From the Guidelines
For outpatient treatment of facial cellulitis, the recommended Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) dosage is 875 mg amoxicillin/125 mg clavulanate twice daily for 5-7 days, as suggested by the most recent guidelines 1. The treatment duration may be extended if the infection is severe or slow to respond. Key considerations for treatment include:
- Taking Augmentin with food to reduce stomach upset
- Completing the entire course even if symptoms improve quickly
- Monitoring for worsening symptoms, such as increasing redness, swelling, fever, or if the infection approaches the eyes, which may require immediate medical attention and potential hospitalization with IV antibiotics. The choice of Augmentin is based on its effectiveness against common causative organisms, including Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species, due to the clavulanate component that inhibits beta-lactamase enzymes 1. It's crucial to follow the recommended treatment guidelines to ensure the best outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Some important points to consider:
- Facial cellulitis can spread rapidly due to the rich blood supply in the face and proximity to critical structures
- Prompt treatment is essential to prevent complications
- The 2019 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline recommends a course of 5 to 7 days 1
- The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guideline recommends that patients should receive antibiotics for uncomplicated cellulitis, but clinicians should consider extending treatment if the infection has not improved after 5 days 1
From the FDA Drug Label
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 in adults is:
- 500 mg/125 mg every 12 hours
- 875 mg/125 mg every 12 hours for more severe infections The duration of therapy is not specified for facial cellulitis, but for other infections, the duration is typically 10 days 2 2.
From the Research
Dosage for Augmentin in Facial Cellulitis
- The dosage for Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) in facial cellulitis is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
- However, study 3 mentions that a combination therapeutic regimen of amoxicillin + clavulanic acid was the most commonly used treatment option and was linked with the shortest duration of stay in the hospital.
Treatment Duration for Facial Cellulitis
- Study 4 states that patients received intravenous ampicillin/sulbactam or clindamycin for 48 hours followed by oral amoxicillin/clavulanate or clindamycin for 7 days.
- Study 3 suggests that the treatment duration of longer than 5 days is not supported by evidence, but the exact duration for Augmentin is not specified.
- Study 5 mentions that there is no evidence to support the use of intravenous antibiotics over oral antibiotics and treatment duration of longer than 5 days.
Outpatient Treatment for Facial Cellulitis
- Study 6 mentions that penicillin or penicillinase-resistant penicillin alone or in combination cured 68% of the patients, and supplementary clindamycin was used in 28% of the patients, most often only for 1-3 days.
- Study 3 suggests that combination therapy with amoxicillin + clavulanic acid appears to be linked with the shortest stay in the hospital, but the study does not provide specific guidance on outpatient treatment.
- Study 5 states that there is limited data on the most appropriate route of administration or duration of therapy for cellulitis, including outpatient treatment.