AHA Premed Guidelines

Question 1

What’s the standard general prophylaxis?

Answer 1

Amoxicillin

Adults: 2gm orally, 1 hour before procedure

Children: 50mg/kg orally before procedure

Question 2

What are the standard general prophylaxis when the patient is unable to take oral medications?

Answer 2

Ampicillin

• Adults: 2gm IM or IV within 30 minutes before procedure
• Children: 50mg/kg IM or IV within 30 minutes before procedure

Question 3

What is prescribed for prophylaxis when the patient is allergic to penicillin?

Answer 3

• clindamycin (Cleocin)
• cephalexin
• azithromycin
• clarithromycin (Biaxin)

Question 4

What is the dose regime for clindamycin (Cleocin)?

Answer 4

• Adults: 600mg orally 1 hour before procedure
• Children: 20mg/kg orally 1 hour before procedure

Question 5

What is the dose regime for cephalexin (Keflex)?

Answer 5

• Adults: 2gm orally 1 hour before procedure
• Children: 50mg/kg orally 1 hour before procedure

Question 6

What is the dose regime for azithromycin (Zithromax) and clarithromycin (Biaxin)?

Answer 6

• Adults: 500mg orally 1 hour before procedure
• Children: 15mg/kg orally 1 hour before procedure

Question 7

What could you give to a patient for prophylaxis that is allergic to penicillin and unable to take oral medications?

Answer 7

• clindamycin - IV
• cefazolin - Ancef, Kefzol, Zolicef
• ceftriaxone - Rocephin

Question 8

What is the dose regime for clindamycin (IV - allergic to penicillin and cant take orally)?

Answer 8

• Adults: 600mg IV within 30 minutes before procedure
• Children: 20mg/kg IV within 30 minutes before procedure

Question 9

What is the dose regime for cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol, Zolicef) (IV or IM)?

Answer 9

Adults: 1gm IM or IV within 30 minutes before procedure

Children: 50mg/kg IM or IV within 30 minutes before procedure

Question 10

What is the dose regime for ceftriazone (Rocephin) (IM or IV)?

Answer 10

Adults: 1gm IM or IV within 30 minutes before procedure

Children: 50mg/kg IM or IV within 30 minutes before procedure