What is the recommended dosage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for sinusitis?

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Last updated: February 8, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Guidelines

The recommended dosage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for sinusitis is 80 mg/kg/day in three doses, not exceeding 3 g/day.

Dosage Details

  • The dosage is based on the patient's weight, with a maximum daily dose of 3 g.
  • The medication should be taken in three doses per day.
  • This recommendation is part of the official French guidelines for systemic antibiotic treatment in upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including sinusitis, as stated in the study published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection 1.

Treatment Duration

  • The standard duration of treatment for sinusitis is 7-10 days, as determined by professional consensus 1.

Additional Considerations

  • Other antibiotics, such as cefpodoxime-proxetil, may also be recommended as first-line treatment for sinusitis, but the dosage and treatment duration may vary.
  • The use of NSAIDs and corticosteroids as adjuvant therapy may be considered in certain cases, but their efficacy has not been demonstrated in all cases of sinusitis 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

The usual adult dose is one 500 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 12 hours or one 250 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 8 hours For more severe infections and infections of the respiratory tract, the dose should be one 875 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 12 hours or one 500 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 8 hours. Table 1: Dosing in Patients Aged 12 weeks (3 months) and Older INFECTIONDOSING REGIMEN Every 12 hoursEvery 8 hours ... Otitis media, sinusitis, lower respiratory tract infections, and more severe infections45 mg/kg/day every 12 hours40 mg/kg/day every 8 hours

The recommended dosage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for sinusitis is:

  • For adults: one 875 mg/125 mg tablet every 12 hours or one 500 mg/125 mg tablet every 8 hours
  • For pediatric patients aged 12 weeks (3 months) and older: 45 mg/kg/day every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day every 8 hours [2] [3]

From the Research

The recommended dosage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for sinusitis can vary depending on the specific study and formulation. Here are some key findings:

  • A study from 2018 4 compared standard-dose (875/125 mg) and high-dose (2000 mg extended-release or 1750 mg immediate-release) amoxicillin-clavulanate for acute bacterial sinusitis. The results showed that adults with clinically diagnosed acute bacterial sinusitis were more likely to improve rapidly when treated with high-dose immediate-release amoxicillin-clavulanate.
  • Another study from 2021 5 compared standard-dose (875/125 mg) and high-dose (1750/125 mg) amoxicillin-clavulanate for acute bacterial sinusitis. However, the results showed that adults treated for clinically diagnosed acute sinusitis did not appear to benefit from taking high-dose compared with standard-dose amoxicillin plus clavulanate.
  • A study from 1998 6 compared the safety and efficacy of a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate given orally every 12 hours (875/125 mg) with that given every 8 hours (500/125 mg) for the treatment of patients with acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis. The results showed that amoxicillin and clavulanate given every 12 hours is as effective and as safe as administration every 8 hours.

Key Findings

Some key findings from the studies include:

  • The standard dosage of Augmentin for sinusitis is typically 875/125 mg every 12 hours 6.
  • High-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate (2000 mg extended-release or 1750 mg immediate-release) may be more effective than standard-dose for some patients with acute bacterial sinusitis 4.
  • However, another study found no significant difference in efficacy between standard-dose and high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate 5.
  • The choice of dosage and formulation may depend on individual patient factors and the specific clinical context.

Comparison with Other Antibiotics

Some studies have compared the effectiveness of Augmentin with other antibiotics for the treatment of sinusitis, including:

  • Azithromycin, which was found to be as effective and well-tolerated as a 10-day course of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for acute sinusitis 7.
  • Levofloxacin, which was found to be as effective and better tolerated than amoxicillin-clavulanate for treating acute sinusitis in adult outpatients 8.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.