Calculating Augmentin 875 mg Dose in Liquid Suspension
To deliver an equivalent dose of Augmentin 875 mg using liquid suspension, you need 14.6 mL of the standard 600 mg/5 mL (ES-600) formulation, or 17.5 mL of the 250 mg/5 mL formulation.
Understanding Augmentin Liquid Formulations
Augmentin oral suspensions come in different concentrations, and the key is to match the amoxicillin component since the 875 mg tablet refers to amoxicillin content:
Available Liquid Concentrations 1:
- ES-600 formulation: 600 mg amoxicillin per 5 mL (120 mg/mL)
- Standard formulation: 250 mg amoxicillin per 5 mL (50 mg/mL)
- Higher strength: 400 mg amoxicillin per 5 mL (80 mg/mL)
Calculation Method
For the ES-600 suspension (600 mg/5 mL) 1:
- 875 mg ÷ 120 mg/mL = 7.29 mL
- Since the suspension is dosed per 5 mL: (875 ÷ 600) × 5 = 14.6 mL
For the 250 mg/5 mL suspension:
- (875 ÷ 250) × 5 = 17.5 mL
For the 400 mg/5 mL suspension:
- (875 ÷ 400) × 5 = 10.9 mL
Critical Caveats
The suspensions are NOT interchangeable due to different clavulanate ratios 1:
- ES-600: Contains 42.9 mg clavulanate per 5 mL
- 250 mg/5 mL: Contains 28.5 mg clavulanate per 5 mL
- 400 mg/5 mL: Contains 57 mg clavulanate per 5 mL
The 875 mg tablet contains 125 mg clavulanate, so none of the liquid formulations will provide an exact equivalent of both components simultaneously.
Practical Recommendation
Use the standard adult dosing from the suspension rather than trying to replicate the 875 mg tablet dose 1. The FDA-approved adult dosing for suspensions is typically based on weight-based calculations used in pediatrics, scaled appropriately.
For adults who cannot swallow tablets, the 875 mg tablet formulation should not simply be converted to suspension 1. Instead, prescribe the suspension using its own dosing guidelines, typically based on the infection being treated and following guideline recommendations for amoxicillin-clavulanate dosing 2, 3.
Administration tip: Give at the start of meals to minimize GI intolerance and enhance clavulanate absorption 1.