Worldwide Prices for Generic Augmentin
Does switching to generic Augmentin affect efficacy compared with the branded version?
The big picture view
Amoxicillin-clavulanate, commonly known by the brand name Augmentin and available in generic forms, combines the penicillin derivative amoxicillin with clavulanate potassium. Amoxicillin interferes with the formation of bacterial cell walls, while clavulanate inhibits several beta-lactamase enzymes that would otherwise destroy amoxicillin. The combination broadens activity against many beta-lactamase producing aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
In the United States this agent is supplied as immediate-release tablets, chewable tablets, oral suspensions, and some extended-release formulations for adults. Typical adult strengths include, among others:
- amoxicillin 500 mg together with 125 mg clavulanate
- dose: 875 mg amoxicillin plus 125 mg clavulanate
- amoxicillin 250 mg in conjunction with 125 mg clavulanate
Because of its utility across multiple infection types, clinicians use it for selected respiratory, skin, dental, urinary, and intra-abdominal infections when the likely pathogens are susceptible. For practical examples of infections treated and what is the correct method to take this medicine?, see What medical problems it treats and Dosing and administration guidelines.
What conditions does it treat
Prescribers often select amoxicillin-clavulanate when beta-lactamase production is a concern. Often seen signs include:
- Community-acquired pneumonia and certain lower respiratory tract infections
- Acute otitis media
- Bacterial sinusitis
- Uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections such as cellulitis and animal or human bite wounds
- Dental infections and selected intra-abdominal infections (sometimes in combination with other agents)
- Infections of the urinary tract due to susceptible bacteria
This antibiotic treats bacterial illness only; it has no effect on viral infections like common colds or influenza. For dosing specifics consult Dosing and administration workflow and for potential drug conflicts see Interacting drug effects.
Dose delivery and administration
Dose selection depends on the infection site and severity, patient's age, and kidney function. Using the minimum effective clavulanate amount helps reduce gastrointestinal temporary side effects.
- Adult examples:
- The dose for mild to moderate infections is 250 mg/125 mg every 8 hours or 500 mg/125 mg every 12 hours.
- More serious infections, such as many cases of pneumonia: 875 mg/125 mg every 12 hours
- Selected extended-release options (for some adult sinusitis or pneumonia): two 1000 mg/62.5 mg tablets every 12 hours with food
- Guidelines for administration:
- Space doses evenly across the day.
- Take with food to reduce stomach upset and improve tolerability.
- Swallow standard tablets intact; chew chewable tablets thoroughly before swallowing.
Always finish the prescribed course unless instructed otherwise. The child population and patients with impaired renal function require adjusted dosing or different formulations. For potential the interaction between participants concerns, see the following resource. Drug social interaction management, and for safety alerts check Protective measures.
Precautionary measures
- Allergy history: Inform your healthcare provider if you have had a reaction to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Liver safety: Use cautiously in those with liver disease; prior liver injury from this drug suggests avoidance.
- Renal function: Adjusting the dose may be necessary for decreased kidney function.
- C. difficile risk: Like many broad-spectrum antibiotics, it can alter gut flora and increase the risk of Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea.
- Pregnancy and infant feeding: Frequently used in pregnancy when indicated. During lactation infants may develop loose stools or rash; discuss risks and benefits developed with input from your prescriber.
If you experience severe diarrhea, jaundice, or a widespread rash, stop the medicine and seek prompt medical attention. Ask for counsel the medical grounds for not using this treatment section title. Conditions precluding use and for common adverse reactions see Negative reactions.
Medical relative contraindications of
- Known severe hypersensitivity to amoxicillin, clavulanate, or other penicillin-type antibiotics
- History of cholestatic jaundice or clinically significant hepatic dysfunction associated with prior use of amoxicillin-clavulanate
- Infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus) is not an absolute contraindication, but aminopenicillins frequently cause a generalized rash in this setting and are typically avoided
If you are unsure whether this medicine is safe for you, consult your clinician and review again Safety measures and Unintended effects.
Hidden effects
Most individuals tolerate amoxicillin-clavulanate without major problems. When harmful bodily effects occur they are commonly mild:
- Gastrointestinal: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, gas, dyspepsia
- Hypersensitivity: skin rash, itching, hives, angioedema; a severe allergic reaction like anaphylaxis is rare and requires immediate emergency care
- General or neurologic: episodic headache, dizziness, fatigue
- Hepatic: transient liver enzyme elevations; rarely cholestatic jaundice or hepatitis
- Vaginal candidiasis or vaginal irritation due to altered flora
Arrange urgent medical care for difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, persistent vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, very loose or bloody diarrhea, or seizure. Review the settings take too much medicine instructions in the manual An deliberate overdose event data. For dosing reminders, refer to the dosing notes. Dosing and administration considerations.
Drug-mutual interaction profiles for drugs
- The Probenecid drug: can reduce renal elimination of amoxicillin and raise blood levels
- Methotrexate: penicillins may reduce renal clearance of methotrexate and increase toxicity risk
- Warfarin and other vitamin K dependent anticoagulants: antibiotics can alter gut flora and vitamin K synthesisemerging potentially changing INR; monitor clotting tests
- Allopurinol: combined use has been associated with an increased incidence of rash
- Oral and live bacterial vaccines: concurrent antibiotic therapy can reduce effectiveness of some oral live vaccines
- Oral contraceptives: while direct global teams rely on robust the act of interactions. are uncommon, vomiting or severe diarrhea may reduce contraceptive effectiveness; consider backup methods if this occurs
Always inform your prescriber and pharmacist about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you use. For conditions treated by this antibiotic see It treats the following conditions.
