What is the renal dosing for Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) in patients with impaired renal function for treating a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

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Last updated: August 6, 2025View editorial policy

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Renal Dosing for Augmentin (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate) in UTI Treatment

For patients with renal impairment, Augmentin dosing for UTI treatment should be adjusted based on creatinine clearance, with patients having GFR <30 mL/min receiving 500 mg or 250 mg every 12 hours and those with GFR <10 mL/min receiving 500 mg or 250 mg every 24 hours, depending on infection severity. 1

Dosing Guidelines Based on Renal Function

Normal Renal Function

  • Standard adult dosing: 500/125 mg twice daily for 3-7 days 2

Impaired Renal Function

  1. GFR 10-30 mL/min:

    • 500 mg or 250 mg every 12 hours (depending on infection severity) 1
  2. GFR <10 mL/min:

    • 500 mg or 250 mg every 24 hours (depending on infection severity) 1
  3. Hemodialysis patients:

    • 500 mg or 250 mg every 24 hours (depending on severity)
    • Administer an additional dose both during and at the end of dialysis 1

Clinical Considerations for UTI Treatment

Severity Assessment

  • Determine if the UTI is complicated or uncomplicated
  • Evaluate for signs of upper tract involvement (fever, flank pain)
  • Consider patient's overall clinical condition

Duration of Treatment

  • Uncomplicated UTI: 3-7 days
  • Complicated UTI: 7-14 days
  • Men with UTI: 14 days (as all UTIs in men are considered complicated) 2

Monitoring Recommendations

  • Monitor renal function during treatment
  • Assess clinical response within 48-72 hours
  • Adjust therapy based on culture results when available

Important Caveats

  1. Avoid high-dose formulations: Patients with severe renal impairment (GFR <30 mL/min) should NOT receive the 875 mg dose formulation 1

  2. Administration timing: To minimize gastrointestinal intolerance, Augmentin should be taken at the start of a meal 1

  3. Treatment duration: Continue treatment for at least 48-72 hours after the patient becomes asymptomatic or evidence of bacterial eradication has been obtained 1

  4. Culture before treatment: Obtain urine culture before initiating antibiotics to guide therapy and avoid contributing to antimicrobial resistance 2

  5. Consider local resistance patterns: E. coli has shown higher sensitivity to other antibiotics like fosfomycin (95.5%) and nitrofurantoin (85.5%) compared to amoxicillin-clavulanate, which may influence treatment choice in some cases 2

The renal dosing adjustments for Augmentin are critical to maintain efficacy while preventing toxicity in patients with impaired kidney function. Following these guidelines helps ensure optimal treatment outcomes while minimizing adverse effects in patients with renal impairment.

References

Guideline

Urinary Tract Infection Management

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

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.

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