From the Guidelines
Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for adults is typically dosed at 875 mg amoxicillin/125 mg clavulanate twice daily or 500 mg amoxicillin/125 mg clavulanate three times daily for most common infections, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. The dosage of Augmentin can vary depending on the type and severity of the infection.
- For outpatient adults with comorbidities, combination therapy with amoxicillin/clavulanate 500 mg/125 mg three times daily or amoxicillin/clavulanate 875 mg/125 mg twice daily is recommended 1.
- For more severe infections, the dose may be increased to 2000 mg amoxicillin/125 mg clavulanate daily, divided into two doses 1. It is essential to note that dosage should be reduced in patients with significant renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min).
- Augmentin should be taken with food to enhance absorption and reduce gastrointestinal side effects. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and skin rash.
- Patients should complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before completion. Augmentin works by combining amoxicillin, which disrupts bacterial cell wall synthesis, with clavulanate, which inhibits beta-lactamase enzymes that would otherwise inactivate amoxicillin, making it effective against many resistant bacteria, as supported by previous guidelines 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
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 recommended dosing for adults is:
- Mild to moderate infections: 500 mg/125 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg/125 mg every 8 hours
- More severe infections or respiratory tract infections: 875 mg/125 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg/125 mg every 8 hours 2
From the Research
Augmentin Dosing in Adults
- The dosing of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid) in adults is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but its properties and usage are discussed in several studies 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is often used as empiric therapy for various infections, including those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis 4, 6.
- The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid is available in various ratios, including 2:1,4:1,7:1,14:1, and 16:1, but comparative effectiveness data for these different ratios are scarce 3.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is extensively used in hospitals and has been found to be protective against nonsusceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins in Klebsiella pneumoniae 5.
- In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium is considered a treatment option for mild to moderate exacerbations 6.
- When co-administered with warfarin, amoxicillin/clavulanate has been found to be associated with increased International Normalized Ratio (INR) values, highlighting the need for diligent monitoring to mitigate the risk of major bleeding complications 7.