Augmentin is a brand-name prescription medication that contains the active drugs amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. It belongs to a class of drugs called penicillin antibiotics. Augmentin is available in a generic form.
This medication has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain bacterial infections in adults and children. These infections include:
- sinus infection
- lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia
- ear infection
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
- certain skin infections
In this article, you’ll find additional information about Augmentin’s dosage and details on how to take the drug. For a comprehensive overview of Augmentin, view this article.
Finding a healthcare professional
If you’re interested in taking Augmentin, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.
This article describes typical recommended dosages for Augmentin. These dosages are provided by the drug’s manufacturer.
Always follow the dosage of Augmentin that your doctor prescribes.
Commonly recommended dosages for Augmentin in adults are shown below.
You should take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.They’ll recommend the dosage that’s best for your condition.
For information about the drug’s dosages in children, see the “Augmentin: Pediatric dosage” section below.
Augmentin’s forms and strengths
Augmentin is available as follows.
| Forms | Strengths |
| oral tablet | • 875 milligrams (mg) |
| liquid suspension | • 125 mg per 5 milliliters (mL) • 250 mg/5 mL • 600 mg/5mL |
Typical recommended dosages
Typically recommended dosages for Augmentin are detailed below.
Augmentin dosage for UTI, sinus infection, and other infections
Augmentin is approved to treat certain bacterial infections in adults. These infections include urinary tract infection (UTI), sinus infection, ear infection, certain skin infections, and lower respiratory infection.
The table below provides information about Augmentin tablet dosages.
| Type of infection | Dosage |
| severe infection or respiratory infection, including pneumonia | • 875 mg every 12 hours • 500 mg* every 8 hours |
| less severe approved infections, such as mild UTI | • 500 mg* every 12 hours • 250 mg* every 8 hours |
* This strength is no longer available as brand-name Augmentin. However, it is available in the generic form (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid).
Your doctor may prescribe the liquid suspension form if you have difficulty swallowing Augmentin tablets. In this case, your dosage will be one of the following, regardless of the type of infection:
- 125 mg/31.25 mg per 5 mL every 8 hours, or
- 250 mg/62.5 mg per 5 mL every 8 hours
Length of treatment
Doctors typically don’t prescribe Augmentin as a long-term treatment. Instead, they usually prescribe it for a short time to treat certain infections.
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you exactly how long to take Augmentin and how many doses you’ll take. It’s very important that you take Augmentin exactly as prescribed and complete the treatment, even if your symptoms start to improve.
Commonly recommended dosages for Augmentin in children are shown below.
You should take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.They’ll recommend the dosage that’s best for your condition.
For information about the drug’s dosages in adults, see the “Augmentin: Adult dosage” section above.
Augmentin’s forms and strengths
Augmentin is available as follows.
| Forms | Strengths |
| oral tablet | • 875 milligrams (mg) |
| liquid suspension | • 125 mg per 5 milliliters (mL) • 250 mg/5 mL • 600 mg/5mL |
Certain forms of the drug are recommended in children of certain ages. For example, the liquid suspension is usually recommended when the drug is prescribed to younger children.
Typical recommended dosages
Typically recommended dosages for Augmentin when prescribed to children are detailed below.
Augmentin dosage for UTI, sinus infection, and other infections in children
Augmentin is approved to treat certain bacterial infections in children of all ages. These infections include urinary tract infection (UTI), sinus infection, ear infection, certain skin infections, and lower respiratory infection.
Augmentin dosages in children depend on the child’s age, weight in kilograms (kg), and the type and severity of infection treated. One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Children less than 3 months of age
When prescribed to treat infection in children less than 3 months of age, Augmentin’s dosage is based on the child’s weight. Below is an overview of Augmentin’s recommended dosage in children less than 3 months of age.
- Dose: 30 mg/kg per day, which is divided into two daily doses
- Frequency: once every 12 hours
For example, an infant weighing 10 kg (about 22 lb) would be prescribed an Augmentin dosage of 150 mg every 12 hours. This would be a total daily dose of 300 mg.
Children ages 3 months and older who weigh less than 40 kg
Augmentin’s dosage in children ages 3 months and older who weigh less than 40 kg is based on body weight and the type and severity of infection.
The table below provides information about Augmentin’s dosage for these children.
| Infection | Dose | Frequency |
| • ear infection • lower respiratory infection • severe infection • sinus infection |
40 mg per kg per day, which is divided into three daily doses | once every 8 hours |
| less severe infections and other approved infections not listed above | 20 mg/kg per day, which is divided into three daily doses | once every 8 hours |
For example, let’s say we have a 7-year-old child who weighs 30 kg and has an ear infection. This child would be prescribed a daily dose of Augmentin of 1,200 mg. This would be split into a 400 mg dose given every 8 hours.
