What is the dosage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for facial cellulitis?

From the Guidelines

For facial cellulitis, the recommended dosage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) is 500/875 mg twice per day orally. This dosage is based on the guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft-tissue infections, which include facial cellulitis 1.

Key Considerations

• The dosage may vary depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's response to treatment.
• It is essential to complete the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms improve before finishing, to ensure that the infection is fully cleared.
• Augmentin works by combining amoxicillin, which kills bacteria by disrupting cell wall synthesis, with clavulanate, which prevents bacterial resistance by inhibiting beta-lactamase enzymes.
• Patients should be advised to take the medication with food to reduce stomach upset and to contact a healthcare provider immediately if they experience severe diarrhea, rash, or signs of an allergic reaction.

Important Notes

• Facial cellulitis can be serious due to its proximity to the brain, so prompt treatment is essential.
• Hospitalization with IV antibiotics may be necessary for severe cases or those not responding to oral therapy.
• The guidelines also recommend considering other antimicrobial agents, such as doxycycline, penicillin, and cephalosporins, depending on the suspected causative pathogens and the patient's medical history 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

2.1 Adults 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. The dosage for Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for facial cellulitis is:

• Mild infections: one 500 mg/125 mg tablet every 12 hours or one 250 mg/125 mg tablet every 8 hours
• More severe infections: one 875 mg/125 mg tablet every 12 hours or one 500 mg/125 mg tablet every 8 hours 2

From the Research

Dosage for Augmentin in Facial Cellulitis

The dosage for Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) in facial cellulitis is not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, the following information can be gathered:

• The study 3 mentions that penicillin or penicillinase-resistant penicillin alone or in combination cured 68% of patients with facial cellulitis, and supplementary clindamycin was used in 28% of patients.
• The study 4 compares the treatment of facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin in children using ampicillin/sulbactam or clindamycin, followed by oral amoxicillin/clavulanate or clindamycin for 7 days.
• The study 5 mentions that amoxicillin-clavulanate is one of the antibiotics often used in the treatment of orbital and preseptal cellulitis, but does not provide specific dosage information.

Key Points to Consider

• The choice of antibiotic and dosage should be determined by the patient's history, risk factors, severity of clinical presentation, and the most likely microbial culprit 6.
• Antibiotic selection and dosage should be optimized to achieve pharmacodynamic target attainment 5.
• The total duration of therapy for facial cellulitis has been decreasing in recent years, with durations of approximately 2 weeks becoming more common 5.

Relevant Antibiotics and Dosage

• Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is often used in the treatment of facial cellulitis, but the exact dosage is not specified in the provided studies.
• Other antibiotics mentioned in the studies include penicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, clindamycin, and ceftriaxone, but the dosage for Augmentin is not explicitly stated.