{"id":3625,"date":"2019-01-24T20:27:34","date_gmt":"2019-01-25T01:27:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=3625"},"modified":"2026-04-09T16:47:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T20:47:20","slug":"amoxicillin-vs-augmentin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/amoxicillin-vs-augmentin\/","title":{"rendered":"Amoxicillin vs. Augmentin: Differences & similarities explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amoxicillin<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> Augmentin<\/span><\/a> are two <\/span>antibiotics<\/span><\/a> commonly prescribed for similar infections, which is why people confuse them. They are both<\/span> penicillin antibiotics<\/span><\/a> commonly used to treat sinus, ear, and skin infections caused by bacteria, not viruses. Confusion between the two is common because they both contain the active ingredient amoxicillin. However, Augmentin also contains a second-active ingredient called clavulanate, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, which enhances its effectiveness against certain infections. When comparing amoxicillin versus Augmentin, the best choice often depends on the infection type, history of antibiotic use,\u00a0 and the risk of resistance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 Compare Augmentin vs. amoxicillin key differences<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Details<\/b><\/td>\nAmoxicillin<\/b><\/td>\nAugmentin<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nPenicillin antibiotic<\/span><\/td>\nPenicillin antibiotic<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand and generic versions available<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic versions available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What are the generic and brand names?<\/b><\/td>\nAmoxil and Moxatag (amoxicillin)<\/span><\/td>\nAugmentin, Augmentin XR, Augmentin ES-600 (amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What forms does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nCapsules, tablets, chewable tablets, oral suspension<\/span><\/td>\nTablets, chewable tablets, oral suspension\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/span><\/a> is based on patient\u2019s age and the infection being treated.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The standard dose for most bacterial infections in adults and children is 500\u2013875 mg every 12 hours or 250\u2013500 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\n		Dosage<\/span><\/a> is based on patient\u2019s age and the infection being treated.<\/span><\/p>\n

The standard dose for adults is 1,500-1,875\/125 mg every 8\u201312 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nTreatment duration depends on the infection.<\/span><\/td>\nTreatment duration depends on the infection.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nFrom birth onward, with no upper age limit\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nFrom birth onward, with no upper age limit<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source: <\/span><\/i>Augmentin DailyMed<\/span><\/i><\/a> and <\/span><\/i>Amoxicillin DailyMed<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

Uses for Augmentin vs. amoxicillin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Amoxicillin and Augmentin are both used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including <\/span>upper respiratory tract infections<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>sore throat<\/span><\/a>, and certain skin rashes. That said, neither amoxicillin nor Augmentin is an appropriate treatment for <\/span>all<\/span><\/i> infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA good way to think of it is that amoxicillin is an effective soldier against many bacteria,\u201d says <\/span>Cynthia Odogwu, MD<\/span><\/a>, a family and lifestyle medicine physician <\/span>in Maryland<\/span><\/a>. \u201cSome bacteria, however, have put on a strong armor (i.e., beta-lactamases) that breaks down amoxicillin before it can kill them. It becomes important to use Augmentin when treating infections caused by beta-lactamase-producing bacteria.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important for a healthcare professional to identify the bacteria causing the problem. Taking antibiotics that are ineffective against the active infection can lead to <\/span>antibiotic resistance<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0Compare Augmentin vs. amoxicillin indications<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nAmoxicillin uses<\/b><\/td>\nAugmentin uses<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Respiratory tract infections (i.e., strep throat, pharyngitis, bronchitis)<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Otitis media (ear infection)<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sinus infections<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Skin infections<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Urinary tract infections<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Helicobacter pylori infection<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duodenal ulcer disease\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lyme disease<\/b><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Periodontitis (severe gum infection)<\/b><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Actinomycosis<\/b><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bite wounds<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diabetic foot infections<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acute COPD flare-ups<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prevention of infection after anthrax exposure<\/b><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Sources: FDA drug labels, StatPearls (<\/span><\/i>amoxicillin<\/span><\/i><\/a> and <\/span><\/i>amoxicillin-clavulanate<\/span><\/i><\/a>), and MedlinePlus (<\/span><\/i>amoxicillin<\/span><\/i><\/a>)<\/span><\/i><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

Is Augmentin better than amoxicillin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cAugmentin is not necessarily better than amoxicillin,\u201d says <\/span>Jennifer Allyn<\/span><\/a>, MD, a women\u2019s health specialist and physician health advocate in Fairfax, VA. \u201cI remind my patients that what is best is to prescribe the simplest antibiotic that is effective for a particular infection.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Dr. Allyn and Dr. Odogwu suggest that amoxicillin is a \u201cfirst choice\u201d for treating many common infections. However, they also say more resistant or difficult-to-treat infections may require the extra power of Augmentin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is what the research shows:<\/span><\/p>\n