A simplified amoxicillin regimen with dose frequency based on post-natal age in neonates with confirmed or suspected infection

Amoxicillin plus gentamicin is the recommended first-line empiric therapy for neonates with infection. Guidelines vary widely in dose (mg/kg), dose frequency, and adjustments according to post-menstrual age (PMA) and post-natal age (PNA). We aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model for amoxicillin in neonates with clinical evidence of sepsis and design optimal dosing regimens. One hundred seventy-seven neonates receiving intravenous amoxicillin for infection were enrolled in a prospective, observational PK study in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The probability of PK-pharmacodynamic target attainment (PK-PD PTA) was determined based on minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the proportion of time concentrations that remained above these values (%T > MIC). Neonates with concentrations > 140 mg/L were considered to be at increased risk of amoxicillin neurotoxicity. A population PK model was developed. Simulations tested existing guidelines and proposed simplified regimens. The median PMA and PNA were 38 (37–40) weeks and 0 (0–2) days, respectively. From simulations, existing regimens with 50 or 100 mg/kg doses were associated with higher potential neurotoxic concentrations (24.9% and 84.5%, respectively). With the existing 30 mg/kg PNG regimen, neonates receiving twice-daily dosing between 3 and 7 days were systematically underdosed. A proposed 30 mg/kg regimen, with twice-daily dosing for the first 2 days PNA and three times daily from day 3, provides an optimal balance between the probability of PK-PD target attainment while minimizing toxicity. For fixed volume dosing, using 52 mg (0.25 mL of 250 mg in 1.2 mL) for those <3 kg and 104 mg (0.5 mL) for those ≥3 kg is proposed.