Augmentin IV Dosing
For adults, administer Augmentin IV at 1.2 g (1000 mg amoxicillin/200 mg clavulanate) every 8 hours, and for children, use 200 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component divided every 6 hours, not exceeding adult dosing. 1
Adult IV Dosing
- Standard dose: 1.2 g IV every 8 hours for most infections including skin and soft tissue infections, intra-abdominal infections, and respiratory tract infections 2, 3
- For surgical prophylaxis in abdominal surgery, administer 1.2 g IV at induction of anesthesia, followed by 600 mg IV at 8 and 16 hours for short-term prophylaxis 3
- The IV formulation contains 1000 mg amoxicillin and 200 mg clavulanate per 1.2 g dose 3
Pediatric IV Dosing
- Dose: 200 mg/kg/day of the amoxicillin component divided every 6 hours for complicated infections 1
- Maximum daily dose should not exceed adult dosing limits 1
- For neonates and young infants, specific age-adjusted dosing is required; consult pediatric infectious disease specialists for patients under 3 months 2
Critical Dosing Distinctions
Do not confuse IV and oral formulations—these have different pharmacokinetics and are not interchangeable. 1
- IV dosing: 1.2 g every 8 hours 3
- Oral dosing for adults: 875/125 mg twice daily or 500/125 mg three times daily 4
- The IV formulation provides higher and more consistent serum levels, making it appropriate for moderate-to-severe infections or when oral absorption is compromised 5
Duration of Therapy
- Skin and soft tissue infections: 7-10 days 2
- Intra-abdominal infections: 5-7 days with adequate source control 2
- Respiratory tract infections: 7-10 days depending on clinical response 2
- Transition to oral therapy when clinically stable, typically after 48-72 hours of clinical improvement 5
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not use the oral dose of 875/125 mg as a guide for IV dosing—the IV dose is substantially higher at 1.2 g every 8 hours 1
- In patients with renal impairment, dose adjustment is required; reduce frequency to every 12 hours for CrCl 10-30 mL/min and every 24 hours for CrCl <10 mL/min 6
- For surgical prophylaxis, avoid prolonged courses beyond 24-48 hours post-operatively, as ultrashort or short-term regimens are equally effective with lower resistance risk 3