This article describes Augmentin’s dosages and strengths and how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Augmentin. If you want to know more about Augmentin, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Augmentin is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet and liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture). It’s available in a generic version called amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium. This article describes dosages of Augmentin.
Forms and strengths of Augmentin
Augmentin comes in the following forms and strengths. The strengths are in milligrams (mg) and milliliters (mL).
| Form | How to take | Strengths |
| oral tablet | take by swallowing | • 875 mg amoxicillin/125 mg clavulanic acid |
| Augmentin liquid suspension | take by swallowing | • 125 mg amoxicillin/31.25 mg clavulanic acid per 5 mL • 250 mg amoxicillin/62.5 mg clavulanic acid per 5 mL |
| Augmentin ES liquid suspension | take by swallowing | • 600 mg amoxicillin/42.9 mg clavulanic acid per 5 mL |
Dosage of Augmentin
This article describes the recommended dosages for Augmentin. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Augmentin without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Augmentin in adults
Augmentin is prescribed to treat certain bacterial infections in adults.
- Recommended dose: one 875 mg/125 mg tablet
- Frequency: every 12 hours
- Number of days of treatment: depends on the type and severity of your infection
If you have difficulty swallowing pills, you can take Augmentin liquid suspension instead of the oral tablet. Your pharmacist will determine the strength of the suspension and the amount to take based on your doctor’s prescription.
Usual recommended dosages of Augmentin in children (pediatric dosages)
Augmentin and Augmentin ES-600 are approved to treat certain bacterial infections in children. Augmentin is prescribed to treat the same bacterial infections in children as adults.
Augmentin ES-600 is only prescribed to treat recurrent or persistent ear infections in certain children. This includes children who:
- have taken antibiotics for an ear infection sometime within the last 3 months, and
- are either ages 2 years or younger or in day care.
Children typically take the liquid suspension form of Augmentin. Your child’s doctor will prescribe a dosage of Augmentin or Augmentin ES-600 specifically for your child. The dosage will be calculated based on your child’s body weight.
Augmentin dosages in children
Below is the recommended dosage of Augmentin for children younger than 3 months of age. The dosage is in milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) per day.
- Recommended dosage*: 30 mg/kg/day
- Frequency: the recommended dosage is divided and given every 12 hours
- Typical form and strength: liquid suspension, 125 milligrams (mg)/31.25 mg per 5 milliliters (mL)
Below is the recommended dosage of Augmentin for children ages 3 months and older who weigh less than 40 kg (about 88 lb). Children who weigh more than 40 kg should take the recommended adult dosage. (1kg = 2.2 lb)
| Condition | Recommended dose* | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| ear infections, sinus infections, lower respiratory tract infections, and more severe bacterial infections | 45 mg/kg per day | this amount is divided and given every 12 hours |
| less severe bacterial infections | 25 mg/kg per day | this amount is divided and given every 12 hours |
Augmentin ES dosages in children
Below is the recommended dosage of Augmentin ES-600.
| Condition | Recommended dose* | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| ear infections | 90 mg/kg/day | this amount is divided and given every 12 hours |
* The dosage is based on the amoxicillin component of Augmentin. It’s recommended for children who weigh less than 40 kg, which is about 88 pounds (lb). (1 kg = 2.2 lb)
Dosage adjustments for Augmentin
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Augmentin based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- the form of Augmentin you take
- other health conditions you may have
- your kidney function
- your child’s body weight
Missed dose of Augmentin
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Augmentin. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Augmentin and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Augmentin and its dosage.
How does the dosage of Augmentin compare with the dosage of amoxicillin?
Augmentin and amoxicillin are both antibiotics used to treat certain bacterial infections. Because Augmentin contains clavulanate potassium in addition to amoxicillin, it can be used to treat different bacteria and infections compared to amoxicillin alone.
Both drugs are available in forms that are taken by mouth. Augmentin is available as an oral tablet and liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture).
Amoxicillin is available as:
- an oral tablet
- oral capsule
- chewable tablet
- powder for suspension (a powder you mix with water and drink)
Your doctor will prescribe the form that’s best for your situation.
The following table has examples of recommended dosages of both Augmentin and amoxicillin for adults.
| Condition | Recommended Augmentin dosage* | Recommended amoxicillin dosage |
|---|---|---|
| lower respiratory tract infection | one 875/125 mg tablet every 12 hours | • 500 mg every 8 hours, or • 875 mg every 12 hours |
| ear infection | one 875/125 mg tablet every 12 hours | • 250 mg every 8 hours, or • 500 mg every 12 hours |
| skin infection | one 875/125 mg tablet every 12 hours | • 250 mg every 8 hours, or • 500 mg every 12 hours |
| urinary tract infection | one 875/125 mg tablet every 12 hours | • 250 mg every 8 hours, or • 500 mg every 12 hours |
The following table provides examples of recommended dosages of both Augmentin and amoxicillin for children age 3 months and older who weigh less than 40 kg (about 88 lbs).
| Condition | Recommended Augmentin dosage* | Recommended amoxicillin dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Ear infection | 45 mg/kg/day divided into 2 daily doses (one dose every 12 hours) | • 25 mg/kg/day divided into 2 daily doses (one dose every 12 hours), or • 20 mg/kg/day divided into 3 daily doses (one dose every 8 hours) |
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about the uses or dosages of either drug.
* The dosage is based on the amoxicillin component of Augmentin.
Is Augmentin taken long term?
No, doctors don’t typically prescribe Augmentin as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use. But it’s important to finish the full course of Augmentin that’s prescribed by your doctor, even if you start to feel better. Finishing the full course will help your infection clear up completely and lower the chance of antibiotic resistance.
If you have questions about how long you should take Augmentin, talk with your doctor.
How Augmentin is taken
You’ll swallow Augmentin once every 8–12 hours, as prescribed by your doctor. Take it at the start of a meal to lower the risk of stomach upset and to help the drug work properly.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
Augmentin oral tablets are scored, which means they can be cut in half along the score line if needed, making the tablet easier to swallow. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Augmentin coupon
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Get free cardOverdose of Augmentin
It’s important that you do not take more Augmentin than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of Augmentin overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- kidney problems, including kidney failure
What to do if you take too much Augmentin
If you think you’ve taken too much Augmentin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Augmentin. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Augmentin without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Augmentin exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How long will I need to take Augmentin?
- Which form of Augmentin is best for my child?
- Will you be changing my dosage of Augmentin if I take other drugs with it?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.