This article explains how Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms are similar and different. You can view detailed articles about Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms if you’d like more information about these drugs.
Questions about Augmentin and amoxicillin
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms.
How do Augmentin and amoxicillin compare with azithromycin?
Augmentin, amoxicillin, and azithromycin are all antibiotic drugs and have several things in common. For example, these drugs can cause similar side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, and skin rash. But unlike azithromycin, amoxicillin and Augmentin aren’t known to cause irregular heart rhythm as a side effect. (For more details about the side effects of Augmentin and amoxicillin, see the “Side effects of Augmentin and amoxicillin” section below.)
Also, these drugs are not the same type of antibiotic. Amoxicillin and Augmentin are penicillin antibiotics and azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. This means azithromycin works in a slightly different way to treat bacterial infections compared with amoxicillin and Augmentin.
Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you’d like to learn more about how different antibiotic drugs compare.
Between Augmentin and amoxicillin, is one a better treatment for certain bacterial infections?
It depends on the bacteria that’s causing the infection.
Amoxicillin alone may not kill certain bacteria. This is because certain bacteria have developed the ability to destroy amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that contains only one active ingredient: amoxicillin. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) On the other hand, the antibiotic Augmentin contains two active ingredients: amoxicillin and clavulanate. Clavulanate works to stop certain bacteria from destroying amoxicillin.
Because Augmentin contains clavulanate, doctors may prescribe Augmentin to treat infections caused by certain bacteria that are likely resistant to amoxicillin. Doctors may also prescribe Augmentin for certain bacterial infections that keep coming back. Your doctor may order a test to check which strain of bacteria is causing your infection and to determine which antibiotics should work to treat it.
Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which treatment is right for you.
Uses of Augmentin and amoxicillin
Here’s a summary of the approved uses of Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms:
| Augmentin | amoxicillin oral forms | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved uses | To treat the following infections caused by certain bacteria: • middle ear infection • lower respiratory infection • sinus infection • certain skin infections • urinary tract infection (UTI) | To treat the following infections caused by certain bacteria: • upper respiratory infection of the ear, nose, or throat, including middle ear infection or strep throat • lower respiratory infection • certain skin infections • UTI • infection caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria |
| Prescribed to | adults and children of any age | adults and children of any age, except for treating H. pylori which is only an approved use in adults |
Amoxicillin oral forms are prescribed together with certain other drugs to treat H. pylori infection in adults.
Doctors may not prescribe Augmentin or amoxicillin if tests show that the bacteria causing your infection cannot be killed with Augmentin or amoxicillin treatment. Instead, they’ll prescribe a different antibiotic drug for your infection.
If you’d like to know more about taking either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether Augmentin or amoxicillin is an option to consider.
Cost of Augmentin and amoxicillin
As with the cost of other medications, the cost of Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms can vary. Their price may be affected by:
- whether they’re covered by health insurance, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy they’re purchased from
Coupons and cost savings
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Generic versions
Below is information about whether Augmentin or amoxicillin oral forms are available in generic versions.
Amoxicillin is a generic drug, and its brand-name version is Amoxil. Augmentin is a brand-name drug that’s also available in generic versions.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
If your doctor prescribed Augmentin, but you’d like to know about taking its generic version, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They can help determine whether the generic version is right for you.
Dosage of Augmentin and amoxicillin
Below is dosage information for the conditions that both Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that Augmentin and amoxicillin treat, see these articles about Augmentin dosage and amoxicillin oral forms dosage.
The following dosages are provided by drugmakers of Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage and length of treatment that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Augmentin’s dosage
Below is a summary of Augmentin’s recommended dosages in adults and children. The dosages listed for Augmentin are based on amoxicillin, one of the active ingredients Augmentin contains. (An active ingredient makes a medication work.)
Augmentin’s dosages in adults
Below is a summary of Augmentin’s recommended dosages in adults. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | How it’s taken | Recommended dosage |
|---|---|---|
| less severe infection caused by certain bacteria in adults | • oral tablet • oral liquid suspension* | 250 mg once every 8 hours or 500 mg once every 12 hours |
| more severe infection caused by certain bacteria in adults | • oral tablet • oral liquid suspension | 500 mg once every 8 hours or 875 mg once every 12 hours |
| respiratory infection caused by certain bacteria in adults | • oral tablet • oral liquid suspension | 500 mg once every 8 hours or 875 mg once every 12 hours |
* A liquid suspension is a type of liquid mixture.
