Augmentin

Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.

Generic name: amoxicillin / clavulanate potassium
Brand names: Augmentin, Augmentin Duo, Augmentin ES
Drug class: Beta-lactam antibiotic (amoxicillin) combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor (clavulanate potassium)
Form: Tablet, film coated; powder for suspension
Route: Oral
Legal status: Prescription-only medicine

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States

What amoxicillin / clavulanate potassium is and how it works

Augmentin is a combination antibiotic containing amoxicillin, a penicillin-type antibiotic, and clavulanate potassium, a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Clavulanate potassium protects amoxicillin from breakdown by certain bacterial enzymes, allowing amoxicillin to work against bacteria that would otherwise be resistant. (1) (2)

Augmentin is prescribed to treat specific bacterial infections. Take it exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider, and contact them before making any change to the prescribed course.

Mechanism of action: how amoxicillin / clavulanate potassium works

Amoxicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that kills susceptible bacteria. Clavulanate potassium is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that blocks the bacterial enzyme that would otherwise inactivate amoxicillin, protecting amoxicillin's activity against beta-lactamase-producing organisms. (1)

What amoxicillin / clavulanate potassium is used for

Lower respiratory tract infections

Treatment of lower respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible beta-lactamase-producing bacteria. (1)

Acute bacterial otitis media

Treatment of acute otitis media caused by susceptible beta-lactamase-producing bacteria. (1)

Sinusitis

Treatment of sinusitis caused by susceptible beta-lactamase-producing bacteria. (1)

Skin and skin-structure infections

Treatment of skin and skin-structure infections caused by susceptible beta-lactamase-producing bacteria. (1)

Urinary tract infections

Treatment of urinary tract infections caused by susceptible beta-lactamase-producing bacteria. (1)

Before taking amoxicillin / clavulanate potassium

Do not take / not appropriate for

Do not take Augmentin if you have a history of a serious hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to amoxicillin, clavulanate, any penicillin, or other beta-lactam antibiotics. (general) (1)
Do not take Augmentin if you have a history of cholestatic jaundice or hepatic dysfunction associated with prior amoxicillin/clavulanate use. (general) (1)

Tell your clinician about

All allergies, particularly to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other beta-lactam antibiotics.
Any history of liver problems, jaundice, or abnormal liver function tests.
Kidney disease or reduced kidney function, as dose adjustment may be needed.
A diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever), as a rash may develop if amoxicillin is given.
All current medications, including probenecid, allopurinol, warfarin or other oral anticoagulants, and oral contraceptives.
Pregnancy, plans to become pregnant, or breastfeeding status.

(1)

How to take amoxicillin / clavulanate potassium

Take Augmentin exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not alter the dose or stop early unless instructed.
The reconstituted oral suspension must be refrigerated and discarded after 10 days.

(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3)

Missed dose

Contact your prescriber or pharmacist for instructions if you miss a dose. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed one. The official prescribing information does not specify a single missed-dose rule.

Overdose

If an overdose is suspected, seek immediate medical attention or contact a poison control service; treatment decisions, including whether to continue or stop the medicine, must be made by a healthcare professional. High doses of amoxicillin can cause crystalluria and renal failure; adequate fluid intake and urine output help reduce this risk. Amoxicillin/clavulanate can be removed by hemodialysis. (1)

Side effects

Like all medicines, Augmentin can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention. Frequencies below are from the US prescribing information.

Diarrhea or loose stools

What to notice: Occurs in about 9% of patients.

What to do: Usually mild; stay hydrated. Contact your doctor if diarrhea is severe, persistent, watery, or bloody. (1)

Nausea

What to notice: Occurs in about 3% of patients.

What to do: May be reduced by taking the dose with food. If severe, tell your prescriber. (1)

Skin rash or hives (urticaria)

What to notice: Occurs in about 3% of patients; may be mild or widespread.

What to do: Report any rash to your doctor, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. (1)

Vomiting

What to notice: Occurs in about 1% of patients.

What to do: If frequent or preventing you from keeping the medicine down, contact your prescriber. (1)

Vaginitis

What to notice: Occurs in about 1% of patients; may include itching, discharge, or discomfort.

What to do: Inform your doctor if symptoms are bothersome or persistent. (1)

Severe or persistent diarrhea

What to notice: Watery or bloody stools that may occur during or after antibiotic therapy (possible C. difficile-associated diarrhea).

What to do: Contact your healthcare provider immediately. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicines without medical advice. (1)

Signs of liver problems

What to notice: Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe tiredness (possible signs of liver problems).

What to do: Seek medical attention promptly. Let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop treatment. (1)

Signs of a new infection (superinfection)

What to notice: New fever, mouth sores, vaginal discharge, or other signs of fungal or bacterial overgrowth.

What to do: Contact your prescriber for evaluation. (1)

Serious warnings

Hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis — emergency

Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or a severe skin rash (possible anaphylaxis or a serious hypersensitivity reaction such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome).

Action: Seek emergency medical care immediately. Let the clinician who treats you advise on whether to continue or stop the medicine. (1)

Hepatic dysfunction — contact_clinician_promptly

Symptoms: Jaundice, dark urine, severe tiredness, abdominal pain, or abnormal liver function tests.

Action: Seek medical attention promptly. Let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop treatment. (1)

C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) — contact_clinician_promptly

Symptoms: Persistent or severe diarrhea with watery or bloody stools, which may occur during or after therapy.

Action: Contact your doctor immediately. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicines without advice. (1)

Skin rash in mononucleosis — contact_clinician

Symptoms: Widespread red, often itchy rash, possibly with fever, sore throat, and swollen glands, in the context of suspected glandular fever.

