxicillin antibiotic three times a day. I gave the morning dose around 10:30 AM but completely forgot the afternoon dose. I just gave the evening dose at 8:30 PM, so they've only had two doses today. Should I wake them up around 1 AM to give the missed dose, or is it better to just skip it and wait until tomorrow morning? I need some advice.


Answer:

It's understandable to be worried when the Amoxicillin schedule is disrupted. While consistent dosing is important for antibiotics, situations like this are common.


【Recommendation for Your Current Situation】

→ Do not wake your child up in the middle of the night. Resume the normal schedule tomorrow morning.

→ Simply skip the one missed dose from today.

→ Starting tomorrow, try to space the doses out evenly throughout the day, for instance, at 8 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM.


【Key Points to Remember】

• Missing a dose once or twice will not significantly impact the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

• Waking a child to give medicine can disrupt their sleep, which is crucial for recovery.

• The most important thing is to maintain a consistent schedule for the remainder of the prescription.


【Tips for Staying on Schedule】

• Set three daily alarms on your phone.

• Keep the medicine in a highly visible place.

• Use a checklist to mark off each dose after it's been given.


⚠️ Important Note: If the rash worsens or if new symptoms like difficulty breathing or facial swelling appear, seek immediate medical attention.


Your child will recover well as long as you continue the medication consistently for the full prescribed course



For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.








 
 
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