Amoxicillin vs Augmentin: Difference and Comparison

Amoxicillin and Augmentin are antibiotics used for treating several bacterial infections and belong to the drug class of penicillin.

Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic that helps in treating several bacterial infections by stopping the growth of the bacteria, whereas Augmentin is a prescription antibiotic which is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

Let us know about the differences between the two in detail.

Key Takeaways

  1. Amoxicillin is a standalone penicillin antibiotic, while Augmentin combines amoxicillin with clavulanic acid.
  2. Clavulanic acid in Augmentin enhances amoxicillin’s effectiveness against bacteria that produce beta-lactamase enzymes.
  3. Augmentin treats a broader range of bacterial infections compared to amoxicillin alone.

Amoxicillin vs Augmentin

The difference between amoxicillin and augmentin is that the former is a very common type of antibiotic that is good and cheap and used for treating several bacterial infections. The latter is preferred for the most common types of infections and combines amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

Amoxicillin vs Augmentin

Amoxicillin belongs to the class of medication, penicillin antibiotics, which works by stopping bacterial growth.

It can be used for treating several infections such as bronchitis, skin infections and other infections like ear, nose, throat, urinary tract etc. Amoxicillin, in combination with other medications, is also very useful and effective.

Augmentin is a penicillin-type of antibiotic which is used for treating several infections, such as infections related to the lungs and urinary tract. It comes as a combination of two other antibiotics: amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison  Amoxicillin Augmentin 
Type  It is a penicillin type antibiotic which helps in fighting bacteria It is also a penicillin type antibiotic but comes in a combination form 
Definition  Very commonly used antibiotic for treating bacterial infections It comes as a combination type antibiotic (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid) 
Best for treatment of Amoxicillin is very good for treating bacterial infections such as ear infections, pneumonia etc  It helps in treating sinus, any type of skin infections, bronchitis and urinary tract infections as well.  
Dosage  
(must follow doctor’s prescription)
It is suggested to take 500 mg of amoxicillin every 12 hours or according to the direction given by doctor. For an adult, it is preferable to take 500 mg tablet every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours. But it is best to do according to the directions given by doctor. 
Side effects The side effects can be different depending upon person to person. Some of the side effects are nausea, vomiting, headache etc. The side effects of taking Augmentin could be abdominal pain, rashes, bloody diarrhoea etc 

What is Amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic that consists of bacteria belonging to broad-spectrum. These bacteria act against both grams of positive and negative microorganisms.

It is a type of penicillin that helps in treating bacterial infections, if you are taking the antibiotic correctly according to the prescription, then you will start feeling better after some days of taking amoxicillin.

The medication can be used for treating a number of infections, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and other infections related to the ear, nose etc.

Amoxicillin is also prescribed before any surgery to avoid infection. It is important to remember that the medicine must be taken only according to the directions given by your doctor otherwise, it can lead to harmful side effects as well.

Amoxicillin comes in a capsule, which should be taken according to the doctor’s prescription. It is important to keep these capsules at room temperature and remember to keep them away from heat and moisture.

Amoxicillin is prone to degradation by beta-lactamase, which is an enzyme produced by bacteria thus, the spectrum of activity doesn’t include an organism that is known to produce these enzymes.

What is Augmentin?

Augmentin is known to fight bacteria in the body. It comes with a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

In this combination, amoxicillin, a penicillin antibiotic, helps fight bacteria and the acid, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, helps prevent bacteria from becoming amoxicillin resistant.

This antibiotic is a prescription antibiotic which is used for treating several infections. But it is not considered good for any person who is suffering from kidney or liver diseases.

The antibiotic should be taken according to the prescription by the doctor. It should be taken at the start of the meal in most cases.

Sometimes after taking augmentin, you can spot an allergic reaction in your body, in such cases, immediately consult your doctor. There could be conditions like severe skin reaction, fever, burning eyes, sore throat etc.

augmentin

Main Differences Between Amoxicillin and Augmentin

  1. Amoxicillin is a standalone antibiotic, whereas augmentin comes in a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. 
  2. Doctors recommend amoxicillin when the illness-causing organism is not known, but augmentin is recommended to patients whose cause of infection is known.  
  3. Amoxicillin is used for treating bacterial infections like ear or throat infections, whereas augmentin is used for treating sinus infections and infections related to the urinary tract. 
  4. The two antibiotics belong to penicillin-type antibiotics but can have different side effects on different people. 
  5. Amoxicillin is useful in treating gonorrhoea, and augmentin helps in the treatment of bronchitis.
References
  1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00003495-200363030-00005
  2. https://journals.asm.org/doi/abs/10.1128/AAC.22.5.753

Last Updated : 11 June, 2023

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14 thoughts on “Amoxicillin vs Augmentin: Difference and Comparison”

  1. Amoxicillin and Augmentin are used for treating bacterial infections, with Amoxicillin being a standalone antibiotic and Augmentin being a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

    Reply
  2. This article provides a detailed comparison of Amoxicillin and Augmentin, with information on the uses of both antibiotics and their side effects.

    Reply
  3. Amoxicillin and Augmentin are both antibiotics, with Amoxicillin being a standalone penicillin antibiotic, and Augmentin being a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

    Reply
    • Yes, the combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid enhances its effectiveness against bacteria that produce beta-lactamase enzymes.

      Reply
  4. Amoxicillin and Augmentin are both penicillin-type antibiotics, Amoxicillin being used for treating infections like bronchitis and skin infections, and Augmentin for treating lung and urinary infections.

    Reply
    • It is important to follow the doctor’s prescription when taking these antibiotics to avoid any complications.

      Reply
  5. Amoxicillin and Augmentin are antibiotics used for treating bacterial infections, with Amoxicillin being standalone, and Augmentin combining amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

    Reply
  6. Amoxicillin and Augmentin are two different antibiotics, with Amoxicillin being a common type of antibiotic for treating bacterial infections, and Augmentin coming in combination form.

    Reply
    • It is important to remember to take antibiotics according to the directions given by your doctor to avoid harmful side effects.

      Reply
  7. Amoxicillin and Augmentin are antibiotics used for treating bacterial infections, with Amoxicillin being a standalone penicillin antibiotic, and Augmentin being a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

    Reply

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