Augmentin generic: Availability, cost, and more

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Augmentin?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Augmentin?
• Augmentin (amoxicillin clavulanate) warnings and side effects
• What is the price of generic Augmentin?
• How to switch from Augmentin to generic amoxicillin clavulanate

In this article

• Is there a generic for Augmentin?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Augmentin?
• Augmentin (amoxicillin clavulanate) warnings and side effects
• What is the price of generic Augmentin?
• How to switch from Augmentin to generic amoxicillin clavulanate

Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate)  is a prescription antibiotic that combines amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (a form of clavulanic acid) to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, from sinusitis and ear infections to pneumonia and urinary tract infections. By pairing amoxicillin, a penicillin-type antibiotic, with clavulanate, which helps prevent certain bacteria from becoming resistant, Augmentin is often prescribed when other antibiotics may not be effective.

While brand-name Augmentin is widely used and trusted, its cost can be a concern, especially for those without insurance or with high copays. In these cases, prescribers may recommend a generic equivalent, which contains the same active ingredients at a fraction of the price. In this article, we’ll explore the availability, cost differences, and other key considerations when choosing between brand-name Augmentin and its generic version.

Is there a generic for Augmentin?

Generic Augmentin is available as amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. It became available in 1990 and is now available in liquid, powder, and tablet forms. The extended-release powdered version of Augmentin was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022. 

Healthcare professionals may recommend or substitute generic Augmentin if it’s more available or accessible than brand-name Augmentin.

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Augmentin?

Approved generic drugs work the same way in the body as their brand-name versions. They have the same active ingredients, strength, and effect on the body. The biggest difference between generic and brand-name drugs is usually the price and insurance coverage. 

Dosage strengths and forms 

Both brand-name and generic Augmentin are available in similar forms. Augmentin and its generic forms are available in tablet form and as a powder to mix into a liquid solution (oral suspension). 

The available dosage strengths of generic Augmentin depends on the drug manufacturer, but typically they’re available in the same doses and forms as brand-name Augmentin:

• Tablets: 250 mg/125 mg, 500 mg/125 mg, and 875 mg/125 mg
• Powder for oral suspension: 125 mg/31.25 mg per 5 mL, 200 mg/28.5 mg per 5 mL, 250 mg/62.5 mg per 5 mL, and 400 mg/57 mg per 5 mL
• Chewable tablets: 125 mg/31.25 mg, 200 mg/28.5 mg, 250 mg/62.5 mg, and 400 mg/57 mg

The availability of these forms and doses can vary by pharmacy. 

Appearance 

Generic Augmentin may look different from the brand-name version in color, shape, and markings. These differences don’t affect how the medication works, but they can make it easier to tell the two apart. 

Depending on the dose, brand-name Augmentin’s shape and color may vary. Most brand-name Augmentin pills are white oval tablets with “Augmentin” and its dose stamped on the pill. Some are round pink tablets.

In contrast, generic Augmentin pills do not have the “Augmentin” stamp. How amoxicillin-clavulanate pills look can vary widely by drug manufacturer. 

Clinical studies

To be approved by the FDA, brand-name Augmentin underwent extensive clinical trials to prove its safety and efficacy. Generic versions are not required to repeat these trials, but must prove bioequivalence, meaning they deliver the same amount of active ingredient in the same amount of time.

However, there are studies showing amoxicillin-clavulanate’s effectiveness for various uses, like sinus infections, pneumonia, and tooth infections. 

There aren’t many studies comparing Augmentin against its generic versions, but an in vitro study (study done on bacteria cultured in a petri dish) suggested that generic amoxicillin-clavulanate was equally as effective as brand-name Augmentin. 

Augmentin (amoxicillin clavulanate) warnings and side effects
	Augmentin (amoxicillin clavulanate)
Uses	Ear, sinus, skin, urinary tract, and lower respiratory tract infections caused by beta-lactamase-producing bacteria
Standard dosage	For adults, one 500 mg tablet every 12 hours or one 250 mg tablet every 8 hours For infants younger than 12 weeks, 30 mg per kg per day every 12 hours For children 12 weeks and older, dosing depends on the form of medicine, weight, and the type of infection
Common side effects	Diarrhea, nausea, skin rashes, itchiness
Contraindications	People allergic to amoxicillin, clavulanate, or other beta-lactam drugs such as penicillin
Other considerations	Can cause serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), liver dysfunction, diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile, and skin rash in people with mononucleosis Chewable tablets contain aspartame, which can trigger phenylketonuria Other infections can occur while taking the medication, and there’s a risk of developing drug-resistant bacteria if prescribed improperly

What is the price of generic Augmentin?

Generic Augmentin can cost a significant amount less than brand-name Augmentin. The average retail price of amoxicillin-clavulanate is $95 for 20, 875–125 mg tablets without insurance. Compared to brand-name Augmentin, which has an average price of $756 for 1, 100 mL bottle of 125-31.25 mg/5 mL suspension. Your out-of-pocket cost of Augmentin and its generic depends on its form, dosage, the pharmacy you get it from, and whether you’re using your insurance coverage or discounts to help pay for the medication.

