How Do Doctors Determine the Best Amoxicillin Clavulanate Dosage?

Amoxicillin clavulanate refers to a combination of the antibiotics amoxicillin and clavulanate, used to treat an array of bacterial infections. Many times, a doctor will calculate a precise amoxicillin clavulanate dosage suitable for an individual patient's case. Doses are usually dependent on the type of condition being treated, but other factors, such as age, weight, and medical condition may influence the amount of medication used, as well.

Pneumonia, a respiratory infection, may be treated with this drug. Adults often use an amoxicillin clavulanate dosage of 500 milligrams (mg), taken three times a day, or 875 mg taken twice a day. Children weighing less than 88 pounds (40 kilograms) may receive a dose of 6.67 to 13.33 mg for every 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) of body weight, three times per day. Those children that weigh above 88 pounds (44 kilograms) generally use a dosage the same as that of adults.

Another fairly common condition to be treated with this drug combination is a urinary tract infection (UTI). Usually, doctors use an amoxicillin clavulanate dosage lower than that used for pneumonia in the even of a UTI. Doses of around 250 mg, taken every eight hours, are usually used for this purpose in adults. Severe infections, however, may require doses as high as 500 mg taken three times a day. Depending on the seriousness of the infection, this medication regimen may be taken for anywhere between three and seven days.

Children with a UTI may receive this medication regimen after evaluation by a doctor. In these cases, doctors may recommend an amoxicillin clavulanate dosage similar to that used in a pneumonia case. Generally, 6.67 mg to 13.33 mg amounts for each 2.2 pounds (1 kg) of body weight can be used, with higher doses being administered when the infection is more severe.

Medical conditions that are unrelated to the infection being treated can still influence the amoxicillin clavulanate dosage that is administered by doctors. Kidney damage can decrease the rate at which an individual can remove this drug from the body, so doctors treating people with these conditions may lower the medication dosage. Individuals with kidney problems often only take 250 mg to 500 mg just twice a day, instead of three times a day, for many infections. More extensive kidney damage may require that doses of 250 mg to 500 mg are given just once a day.