Table 6.

Doses of antibiotics for suspected meningococcal septicaemia

Benzyl Penicillin doses by intravenous injection (or by intramuscular injection if venous access not available)
Neonate	300mg
Child 1 month to 1 year	300mg
Child 1 to 10 years	600mg
Child 10 to 18 years	1.2g
If history of allergy to penicillin –
Cefotaxime doses by intravenous injection (or by intramuscular injection if venous access not available):
Neonate	50mg/Kg
Child 1 month to 12 years	50mg/Kg (max. 1g)
Child 12 to18 years	1g
Or if history of immediate hypersensitivity reaction (including anaphylaxis, angioedema or urticarial reaction to penicillin or to cephalosporins) –
Chloramphenicol injection:
By intravenous injection
Child 1 month – 18 years	12.5–25 mg/Kg

Taken from: Medical Emergencies in the Community, British National Formulary for Children 2009⁹