Can Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) tablets be crushed?

Crushing Augmentin Tablets

Yes, regular Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) immediate-release tablets can be crushed for patients who have difficulty swallowing, but they should be administered immediately after crushing. 1

Proper Technique for Crushing Augmentin

When crushing Augmentin tablets, follow these steps to ensure proper administration:

1. Crushing method:

   • Crush the tablet thoroughly using a pill crusher or mortar and pestle
   • Mix with a small amount of cold water or soft food (applesauce, yogurt)
   • Administer immediately after crushing
   • Ensure complete ingestion of the entire dose
   • Follow with adequate fluid to ensure complete swallowing 1

2. Important precautions:

   • Do not crush and mix with hot foods or liquids (may affect stability)
   • Do not store crushed medication for future use
   • Avoid mixing with acidic foods or beverages that might affect drug stability 1
   • Use immediately after crushing to prevent degradation of the active ingredient 2

Alternative Formulations

For patients with severe swallowing difficulties, consider these alternatives:

• Powder for oral suspension: Provides consistent dosing without the need for crushing 1
• Chewable tablets: Already designed for easy administration without crushing 1

Special Considerations

• Healthcare worker safety: Be aware that crushing tablets may expose healthcare workers to drug particles 1
• Enteral tube administration: When administering through enteral tubes, flush before and after administration to prevent clogging 1

Important Distinctions

It's crucial to distinguish between different formulations of medications:

• Immediate-release formulations (like standard Augmentin tablets) can generally be crushed
• Extended-release formulations should never be crushed as this would alter the drug's release profile and potentially cause overdose 2
• Gastro-resistant coatings should not be disrupted by crushing as this could lead to underdosing or drug degradation 2

By following these guidelines, Augmentin can be safely administered to patients who have difficulty swallowing intact tablets, while maintaining its therapeutic efficacy.