The important difference is that Augmentin contains a second active ingredient that makes it more effective against antibiotic-resistant infections.
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Which Is More Effective?
Both Augmentin and amoxicillin are effective treatments for a wide range of bacterial infections.
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Amoxicillin is often prescribed for common infections like those that cause ear, nose, and throat infections.
Augmentin is usually reserved for harder-to-treat infections, such as those sparked by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
Augmentin has a slight edge over amoxicillin because it contains clavulanate to help fight antibiotic-resistant infections.
Verywell / JR Bee
But that doesn’t necessarily mean it is always the most effective treatment for your condition.
They will prescribe the best medicine for treating the specific bacteria causing your illness.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is often the first antibiotic prescribed forcommon bacterial infections.
Uses
Amoxicillin is prescribed for bacteria that cause illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Side Effects
The side effects of amoxicillin tend to be relatively mild.
This is another reason it’s often prescribed for kids.
The most common ones include:
Nausea andvomitingcan occur but are much more common with Augmentin.
These can become life-threateninganaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction requiring immediate care for which you should call 911.
Augmentin
Augmentin is amoxicillin combined with abeta-lactamaseinhibitor called clavulanate.
Clavulanate blocks the enzymes that contribute to antibiotic resistance.
This is why Augmentin is referred to as a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
Amoxicillin also may affect certain urine tests for glucose.
Drug Interactions
Certain medications have the potential to interact with antibiotics.
Tell your healthcare provider about any vitamins and other supplements you take, too.
With a “narrow-spectrum” antibiotic like amoxicillin, the consequence may be less severe.
When this happens, a few mutated bacteria may survive.
Some of these may be naturally resistant to the antibiotic you were taking.
How to Avoid Antibiotic Resistance
Summary
Amoxicillin and Augmentin are commonly prescribed antibiotics.
Each is good at treating certain kinds of infections.
It’s also about the safety, efficacy, and appropriateness of treatment.
Amoxicillin and Augmentin are commonly prescribed antibiotics.
Each is good at treating certain kinds of infections.
A few infections can be treated with either drug.
It’s also about the safety, efficacy, and appropriateness of treatment.
A Word From Verywell
Augmentin and amoxicillin are both antibiotics with the same active ingredient: amoxicillin.
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Amoxil, Moxatag (amoxicillin) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more.
Augmentin, Augmentin XR (amoxicillin/clavulanate) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more.