If you miss a single dose, follow these guidelines
If you forget to take a dose, take it quickly as soon as you remember, provided the next dose is not due soon. If it is near the time for the next scheduled dose, skip the i missed one dose and continue the regular dosing interval. Do not double the dose to compensate for a i missed one dose.
For symptoms of excessive use see Overdosed data. For routine dosing questions review Administration of dosing.
Drug overdose case information
Signs of overdosed on pills may include severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, drowsiness, agitation, and rarely seizures, especially in patients with kidney impairment or extremely large ingestions. In the United States contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency care. Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies such as collapse, not breathing, or uncontrolled seizures.
For usual adverse events see Indirect effects. For safe external storage expands available space for files. and handling support see Storage facility.
Mobile keeping materials in storage ensures their availability for future operations.
- Suspensions prepared by a pharmacy: refrigerate at 36 to 46 F (2 to 8 C) and discard after 10 days unless the label states otherwise.
- Tablets: keep at controlled room temperature, typically 59 to 86 F (15 to 30 C), in a dry, tightly closed container away from direct light.
- Keep all medications out of reach of children and pets; follow local recommendations for disposal of unused medicines.
For administration details refer back to Dosing and administration basics. If you are unsure how to store a specific product, ask your pharmacist.
Substitute medications and related drugs
Choice of an an optional path depends on the suspected pathogen, allergy profile, local resistance patterns, conjoined with the infection site. Options that may be considered include:
- Doxycycline: used for some respiratory and skin infections, with activity against atypical organisms and certain MRSA strains
- Cephalexin: a first-generation cephalosporin frequently used for skin infections
- Clindamycin: covers anaerobes and many gram-positive organisms but is linked to a higher risk of C. difficile infection
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole: useful for some skin infections and urinary tract infections when organisms are susceptible
- Cefuroxime or cefdinir: oral cephalosporins for selected respiratory or urinary pathogens
- Amoxicillin alone: appropriate when beta-lactamase production is unlikely and a narrower spectrum is desired
- Fluoroquinolones (for example levofloxacin): reserved for specific marks due to safety concerns and stewardship considerations
Generic amoxicillin-clavulanate is typically equivalent in effect to brand-name Augmentin and usually costs less. For price framework analysis with comparisons, examine the options Notional prices in the United States.
Rough price levels in the United States
Out-of-pocket costs vary by pharmacy, insurance, dose, and quantity. Typical cash or discount-card ranges for generic amoxicillin-clavulanate are roughly:
- 875 mg/1tablets containing 25 mg (14 to 20 tablets): about USD 12 to 50 with common discount programs; higher at retail without discounts
- 500 mg/1a 25 mg tablet (20 to 30 tablets): roughly USD 10 to 45 with discounts
- Oral suspension (100 mL to 150 mL after reconstitution): commonly USD 12 to 40 depending on strength and vendor
- Brand-name Augmentin: often substantially more expensive, sometimes USD 150 to 300 or more for an adult course
By comparison, a course of azithromycin may cost around USD 5 to 25 and doxycycline around USD 4 to 20 out of pocket, though these drugs are not interchangeable for every infection. Insurance copays, manufacturer assistance programs, discount cards, and reputable online pharmacies can significantly reduce expenses. Always compare current prices at local and online drugstore chains.
See additional options and what this drug treats for clinical context.
Lawful status and purchase rules (USA)
- Prescription required: Amoxicillin-clavulanate is a prescription-only medication in the United States and must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional.
- Import restrictions: Importing prescription antibiotics without an appropriate U.S. prescription may violate FDA and Customs regulations and may result in seizure of the shipment.
- Stewardship of antibiotics: U.S. guidance stresses using antibiotics only when indicated, at the correct dose and duration, to limit resistance development.
- Telemedicine and e-prescribing: Telehealth visits with electronic prescriptions are widely used, though state-specific rules apply.
- Not controlled: This medication is not a controlled substance under federal law.
- Athletes: Amoxicillin-clavulanate is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list; however athletes should disclose medications to team medical staff as required.
If you change pharmacies most states permit transfer of non-controlled prescriptions. Always follow your prescriber's instructions and local laws. For price and access information see Estimated fixed pricing in the United States.
Questions most often asked
- How soon will I recover and feel better?
- Many patients begin to improve within 24 to 72 hours. If symptoms worsen or do not improve by about 72 hours, contact your healthcare provider.
- Can I drink alcohol while taking this antibiotic?
- There is no direct the networked exchange of ideas with moderate alcohol consumption, but alcohol can worsen stomach upset. Avoid alcohol if you feel unwell.
- Should I take probiotics?
- Some people take probiotics to reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. If used, space them several hours apart from the antibiotic. Evidence on benefit is mixed.
- Will this medication affect birth control?
- Most oral antibiotics do not reduce contraceptive effectiveness, but vomiting or severe diarrhea may. Use backup contraception if you experience significant gastrointestinal upset.
- Does Augmentin treat colds or flu?
- No. It treats bacterial infections and will not help viral illnesses like colds or influenza. Unnecessary use promotes resistance and may cause harm.
- Are there dietary restrictions?
- No specific foods need to be avoided; taking doses with food often reduces stomach upset.
For safety details see Safety care steps, for drug conflicts see Medication frequent the process of people engagings boost coordination., and for dosing consult Administration of dosing.
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