Buy Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate) — Online Prescription
Augmentin is amoxicillin combined with clavulanate potassium — the ingredient that lets it fight bacteria plain amoxicillin can't touch. Here's the real difference from amoxicillin, correct dosing, why GI side effects are more common, and what it actually treats (strep throat isn't on that list).
Medically reviewed Medically reviewed by Angelo DeFazio, R.Ph. — NPI 1629115530 · Last updated 2026-09-02
| Active ingredient | Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium |
|---|---|
| Dosage form | Tablet, chewable tablet, oral suspension, extended-release tablet |
| Administration route | Oral |
Indications: 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension, 600 mg/42.9 mg per 5 mL is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients aged 3 months to 12 years weighing less than or equal to 40 kg with: Recurrent or persistent acute otitis media due to S. pneumoniae (penicillin MICs less than or equal to 2 mcg/mL), H. influenzae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains), or M. catarrhalis (including beta-lactamase-producing strains) characterized by the following ris…
Contraindications: 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension, 600 mg/42.9 mg per 5 mL or any other beta-lactams (e.g., penicillins or cephalosporins). ( 4.1 ) History of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension, 600 mg/42.9 mg per 5 mL. ( 4.2 ) 4.1 Serious Hypersensitivity Reactions Amoxicillin and clavulanate…
openFDA label data — Updated 2026-09-02Augmentin is amoxicillin plus clavulanate potassium — an added ingredient that blocks a bacterial defense mechanism, letting the amoxicillin work against bacteria that would otherwise resist it. It's prescription-only, most commonly dosed as one 875mg/125mg tablet every 12 hours, and causes diarrhea more often than plain amoxicillin because of the clavulanate. It treats sinus, ear, urinary, skin, dental, and lower respiratory infections — not strep throat, which is a job for plain amoxicillin.
What Augmentin is, and how clavulanate works
Augmentin is the brand name for a combination of two ingredients: amoxicillin, a penicillin-class antibiotic, and clavulanate potassium, a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Clavulanate has no meaningful antibacterial effect on its own — its entire job is to disable an enzyme called beta-lactamase that certain bacteria produce specifically to break down and inactivate amoxicillin before it can kill them.
By blocking that enzyme, clavulanate effectively restores amoxicillin's ability to work against bacterial strains that would otherwise shrug it off. That's the whole reason Augmentin exists as a separate product rather than just a higher dose of amoxicillin — more amoxicillin alone doesn't help if the bacteria can destroy it as fast as it arrives.
Augmentin vs. plain amoxicillin
This is one of the most commonly searched questions about this drug, and the confusion is understandable — the two are closely related but not interchangeable.
Amoxicillin
- Coverage
- Narrower — ineffective against bacteria that produce beta-lactamase
- Common strengths
- 250 mg, 500 mg, 875 mg
- GI side effects
- Present, generally milder
- Typically first-line for
- Strep throat, uncomplicated ear/sinus infections
Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate)
- Coverage
- Broader — clavulanate blocks the resistance mechanism
- Common strengths
- 500/125mg, 875/125mg, XR 1000/62.5mg
- GI side effects
- More common — diarrhea is the most frequently reported
- Typically chosen when
- Resistant bacteria are likely, or amoxicillin alone already failed
In short: Augmentin isn't a "stronger" version of amoxicillin, it's amoxicillin plus a specific fix for one specific type of bacterial resistance. If your infection doesn't involve that resistance mechanism, plain amoxicillin does the job with less GI upset — which is exactly why prescribers don't reach for Augmentin by default.
If you were actually comparing amoxicillin to azithromycin (a different antibiotic class entirely, used for different infections like pneumonia), see our dedicated amoxicillin vs. azithromycin comparison instead — that's a different question than amoxicillin vs. Augmentin.
