From the Guidelines
For the treatment of acute sinusitis, the recommended dosage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) is 45 mg/kg per day in 2 divided doses for children aged 2 years or older with uncomplicated acute bacterial sinusitis that is mild to moderate in degree of severity who do not attend child care and who have not been treated with an antimicrobial agent within the last 4 weeks, while patients presenting with moderate to severe illness as well as those younger than 2 years, attending child care, or who have recently been treated with an antimicrobial may receive high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate (80–90 mg/kg per day of the amoxicillin component with 6.4 mg/kg per day of clavulanate in 2 divided doses with a maximum of 2 g per dose) 1.
When considering the treatment of acute sinusitis with Augmentin, it's essential to take into account the severity of the infection, patient age, weight, and potential risk factors for resistance, such as attendance at child care, recent antimicrobial treatment, and age younger than 2 years 1. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends amoxicillin-clavulanate as a first-line empirical therapy for acute bacterial sinusitis in children, with the dosage depending on the severity of the infection and patient characteristics 1.
Key considerations for the treatment of acute sinusitis with Augmentin include:
- The patient's age and weight, as these factors influence the dosage of Augmentin 1
- The severity of the infection, with more severe cases potentially requiring higher doses of Augmentin 1
- Potential risk factors for resistance, such as recent antimicrobial treatment or attendance at child care 1
- The importance of completing the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms improve before finishing, to ensure effective treatment and prevent the development of resistance 1
It's also important to note that Augmentin combines amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, which helps to block bacterial resistance enzymes, making it effective against many bacteria that cause sinus infections, including those resistant to amoxicillin alone 1. Common side effects of Augmentin include diarrhea, nausea, and rash, and patients should be advised to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience severe diarrhea, severe rash, or difficulty breathing 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
2.1 Adults ... 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 INFECTION | DOSING REGIMEN | Every 12 hours | Every 8 hours Otitis media, sinusitis, | 45 mg/kg/day | 40 mg/kg/day lower respiratory tract | |
The recommended dosage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for acute 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 and older: 45 mg/kg/day every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day every 8 hours, based on the amoxicillin component.
- For pediatric patients weighing 40 kg or more: dose according to adult recommendations 2