Recommended Augmentin Dosage for Mouth Infection
For a mouth infection, the recommended dose of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) is 875/125 mg taken orally twice daily. 1
Rationale and Dosing Details
Mouth infections typically involve a mix of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, making Augmentin an excellent choice due to its broad-spectrum coverage. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines specifically recommend amoxicillin-clavulanate for infections following human or animal bites, which can be similar in microbiology to other mouth infections.
Adult Dosing:
- Standard dose: 875/125 mg twice daily
- Duration: 7-10 days (continue for at least 48-72 hours after symptoms resolve)
Alternative Dosing Options:
- For severe infections: 500 mg every 8 hours may be considered
- For patients with renal impairment:
- GFR 10-30 mL/min: 500 mg or 250 mg every 12 hours
- GFR <10 mL/min: 500 mg or 250 mg every 24 hours
Pediatric Dosing
For children with mouth infections:
- Weight <40 kg: 45 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin component divided into two doses (every 12 hours) 2
- Alternative dosing: 40 mg/kg/day divided into three doses (every 8 hours)
Clinical Considerations
Microbiology Coverage
Augmentin provides excellent coverage against:
- Streptococci (including S. pyogenes)
- Staphylococci
- Anaerobic bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity
- Beta-lactamase producing organisms
Duration of Therapy
- For most mouth infections: 7-10 days
- For infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes: minimum of 10 days to prevent acute rheumatic fever 2
Monitoring and Follow-up
- Assess clinical response within 72 hours
- If no improvement after 72 hours, consider alternative antibiotics or reevaluation
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Inadequate dosing: Using standard amoxicillin without clavulanate may result in treatment failure due to beta-lactamase producing organisms commonly found in mouth infections.
Insufficient duration: Stopping therapy too early can lead to recurrence. Complete the full course even if symptoms improve.
Administration timing: Take with food to minimize gastrointestinal intolerance 2.
Drug interactions: Be aware of potential interactions with probenecid, allopurinol, oral contraceptives, and anticoagulants.
For patients with penicillin allergy, alternative options include clindamycin (300 mg three times daily) or, in cases of non-immediate hypersensitivity reactions, a cephalosporin such as cefuroxime (500 mg twice daily) 1.