What are Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (Augmentin) and Doxycycline used for?

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Last updated: February 13, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (Augmentin) and Doxycycline are primarily used to treat bacterial infections, including acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and community-acquired pneumonia.

Uses of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (Augmentin)

  • Amoxicillin/Clavulanate is used to treat mild to moderate bacterial infections, including acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) 1
  • It is recommended as a first-line treatment for ABRS in adults and children with no recent antimicrobial use 1
  • The dosage of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate can vary from 1.5 to 4 g/day in adults and 45 to 90 mg/kg per day in children, depending on the severity of the disease and risk factors for resistant pathogens 1

Uses of Doxycycline

  • Doxycycline is used to treat bacterial infections, including community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and ABRS 1
  • It is recommended as a treatment option for outpatients with CAP, particularly for those with no recent antibiotic use 1
  • Doxycycline is active against 90%–95% of strains of S. pneumoniae and is also effective against H. influenzae, atypical agents, and category A bacterial agents of bioterrorism 1

Important Considerations

  • The choice of antibiotic therapy should be based on the severity of the disease, risk factors for resistant pathogens, and recent antimicrobial use 1
  • Amoxicillin/Clavulanate and Doxycycline can have potential side effects, such as gastrointestinal adverse effects, and should be used with caution in patients with penicillin allergy or other contraindications 1

From the Research

Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (Augmentin) Uses

  • Amoxicillin/Clavulanate is used to treat community-acquired respiratory tract infections, including bacterial sinusitis, acute otitis media, community-acquired pneumonia, and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis 2
  • It is also used to treat skin infections, including primary skin sepsis, infected eczema, infected trauma, and leg ulcers 3
  • Amoxicillin/Clavulanate is effective against a wide range of bacteria, including beta-lactamase-producing pathogens, such as Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis, and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae 2, 4
  • It is used as empiric therapy for many infectious syndromes, including urinary tract infections, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, otorhinolaryngological infections, and skin and soft tissue infections 4, 5

Doxycycline Uses

  • Doxycycline is used as a comparative agent in the treatment of adults and children with various forms of infection, including upper and lower respiratory tract infections, and skin and soft tissue infections 4
  • However, there is limited information available on the specific uses of Doxycycline in the provided studies, and more research is needed to determine its full range of applications.

Important Considerations

  • Amoxicillin/Clavulanate should be used judiciously, as the clavulanate component may cause adverse reactions and contribute to the development of bacterial resistance 6, 5
  • The choice of Amoxicillin versus Amoxicillin/Clavulanate should be based on the specific infection being treated and the likelihood of beta-lactamase-producing pathogens being involved 5

References

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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