Evaluation of amoxicillin therapy in ill children.

Ampicillin and amoxicillin were evaluated in 37 ill children. Detailed pharmacokinetic studies in 27 of these children demonstrated an advantage in oral absorption of amoxicillin over ampicillin at dosages of both 12.5 and 25 mg/kg per dose. Individual variation was great for both drugs. No sequence effect was noted for patients receiving ampicillin before either ampicillin or amoxicillin. Amoxicillin was tolerated well by the majority of patients, and the drug was not discontinued because of side effects in any patient. No toxicities were noted for amoxicillin in any of the 20 patients studied for abnormalities in hematologic hepatic, and renal functions. Pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, tolerance, and toxicity studies support the clinical usage of amoxicillin in pediatric infectious diseases. However, comparative, controlled clinicalinvestigations are needed to better define the clinical advantages of this drug over ampicillin.