What is a suitable antibiotic option for a child with a Penicillin (PCN) allergy?

Cefixime is an appropriate antibiotic option for a child with a penicillin allergy because it belongs to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics. While some guidelines suggest caution when prescribing cephalosporins to patients with a history of penicillin allergy due to potential cross-reactivity, the incidence of cross-reactivity is relatively low. Most patients with a penicillin allergy can tolerate cephalosporins, especially if they don’t have a history of serious allergic reactions to penicillin. Therefore, cefixime can be a suitable option for treating certain infections in children with known penicillin allergies.

Other options, such as amoxicillin, can provoke allergic reactions in patients with a penicillin allergy, as amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative. Ciprofloxacin and doxycycline are also generally not first-line options for pediatric patients due to safety concerns and age restrictions associated with their use.