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Below are the general guidelines for dosing amoxicillin. Note that these dosages may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis for individual patients. Always follow your prescribing physician’s instructions for taking amoxicillin.

The following information comes from DailyMed, the official FDA label information provider for drugs.

What if I miss a dose of Amoxicillin?

If you miss a dose of amoxicillin, take it as soon as you can. If it’s almost time for your next dose, however, skip the missed dose and revert back to your regular schedule. Be sure not to double your doses.

What if I overdose on Amoxicillin?

as required. If the overdosage is very recent and there is no contraindication, an attempt at emesis or other means of removal of drug from the stomach may be performed. A prospective study of 51 pediatric patients at a poison-control center suggested that overdosages of less than 250 mg/kg of amoxicillin are not associated with significant clinical symptoms and do not require gastric emptying.3

Interstitial nephritis resulting in oliguric renal failure has been reported in a small number of patients after overdosage with amoxicillin.

Crystalluria, in some cases leading to renal failure, has also been reported after amoxicillin overdosage in adult and pediatric patients. In case of overdosage, adequate fluid intake and diuresis should be maintained to reduce the risk of amoxicillin crystalluria.

Renal impairment appears to be reversible with cessation of drug administration. High blood levels may occur more readily in patients with impaired renal function because of decreased renal clearance of amoxicillin. Amoxicillin may be removed from circulation by hemodialysis.

How is Amoxicillin administered?

400 mg suspension, 400 mg chewable tablet and the 875 mg tablet have been studied only when administered at the start of a light meal. However, food effect studies have not been performed with the 200 mg and 500 mg formulations.

Amoxicillin tablets, chewable should be chewed before swallowing

Neonates and Infants aged ≤ 12 weeks (≤ 3 months): Due to incompletely developed renal function affecting elimination of amoxicillin in this age group, the recommended upper dose of amoxicillin is 30 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours.

Adults and Pediatric Patients > 3 months

NOTE: This chart is not a complete guide and there are bacterial specific dosages for specific age groups not included. The dosing of this medication can vary significantly depending upon indication. Always follow your physicians instructions and be very careful when calculating doses for pediatric populations as these are labeled “per day” not per dose. (Ex. 25 mg/kg/day)

InfectionSeverityUsual Adult DoseUsual Dose for Children >3 months§ π
Ear/Nose/ThroatMild/Moderate500 mg every12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours
 Severe875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours
Lower Respiratory TractMild/Moderate or Severe875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours
Skin/Skin StructureMild/Moderate500 mg every12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours
 Severe875 mg every12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours
Genitourinary TractMild/Moderate500 mg every12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours
 Severe875 mg every12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours
Gonorrhea Acute, uncomplicated ano-genital and urethral infections in males and females 3 grams as single oral dosePrepubertal children: 50 mg/kg amoxicillin, combined with 25 mg/kg probenecid as a single dose.NOTE: SINCE PROBENECID IS CONTRAINDICATED IN CHILDREN UNDER 2 YEARS, DO NOT USE THIS REGIMEN IN THESE CASES.

 Dosing for infections caused by less susceptible organisms should follow the recommendations for severe infections.

§ The children’s dosage is intended for individuals whose weight is less than 40 kg. Children weighing 40 kg or more should be dosed according to the adult recommendations.

π Each strength of the suspension of amoxicillin is available as a chewable tablet for use by older children.

After reconstitution, the required amount of suspension should be placed directly on the child’s tongue for swallowing. Alternate means of administration are to add the required amount of suspension to formula, milk, fruit juice, water, ginger ale, or cold drinks. These preparations should then be taken immediately. To be certain the child is receiving full dosage, such preparations should be consumed in entirety.

All patients with gonorrhea should be evaluated for syphilis. (See PRECAUTIONS – Laboratory Tests.)

Larger doses may be required for stubborn or severe infections.

General: It should be recognized that in the treatment of chronic urinary tract infections, frequent bacteriological and clinical appraisals are necessary. Smaller doses than those recommended above should not be used. Even higher doses may be needed at times. In stubborn infections, therapy may be required for several weeks. It may be necessary to continue clinical and/or bacteriological follow-up for several months after cessation of therapy. Except for gonorrhea, treatment should be continued for a minimum of 48 to 72 hours beyond the time that the patient becomes asymptomatic or evidence of bacterial eradication has been obtained. It is recommended that there be at least 10 days’ treatment for any infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes to prevent the occurrence of acute rheumatic fever.

H. pylori Eradication to Reduce the Risk of Duodenal Ulcer Recurrence: Triple Therapy: Amoxicillin/clarithromycin/ lansoprazole

The recommended adult oral dose is 1 gram amoxicillin, 500 mg clarithromycin, and 30 mg lansoprazole, all given twice daily (q12h) for 14 days. (See INDICATIONS AND USAGE.)

Dual Therapy:Amoxicillin/lansoprazole

The recommended adult oral dose is 1 gram amoxicillin and 30 mg lansoprazole, each given three times daily (q8h) for 14 days. (See INDICATIONS AND USAGE.)

Please refer to clarithromycin and lansoprazole full prescribing information for CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS, and for information regarding dosing in elderly and renally impaired patients.

Dosing Recommendations for Adults with Impaired Renal Function: Patients with impaired renal function do not generally require a reduction in dose unless the impairment is severe. Severely impaired patients with a glomerular filtration rate of < 30 mL/minute should not receive the 875 mg tablet. Patients with a glomerular filtration rate of 10 to 30 mL/minute should receive 500 mg or 250 mg every 12 hours, depending on the severity of the infection. Patients with a less than 10 mL/minute glomerular filtration rate should receive 500 mg or 250 mg every 24 hours, depending on severity of the infection.