Dosing and forms
Dosing depends heavily on the infection, patient weight (for children), kidney function, and which product formulation is prescribed — the strengths below are not interchangeable with each other.
| Form | Common adult strengths | Typical interval |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate-release tablet | 250/125mg, 500/125mg, 875/125mg | Every 8–12 hours |
| Chewable tablet (pediatric) | 200/28.5mg, 400/57mg | Every 12 hours, weight-based |
| Oral suspension (pediatric) | 125mg/5mL through 600mg/5mL | Every 8–12 hours, weight-based |
| Extended-release tablet (Augmentin XR) | 1000mg/62.5mg | Every 12 hours |
The 875mg/125mg tablet dosed every 12 hours is the most common adult regimen and the most-searched strength. Never split, double, or substitute strengths on your own — the amoxicillin-to-clavulanate ratio changes between products, so two 500/125mg tablets are not the same dose as one 1000/125mg tablet.
What Augmentin actually treats (and doesn't)
Per the FDA-approved label, Augmentin is indicated for infections caused by beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in these categories:
- Sinusitis — sinus infections involving resistant H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis
- Acute bacterial otitis media — ear infections
- Lower respiratory tract infections
- Skin and skin-structure infections, including some animal and human bite wounds
- Urinary tract infections caused by resistant strains
It's also commonly prescribed for dental infections, though that use is often based on clinical practice rather than a specific FDA-labeled indication.
Infections where resistant, beta-lactamase-producing bacteria are suspected or confirmed — or when a prior course of plain amoxicillin didn't clear the infection.
Strep throat. Streptococcus pyogenes doesn't produce beta-lactamase, so plain amoxicillin or penicillin clears it just as effectively — with less risk of diarrhea. If you were prescribed Augmentin for a throat culture that came back positive for strep, ask your prescriber why; there may be a specific reason (like a mixed infection), but it isn't the routine choice.
Side effects, diarrhea, and alcohol
Clavulanate itself tends to stimulate gut motility and disrupts normal intestinal bacteria more than amoxicillin alone does, which is why diarrhea is reported in roughly 1 in 10 people taking Augmentin — a meaningfully higher rate than plain amoxicillin. Taking each dose with food can reduce stomach upset without reducing how well the drug works. Contact your prescriber promptly if diarrhea becomes severe, watery, or bloody, which can (rarely) indicate C. difficile colitis, a complication that needs its own treatment and should never be managed with over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication without medical guidance.
Other reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, and rash. As with any penicillin-class antibiotic, Augmentin should not be taken by anyone with a known penicillin allergy — tell your prescriber and pharmacist about any prior antibiotic reactions before starting it. There's no dangerous direct interaction between Augmentin and alcohol, but alcohol can worsen the GI side effects that are already more common with this drug, so it's reasonable to avoid it until you finish the course.
Generic pricing and filling your prescription
- Buy generic, not brand. Brand-name Augmentin is rarely stocked by pharmacies today — the generic amoxicillin/clavulanate is chemically identical and significantly cheaper. We default to generic unless your prescriber specifies brand-only.
- Ask about the cash price. Generic amoxicillin/clavulanate is inexpensive at the wholesale level (see the price table above) — ask your Arrow Pharmacy pharmacist for a cash-price quote or a discount/coupon option before assuming your insurance copay is the cheapest route.
- Order and fill quickly. Call us at (860) 522-9289 once your prescriber sends the prescription and we can have it ready fast — Augmentin doesn't keep well once mixed as a suspension, so timing your pickup matters for the pediatric liquid form especially.
If cost or access is still a concern, ask us about patient assistance and discount programs — see our patient assistance programs page for options that apply broadly, not just to this drug.
No active shortage reported — No shortage records found for this generic name.
FDA openFDA — Updated 2026-09-02National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC): $0.298 per tablet (AMOX-CLAV 875-125 MG TABLET). This is the average price pharmacies pay wholesalers — not your out-of-pocket cost — published by CMS for pricing transparency.