Augmentin’s dosages in children
Augmentin is prescribed to treat certain bacterial infections in children. A child’s doctor will determine their dosage based on several factors. These include their age, body weight in kilograms (kg), and the type and severity of their infection. (One kg is about 2.2 pounds [lb].) Also, the form prescribed (liquid suspension, chewable tablet, or tablet) depends on the child’s weight and ability or preference for swallowing pills.
Below are a few examples of the commonly recommended dosages of Augmentin for use in children:
- In infants younger than 3 months old, the usual dosage is 30 mg/kg per day. It’s typically given in divided doses every 12 hours. Infants are usually given the liquid suspension form.
- In children ages 3 months and older who weigh less than 40 kg (about 88 lb), the dosage of Augmentin varies. It’s given in divided doses, usually two or three times per day.
- In children who weigh 40 kg or more, the adult dosage is used (see table above).
Talk with your child’s doctor for details about their exact dosage and how long they should take Augmentin.
Amoxicillin’s dosage
Below is a summary of the recommended dosages of amoxicillin oral forms in adults and children.
Amoxicillin’s dosages in adults
Below is a summary of amoxicillin’s recommended dosages in adults. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | How it’s taken | Recommended dosage |
|---|---|---|
| less severe infection caused by certain bacteria in adults | • oral tablet • oral capsule • oral liquid suspension* • chewable tablet | 250 mg once every 8 hours or 500 mg once every 12 hours |
| more severe infection caused by certain bacteria in adults | • oral tablet • oral capsule • oral liquid suspension • chewable tablet | 500 mg once every 8 hours or 875 mg once every 12 hours |
| respiratory infection caused by certain bacteria in adults | • oral tablet • oral capsule • oral liquid suspension • chewable tablet | 500 mg once every 8 hours or 875 mg once every 12 hours |
* A liquid suspension is a type of liquid mixture.
Amoxicillin’s dosages in children
Amoxicillin is also prescribed to treat certain bacterial infections in children. A child’s doctor will determine their dosage based on several factors. These include their age, body weight in kg, and the type and severity of their infection. Also, the form prescribed (liquid suspension, chewable tablet, tablet, or capsule) depends on the child’s ability or preferences for swallowing pills.
Below are a few examples of the commonly recommended dosage of amoxicillin in children:
- In infants younger than 3 months old, the usual dose is 30 mg/kg per day. It’s typically given in divided doses every 12 hours. Infants are usually given the liquid suspension form.
- In children ages 3 months and older who weigh less than 40 kg (about 88 lb), the dosage of amoxicillin varies.
- In children who weigh 40 kg or more, the adult dosage can be used (see table above).
Talk with your child’s doctor for details about their exact dosage and how long they should take amoxicillin.
Side effects of Augmentin and amoxicillin
Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms are also listed.
Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.
This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms. You can also check out these articles about Augmentin side effects and amoxicillin oral forms side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms:
| Augmentin | amoxicillin oral forms | |
| diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| nausea and vomiting | ✓ | ✓ |
| abdominal discomfort | ✓ | |
| headache | ✓ | |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms:
| Augmentin | amoxicillin oral forms | |
|---|---|---|
| Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection (a type of bacterial infection) and related diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| liver problems | ✓ | ✓ |
| serious allergic reaction, including life threatening skin reactions | ✓ | ✓ |
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from Augmentin or amoxicillin oral forms, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Warnings for Augmentin and amoxicillin
Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not take Augmentin or amoxicillin oral forms, and others should use either medication with caution.
Warnings for Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms are summarized below. Before taking either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.
Warnings for Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms are summarized in the table below:
| Augmentin | amoxicillin oral forms | |
|---|---|---|
| liver conditions, such as alcohol-related liver disease | ✓ | ✓ |
| severe kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease | ✓ | ✓ |
| mononucleosis | ✓ | ✓ |
| penicillin or cephalosporin allergy | ✓ | ✓ |
| allergic reaction to either drug or any of their ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed | ✓ | ✓ |
You can view more detailed articles about Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for Augmentin and amoxicillin oral forms.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether Augmentin or amoxicillin is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Would Augmentin or amoxicillin interact with any other drugs I’m taking?
- How long should it take before my symptoms ease from Augmentin or amoxicillin treatment?
- Would Augmentin or amoxicillin be better for me based on my health history?
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.