Hemodialysis patients should receive 500 mg or 250 mg every 24 hours, depending on severity of the infection. They should receive an additional dose both during and at the end of dialysis.

There are currently no dosing recommendations for pediatric patients with impaired renal function.

Directions for Mixing Oral Suspension: Prepare suspension at time of dispensing as follows: Tap bottle until all powder flows freely. Add approximately 1/3 of the total amount of water for reconstitution (see table below) and shake vigorously to wet powder. Add remainder of the water and again shake vigorously.

NOTE: Pay very close attention to concentrations of amoxicillin/ augmentin bottles as they will vary significantly example as shown below. Always measure out water significantly.

200 mg/5 mL

Bottle SizeAmount of Water Required for Reconstitution
  
50 mL33 mL
75 mL49 mL
100 mL66 mL

Each teaspoonful (5 mL) will contain 200 mg amoxicillin

400 mg/5 mL

Bottle SizeAmount of Water Required for Reconstitution
50 mL33 mL
75 mL49 mL
100 mL66 mL

Each teaspoonful (5 mL) will contain 400 mg amoxicillin.

How is Amoxicillin supplied?

Amoxicillin Capsules, USP:

Each capsule contains 250 mg or 500 mg amoxicillin as the trihydrate.

250 mg Capsule

250 mg yellow opaque cap and yellow opaque body, size 2, printed “RX654” on both cap and body.

NDC 63304-654-20 bottles of 20

NDC 63304-654-30 bottles of 30

NDC 63304-654-01 bottles of 100

NDC 63304-654-05 bottles of 500

NDC 63304-654-77 Unit-dose 100s

500 mg Capsule

500 mg maroon opaque cap and yellow opaque body, size 0-el, printed “RX655” on both cap and body.

NDC 63304-762-82 bottles of 12

NDC 63304-762-20 bottles of 20

NDC 63304-762-01 bottles of 100

NDC 63304-762-13 bottles of 120

NDC 63304-762-05 bottles of 500

Amoxicillin Tablets, USP:

Each tablet contains 500 mg or 875 mg amoxicillin as the trihydrate.

500 mg Tablet

500 mg pink colored, film coated, capsule shaped tablets; debossed with “RX762” on one side and plain on the other side.

NDC 63304-762-82 bottles of 12

NDC 63304-762-20 bottles of 20

NDC 63304-762-01 bottles of 100

NDC 63304-762-13 bottles of 120

NDC 63304-762-05 bottles of 500

875 mg Tablet

875 mg pink colored, film coated, capsule shaped tablets; debossed with “RX763” on one side and scored on reverse side.

NDC 63304-763-82 bottles of 12

NDC 63304-763-20 bottles of 20

NDC 63304-763-01 bottles of 100

NDC 63304-763-13 bottles of 120

NDC 63304-763-05 bottles of 500

Amoxicillin Chewable Tablets, USP:

Each chewable tablet contains 125 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg or 400 mg amoxicillin as the trihydrate.

125 mg Tablet

125 mg pink colored, strawberry flavored, oval biconvex tablets, with mottled appearance; debossed with “RX514” on one side.

NDC 63304-514-01 bottles of 100

NDC 63304-514-05 bottles of 500

200 mg Tablet

200 mg light pink colored, strawberry flavored, circular, flat faced, beveled edge tablets, with mottled appearance; debossed with “RX760” on one side.

NDC 63304-760-20 bottles of 20

NDC 63304-760-01 bottles of 100

NDC 63304-760-05 bottles of 500

250 mg Tablet

250 mg pink colored, strawberry flavored, circular, flat faced, beveled edge tablets, with mottled appearance; debossed with “RX515” on one side.

NDC 63304-515-30 bottles of 30

NDC 63304-515-01 bottles of 100

NDC 63304-515-04 bottles of 250

400 mg Tablet

400 mg light pink colored, strawberry flavored, circular, flat faced, beveled edge tablets, with mottled appearance; debossed with “RX716” on one side.

NDC 63304-761-20 bottles of 20

NDC 63304-761-01 bottles of 100

NDC 63304-761-05 bottles of 500

Amoxicillin For Oral Suspension USP is available in:

The 200 mg per 5 mL oral suspension* is off white to light orange granular powder forming a light orange to orange suspension on constitution with water. The resulting suspension has a characteristic fruity flavor and is available as follows:

NDC 63304-969-03 50 mL bottles

NDC 63304-969-01 75 mL bottles

NDC 63304-969-04 100 mL bottles

The 400 mg per 5 mL oral suspension* is off white to light orange granular powder forming a light orange to orange suspension* on constitution with water. The resulting suspension has a characteristic fruity flavor and is available as follows:

NDC 63304-970-03 50 mL bottle

NDC 63304-970-01 75 mL bottle

NDC 63304-970-04 100 mL bottle

*SHAKE ORAL SUSPENSION WELL BEFORE USING. Keep bottle tightly closed. Any unused portion of the reconstituted suspension must be discarded after 14 days. Refrigeration preferable, but not required.

Dispense in a tight container.

Store amoxicillin capsules 250 mg and 500 mg,  amoxicillin tablets 500 mg and 875 mg, amoxicillin chewable tablets 125 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg, and 400 mg and amoxicillin unreconstituted powder 200 mg/5 mL and 400 mg/5 mL at controlled room temperature 15° – 30° C (59° – 86° F) (see USP).

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.


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