How to Take Augmentin 875 mg Twice Daily
Take Augmentin 875 mg at the start of a meal, twice daily (every 12 hours), and complete the full course as prescribed by your doctor.
Timing and Administration
Take with food: Augmentin should be taken at the beginning of a meal 1. This is critical because:
- It minimizes gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and diarrhea
- It enhances absorption of the clavulanate component
- Food significantly improves tolerability
Dosing schedule: Space doses approximately 12 hours apart (e.g., 8 AM and 8 PM) 2, 3
Duration of Treatment
The length of treatment depends on your infection:
- Acute bacterial sinusitis (adults): 5-7 days is typically sufficient 4
- Lower respiratory tract infections: 7-14 days 5, 3
- Skin/soft tissue infections: Usually 7-10 days
- Dental infections: Typically 7 days 6
Complete the entire prescribed course even if you feel better after a few days. Stopping early can lead to treatment failure and antibiotic resistance.
Storage and Handling
- Store tablets at room temperature
- Keep in original container
- Protect from moisture
What to Expect
- Symptom improvement: You should notice improvement within 48-72 hours 4
- If no improvement: Contact your doctor if symptoms worsen or don't improve after 72 hours of treatment 5, 4
Common Side Effects to Monitor
The most common side effects include 1, 2:
- Diarrhea (occurs in 10-15% of patients) - usually mild
- Nausea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Vaginal yeast infections (women)
Seek medical attention if you develop:
- Severe or bloody diarrhea
- Severe abdominal pain
- Allergic reactions (rash, difficulty breathing, swelling)
- Signs of liver problems (yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine)
Important Considerations
The 875 mg twice-daily formulation is equally effective to the 500 mg three-times-daily regimen but offers better convenience and potentially fewer gastrointestinal side effects 2, 3. Studies demonstrate that the twice-daily dosing achieves excellent clinical success rates (88-93%) for respiratory and sinus infections 2, 3.
Do not skip doses or take doses too close together - maintaining consistent 12-hour intervals optimizes bacterial killing and reduces resistance development.