Action: Contact your prescriber. Amoxicillin should generally be avoided in suspected mononucleosis. (1)

Superinfection — contact_clinician

Symptoms: New signs of infection such as oral thrush, vaginal yeast infection, or fever, suggesting overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms.

Action: Notify your prescriber for evaluation and management. (1)

Interactions

Medicine or test	Effect	Action
Probenecid	Increases amoxicillin blood levels by reducing renal clearance.	Co-administration is not recommended. Inform your doctor if you are taking probenecid. (1)
Allopurinol	Increases the incidence of skin rash compared to amoxicillin alone.	Tell your doctor if you are on allopurinol. (1)
Oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin)	May prolong prothrombin time and increase INR, raising bleeding risk.	Monitor INR closely and adjust anticoagulant dose as directed by a clinician. (1)
Oral contraceptives	Amoxicillin-class antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives by affecting intestinal bacteria.	Use an additional or backup method of contraception while taking Augmentin. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Animal reproduction studies did not show evidence of fetal harm at doses several times the human dose. Augmentin should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed, as determined by a healthcare provider. (1)

Breastfeeding

Amoxicillin is excreted in breast milk. Caution is advised; nursing infants should be observed for allergic reactions, diarrhea, or thrush. (1)

Pediatric patients

Safety and effectiveness are established in children. Dosing is weight-based for those under 40 kg. Infants younger than 12 weeks require a lower dose because of immature kidney function; follow prescriber guidance exactly. (1)

Geriatric patients

Generally, no overall differences in safety or effectiveness are observed. However, dose adjustment may be needed if kidney function is reduced, as amoxicillin is primarily eliminated by the kidneys. (1)

Renal impairment

Dose and/or interval must be adjusted based on the degree of kidney dysfunction. The 875 mg strength should be avoided if GFR is below 30 mL/min. A prescriber will determine the appropriate regimen. (1)

Monitoring

Before starting

Confirm known allergies (penicillins, cephalosporins) and history of liver problems or mononucleosis.
Review all concurrent medications, especially probenecid, allopurinol, oral anticoagulants, and oral contraceptives.
Discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding status.

During treatment

Watch for signs of hypersensitivity (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing) and report immediately.
Monitor liver function if pre-existing impairment or signs of liver injury appear.
Evaluate severe or persistent diarrhea for possible C. difficile infection.
Assess for signs of superinfection (oral thrush, vaginal yeast infection), which can occur with antibiotic use.
Check INR closely if on oral anticoagulants.
Ensure adequate fluid intake to reduce risk of crystalluria, especially with prolonged high doses.

(1)

Storage

Tablets and unreconstituted powder for suspension should be stored at or below 25°C (77°F). After mixing, the oral suspension must be refrigerated and discarded after 10 days. Keep all forms out of the reach of children.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only. Always consult the current local prescribing information and guideline recommendations.

All regions (US DailyMed-based framework)

Indication: General dosing considerations

Dose summary: Dosing is based on the amoxicillin component and depends on infection type, severity, patient weight, and renal function. For adults and pediatric patients ≥40 kg: 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours for standard infections; 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours for more severe or respiratory infections. For pediatric patients ≥12 weeks and <40 kg: weight-based dosing divided every 12 hours or every 8 hours, up to the adult maximum. For neonates and infants <12 weeks: 30 mg/kg/day (amoxicillin component) divided every 12 hours. Detailed regimens must be determined by the prescriber.

Renal context: Dose and/or interval adjustment is required in renal impairment. Avoid the 875 mg strength if GFR <30 mL/min. For GFR 10–30 mL/min: 500 mg or 250 mg every 12 hours. For GFR <10 mL/min: 500 mg or 250 mg every 24 hours. Hemodialysis patients require an additional dose during and after dialysis. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; monitor liver function. Avoid in patients with a history of hepatic dysfunction or jaundice associated with prior amoxicillin/clavulanate use.

Overdose note

Manage with symptomatic and supportive care under medical supervision. Adequate hydration reduces crystalluria risk. Hemodialysis removes the drug. (1)

Frequently asked questions

I feel better after a few days. Can I stop taking Augmentin?

Contact your prescriber before making any change to your course. Do not stop or change your prescribed course without their advice. (1)

I am allergic to penicillin. Is Augmentin safe for me?

No. If you have a known serious allergy to penicillins or other beta-lactams, you should not take Augmentin. Always tell your doctor about any allergies beforehand. (1)

Does Augmentin interact with my birth control pills?

Yes, it may reduce the effectiveness of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives. Use a backup method (e.g., condoms) while taking Augmentin. (1)

What should I do if I develop severe diarrhea?

Contact your doctor promptly. Diarrhea can be a sign of a serious bowel infection caused by C. difficile. Do not treat with over-the-counter anti-diarrhea products without medical advice. (1)

How should I store the liquid suspension?

Keep the mixed suspension in the refrigerator and throw away any unused medicine after 10 days. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of amoxicillin / clavulanate potassium?

What is the generic name of Augmentin?

The generic name is amoxicillin / clavulanate potassium. It is sold under brand names including Augmentin, Augmentin Duo, Augmentin ES. (1) (2) (3)

What class of drug is amoxicillin / clavulanate potassium?

Augmentin is classed as: Beta-lactam antibiotic (amoxicillin) combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor (clavulanate potassium). (1) (2) (3)

References

AUGMENTIN — amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet, film coated / powder, for suspensionDailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 1
Augmentin 375 mg and 625 mg tablets / Augmentin 125/31 SF suspension — Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic Medicines Compendium (UK) · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 2
Augmentin Duo and Augmentin ES amoxicillin/clavulanic acid — ARTG 142692 and 98693Therapeutic Goods Administration · Australia · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 3

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient amoxicillin / clavulanate potassium names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

Augmentin
AUGMENTIN ES-600

View brands in additional countries.