Used to treat bacterial infections, amoxicillin, and augmentin are both antibiotics that are a part of the penicillin drug class.
If amoxicillin and augmentin are both prescribed to treat bacterial infections, what makes them different from each other?
Well, apart from containing amoxicillin, augmentin also contains a second active ingredient.
So does this make it a better option than amoxicillin when it comes to treating these infections?
Not necessarily. Each one of them may be more suitable to treat different types of infections.
In this post, we will cover all you need to know about amoxicillin vs. augmentin and more.
It is also important to note that while these antibiotics are used as first-line medicines to fight bacterial infections, they can not be used to treat viral infections such as flu and common cold.
Before we move on to discuss all about amoxicillin vs. augmentin, let’s first have a look at what these medicines are.
Amoxicillin
A lot of you might be familiar with amoxicillin as it is usually the first drug prescribed to you when you visit a doctor with a bacterial infection.
Suitable for both children and adults, it is most often used to treat children as it tends to have mild side effects.
It works well against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria which makes it a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
So when would your doctor prescribe you amoxicillin?
It can be used to treat the following infections:
- Tonsillitis
- Ear infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Respiratory infections such as pneumonia
- Sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis and chlamydia
- Skin infections
Augmentin
Along with containing amoxicillin, augmentin contains a second active ingredient known as clavulanate or clavulanic acid.
Now you might be wondering when amoxicillin can treat bacterial infections, Why add clavulanic acid or clavulanate to it?
This is because infectious bacteria produce beta-lactamase enzymes that help them become resistant to antibiotics over time.
Clavulanic acid, on the other hand, contains beta-lactamase blockers or inhibitors which work by inhibiting the enzymes produced by these bacteria thus making them less resistant to the use of antibiotics.
Therefore, augmentin may be more suitable to treat bacterial infections that have become resistant to standard antibiotics.
Here’s when your doctor would prescribe you augmentin which is also considered an extended-spectrum antibiotic due to clavulanic acid.
- Stubborn skin infections
- Sinus infections
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related bacterial infections
- Severe or chronic ear infections
- Laryngitis which is the inflammation of the Larynx
- Pharyngitis which is the inflammation of mucous membranes of the Pharynx
- Diabetic foot
Amoxicillin Vs. Augmentin
Here's how you can better understand amoxicillin vs. augmentin.
|
Aspect |
Amoxicillin |
Augmentin |
|
Drug Class |
Penicillin |
Penicillin |
|
Composition |
Standalone antibiotic |
Amoxicillin and clavulanate or clavulanic acid |
|
Spectrum of Activity |
Broad spectrum |
Extended-spectrum |
|
Standard Dosage |
500 mg every 12 hours; 250 mg every 8 hours. May vary based on your doctor’s instructions and the infection being treated |
875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours May vary based on your doctor’s instructions and the infection being treated |
|
Duration of treatment |
7-10 days May vary based on the infection being treated |
10 days May vary based on the infection being treated |
|
Side effects |
|
|
|
Suitable for |
Infants, children, and adults |
Infants, children, and adults |
Table 1
Over-Lapping Side-effects of Amoxicillin and Augmentin
While we have discussed amoxicillin vs. augmentin, certain side effects are common to both antibiotics.
These include:
- Excessive bruising
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rashes
- Dysentery or bloody diarrhea
- Increased risk of yeast infections
- Inhibiting the healthy growth of intestinal bacteria
- Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction)
What Is Antibiotic Resistance?
Antibiotic resistance takes place when bacteria develop resistance against antibiotics that are designed to eradicate or kill them.
This means that the next time you use a certain antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection, it will no longer be as effective as it used to be as the bacteria had the time to multiply and has now developed into the dominant strain.
How To Avoid It?
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Ways to avoid antibiotic resistance: |
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Table 2
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Summary
It’s now time to sum up our discussion on augmentin vs. amoxicillin.
While there are some notable differences between amoxicillin and augmentin, they are both quite similar and are prescribed to treat a wide range of bacterial infections.
Your doctor may prescribe you augmentin if they believe that your infection may be resistant to amoxicillin. For other infections, amoxicillin may be used alone.
This is what stands to be the key difference when it comes to augmentin vs. amoxicillin.
While there are mild side effects and these antibiotics are accepted well by the body, it is important to consult your doctor if you face any issues while using the medicine.
It is also important to stick to the doctor’s instructions for effective treatment and best results.