Children ages 3 months and older who weigh more than 40 kg
Augmentin’s dosage for treating children ages 3 months and older who weigh more than 40 kg is the same as the dosages for adults. For details, see the “Augmentin: Adult dosage” section above.
Augmentin ES-600 dosage in children
Dosing for Augmentin ES-600 is different than for Augmentin. The two drugs are not interchangeable.
Augmentin ES-600 may be prescribed to treat ear infections in children who weigh less than 40 kg (about 88 lb). Below is an overview of Augmentin ES-600’s recommended dosage in children.
- Dose: 90 mg/kg per day, which is divided into two daily doses
- Frequency: once every 12 hours for a total of 10 days
For example, a child who weighs 32 kg (about 70 lb) would likely be prescribed a dose of 1,440 mg taken twice per day. This would be a total daily dose of 2,880 mg.
Length of treatment
Doctors typically don’t prescribe Augmentin as a long-term treatment. Instead, they usually prescribe it for a short time to treat your infection.
Below are some common questions related to Augmentin’s dosage.
Is there an Augmentin 875-mg dosage for tooth infection?
Augmentin is not approved for treating a tooth infection. However, doctors commonly prescribe the drug off-label for this use. With “off-label use,” doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it is approved.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about taking Augmentin for a tooth infection.
Does Augmentin have a pediatric dose calculator?
There’s no official pediatric dose calculator from Augmentin’s manufacturer.
However, healthcare professionals can calculate a dose for a child based on the child’s weight in kilograms (kg). For details, see the “Augmentin: Pediatric dosage” section above.
If you have questions about your child’s dose of Augmentin, talk with their doctor.
Could my doctor prescribe an Augmentin 625-mg dosage for throat infection? Or what about a 1-g dosage for throat infection?
Augmentin is not approved for treating throat infections. However, doctors commonly prescribe the drug off-label for this use. With “off-label use,” doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it is approved.
To learn more about Augmentin and throat infection, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is there an Augmentin 1-g dose for adults?
There’s no approved use for a 1-gram (g) dose of Augmentin. However, doctors may prescribe this dose off-label. With “off-label use,” doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it is approved. Or, as in this case, when a dose of a drug is prescribed other than the approved doses.
If you have questions about Augmentin’s possible doses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor will consider several factors when prescribing the dosage for Augmentin. These factors include:
- your age
- the type and severity of infection you’re taking Augmentin to treat
- the form of Augmentin you’re taking
Your prescribed dosage may also vary based on other medical conditions you have.
Recommended adjustments in dosage
Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose if you have kidney problems, especially if they are severe. An example of a kidney problem is chronic kidney disease. Be sure to let your doctor know if you have kidney problems before you start taking Augmentin.
Augmentin comes as a tablet as well as a liquid suspension. You’ll take either form by mouth.
Your doctor may recommend that you take Augmentin around the same time of day. Doing so will help maintain a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And this can help Augmentin work effectively.
If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to take this form of medication. Also, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about taking your medication.
If you find it challenging to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels with large print or braille. They may also offer labels containing a scannable code that your smartphone can convert from text to speech. If your pharmacy doesn’t provide these choices, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If it’s difficult for you to open medication bottles, ask your pharmacist if they can dispense Augmentin in an easy-open container. They also may recommend ways to help make it easier to open the bottles.
If you miss a dose of Augmentin, try and take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular scheduled time. Do not take more than one dose of Augmentin at a time.
View these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses. You could also set an alarm or download a reminder app on your phone.
If you take more than the recommended dosage of Augmentin, serious effects can occur. Do not use more Augmentin than your doctor prescribes.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms that an overdose of Augmentin could cause include:
- nausea or vomiting
- drowsiness
- stomach pain
- kidney damage or failure
What to do in case of overdose
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. Also, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or a local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for additional information about Augmentin’s dosage. Keep in mind that the dosages presented in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Augmentin that’s right for you and your condition. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any medications you’re taking, do not change your Augmentin dosage without a recommendation from your doctor.
In addition to discussing Augmentin with your doctor, you may find the following articles helpful in learning more.
- Overview of Augmentin. For comprehensive details on Augmentin, see this article.
- Drug comparisons. To learn how Augmentin compares with amoxicillin, read this article.
- Information on side effects. If you’d like to know about possible side effects of Augmentin, view this article.
- Details about infections. To learn more about infections, which Augmentin is used to treat, see this article.
Disclaimer: Healthgrades 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.