CMS NADAC — Updated 2026-09-02Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate) Prices in the USA
| Dosage | Brand-name avg. price | Generic avg. price |
|---|---|---|
| 500 mg/125 mg tablet (10-day course) | $150–260 (Augmentin, rarely stocked) | $15–30 |
| 875 mg/125 mg tablet (10-day course) | $160–280 (Augmentin, rarely stocked) | $15–35 |
| Oral suspension, pediatric (per bottle) | $120–200 (Augmentin, rarely stocked) | $20–45 |
| Augmentin XR 1000 mg/62.5 mg (per course) | $200–350 | $40–80 |
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is Augmentin, and how does it work?
Augmentin is a combination of amoxicillin (a penicillin-class antibiotic) and clavulanate potassium (a beta-lactamase inhibitor). Amoxicillin kills bacteria by disrupting their cell walls, but some bacteria produce an enzyme called beta-lactamase that destroys amoxicillin before it can work. Clavulanate has no antibacterial effect of its own — its job is to block that enzyme, which restores amoxicillin's effectiveness against those resistant strains.
Is Augmentin the same as amoxicillin?
No. They share the same core antibiotic, but Augmentin adds clavulanate to cover bacteria that plain amoxicillin can't reliably kill. That broader coverage is also why Augmentin is more likely to cause GI side effects like diarrhea. Your prescriber chooses between them based on the specific infection and local resistance patterns, not personal preference.
What is the standard Augmentin 875 dosage?
For most adult infections, the standard immediate-release dose is one 875 mg/125 mg tablet by mouth every 12 hours, typically for 5–14 days depending on the infection being treated. The extended-release form (Augmentin XR) is dosed differently. Always follow your prescriber's specific instructions — dosing varies by infection, kidney function, weight (for children), and formulation, and doses are not interchangeable between strengths.
Why does Augmentin cause more diarrhea than amoxicillin?
The clavulanate component is the main reason. Clinical data cited by the FDA label and consumer drug references put diarrhea in roughly 1 in 10 people taking Augmentin, a notably higher rate than plain amoxicillin. Taking it with food can reduce stomach upset without affecting how well it works. Contact your prescriber if diarrhea is severe, watery, or contains blood — rarely, this can signal a more serious complication (C. difficile colitis) that needs its own treatment.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Augmentin?
There's no dangerous direct interaction between alcohol and Augmentin the way there is with metronidazole. That said, alcohol can worsen the GI side effects Augmentin already tends to cause and can add to fatigue while your body fights an infection, so moderation or avoidance is the more comfortable choice until you finish the course.
What infections is Augmentin used for? Does it treat strep throat?
Augmentin's FDA-approved indications are lower respiratory tract infections, acute bacterial otitis media (ear infections), sinusitis, skin and skin-structure infections, and urinary tract infections — caused by beta-lactamase-producing bacteria specifically. It is also commonly prescribed for dental infections and animal/human bite wounds. Strep throat is not one of its labeled indications: Streptococcus pyogenes doesn't produce beta-lactamase, so plain amoxicillin (or penicillin) is the first-line choice, and adding clavulanate offers no real benefit for that infection — just extra GI side effects.
How long does it take for Augmentin to start working?
Many people notice symptom improvement within 48–72 hours, though this varies by infection type and severity. Finish the complete prescribed course even if you feel better early — stopping early is a common reason infections come back or don't fully clear, and it contributes to antibiotic resistance.
What is the generic name for Augmentin, and how much does it cost?
The generic name is amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (sometimes labeled amoxicillin-clavulanate). It's sold almost exclusively as a generic today — brand-name Augmentin tablets are rarely stocked, since the generic is chemically identical and far less expensive. See the price table below for typical cash-price ranges, and ask your Arrow Pharmacy pharmacist for a current quote before assuming your insurance copay is the cheapest option.
Sources
- Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium) — FDA-approved prescribing information (label) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium — FDA-approved prescribing information (generic label) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) — AMOX-CLAV 875-125 MG TABLET — CMS
- openFDA Drug Shortages — U.S. FDA
- Augmentin / amoxicillin-clavulanate price data (average retail cash price) — GoodRx (consumer price reference)