Amoxicillin-clavulanate is typically covered by most health insurance plans, including Medicare Part D and Medicaid.

Coverage for amoxicillin clavulanate and brand-name Augmentin can vary by insurance plan. Contact your health insurance provider for more information on coverage and your out-of-pocket costs. 

Brand vs. generic Augmentin prices
	Brand-name Augmentin	Augmentin generic (amoxicillin clavulanate)
Average cost without insurance	$756 for 1, 100 mL bottle of 125–31.25 mg/5 mL suspension of Augmentin	$95 for 20, 875–125 mg tablets of generic amoxicillin-clavulanate
SingleCare’s lowest price*	$589 for 1, 100 mL bottle of 125–31.25 mg/5 mL suspension of Augmentin	$11 for 20, 875–125 mg tablets of generic amoxicillin-clavulanate
Free coupons	Augmentin coupons	Amoxicillin-clavulanate coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Oct. 23, 2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.

What are the off-label uses for Augmentin? 

Amoxicillin-clavulanate can be prescribed for off-label uses, that is, a reason that’s not approved by the FDA. Some common off-label uses of the medication include:

• Bite wounds
• Group A streptococcal infections
• Impetigo, an infection of the skin
• Acute worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis
• Diabetic foot infections
• Dental infections
• Infections around the tonsils (peritonsillar cellulitis or abscess) 
• Anthrax post-exposure prevention 
• Bacteria in the blood due to Pasteurella multocida infection
• Thoracic empyema (accumulation of pus between the lungs and chest wall) due to Actinomyces naeslundii infection

Steven Goldberg, MD, a family medicine physician in Louisville, Kentucky, and Chief Medical Officer of HealthTrackRx shares, “In adults, one of the most prominent off-label uses is for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in ambulatory patients with risk factors for drug-resistant pathogens.” He also says that off-label uses of amoxicillin-clavulanate in children include “community-acquired pneumonia after initial antibiotic treatment failure, recurrent/persistent otitis media, and complicated skin and soft-tissue infections.”

Dr. Goldberg adds that the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommend amoxicillin-clavulanate off-label as a part of combination therapy for adults with CAP who have comorbidities such as Type 2 diabetes or chronic heart disease or who have tried antibiotics already. 

Walter Gaman, MD, family medicine physician and founding partner of Executive Medicine of Texas in Southlake, Texas, adds, “While most people think of Augmentin for treating sinus infections and pneumonia, it’s often used to prevent infection, especially in dental and surgical procedures.” He explains that because it’s a combination drug, “it covers a broad spectrum of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that can be found in surgical sites. With the growing resistance to amoxicillin, this combination gives the healthcare provider more confidence that the infection will be stopped before it has a chance to become a problem for the patient.”

It’s important to note that Augmentin and amoxicillin-clavulanate should only be used when prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. It comes with the risk of causing other infections, including drug-resistant bacterial infections and C. diff (Clostridioides difficile). 

How to switch from Augmentin to generic amoxicillin clavulanate

If your prescription says “Augmentin,” you may still be able to receive the generic version, amoxicillin-clavulanate, at the pharmacy. “Most pharmacists will choose generic when filling a prescription, if one is available. If a patient or healthcare provider prefers the brand over generic, the prescription can be written for brand-name only, requiring the pharmacist to fill it as written,” Dr. Gaman says.

There are very few situations where brand-name Augmentin would be preferred over the generic, since both contain the same active ingredients and work the same way. “Generic forms of Augmentin contain the same ingredients, amoxicillin [and] clavulanate, therefore they are bioequivalent and have the same therapeutic effect,” Dr. Gaman says. 

You also don’t need to worry about withdrawal symptoms when switching from brand to generic, but Augmentin and amoxicillin-clavulanate still have the same risks of side effects. “The most common side effect of Augmentin is gastrointestinal upset,” Dr. Gaman says. He shares that patients should look out for C. diff infections, which cause symptoms such as persistent diarrhea or foul-smelling stool. This “would require immediate attention,” he advises. 

If you notice any differences, such as unexpected side effects or changes in how well the medication seems to work, let your healthcare provider or pharmacist know.

Bottom line

Amoxicillin-clavulanate is the generic version of Augmentin, and it’s been widely available for more than 20 years. It’s prescribed for many of the same infections as the brand-name drug and may also be used off-label in certain cases. 

While generic tablets or suspensions may look different from brand-name Augmentin, they work the same way in the body and carry the same potential side effects. The major difference between the two is price and insurance coverage, so sometimes healthcare providers may substitute the generic for brand-name Augmentin.

As with any antibiotic, it’s important to take amoxicillin-clavulanate exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider to ensure effectiveness and help prevent antibiotic resistance.