Augmentin tablets are prescription-only oral antibiotic products containing amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Standard U.S. Augmentin tablets use an immediate-release formulation and contain two active components in specifically labeled strength pairs. The FDA identifies three conventional tablet strengths: 250 mg/125 mg, 500 mg/125 mg and 875 mg/125 mg. The first number represents amoxicillin, while the second represents clavulanic acid supplied as clavulanate potassium. These products are different from plain amoxicillin tablets, which do not contain clavulanate.
For patients comparing Augmentin tablet products, the important distinctions extend beyond the amoxicillin number printed on the package. Although all three conventional tablet strengths contain 125 mg of clavulanic acid, their amoxicillin quantities differ. Consequently, the tablets do not have identical ingredient ratios, and some combinations of lower-strength tablets cannot replace a higher-strength product. FDA labeling also distinguishes conventional Augmentin tablets from Augmentin XR extended-release tablets, chewable formulations and oral suspensions. These differences affect product identification and professional dispensing decisions, not just packaging terminology.
This guide compares the three conventional tablet strengths side by side, explains brand and generic product-label differences, and outlines practical U.S. pharmacy verification requirements. It does not recommend a tablet strength or treatment regimen. A clinician determines whether an antibiotic is appropriate, and a licensed pharmacy must verify the prescription before dispensing. Detailed information about individual strengths belongs on the dedicated 250/125 mg, 500/125 mg and 875/125 mg pages, while this hub focuses on understanding the immediate-release tablet family as a whole.
Standard Augmentin tablets are immediate-release oral products combining amoxicillin, a penicillin-class antibacterial, with clavulanate potassium, a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Amoxicillin acts against susceptible bacteria by interfering with bacterial cell-wall synthesis. Clavulanate inhibits certain beta-lactamase enzymes capable of inactivating amoxicillin. The combined formulation is intended for specified susceptible bacterial infections when its use is clinically appropriate.
The standard tablet family includes three strength pairs rather than a single universally interchangeable product. Each strength is identified by the amount of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in one tablet. This two-component naming convention is essential because the same amoxicillin quantity can appear in different products with different clavulanate content, especially when comparing conventional tablets with chewable tablets or oral suspensions.
Immediate-release describes the conventional tablet formulation and distinguishes it from the separately labeled extended-release Augmentin XR product. It does not establish how quickly an individual patient will experience improvement, nor does it imply that all Augmentin formulations have identical release characteristics. Release technology is a regulated product attribute that must be considered alongside strength and dosage form.
Augmentin is the proprietary brand identity, whereas amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium is the established ingredient name used for generic combination products. A pharmacy may dispense an appropriately approved generic when the prescription and applicable substitution rules permit it. The generic amoxicillin/clavulanate guide explains the wider combination-drug category, while the Augmentin brand overview covers the complete branded product family.
The FDA prescribing information identifies three conventional Augmentin tablet strengths: 250 mg/125 mg, 500 mg/125 mg and 875 mg/125 mg. Each contains amoxicillin as amoxicillin trihydrate and clavulanic acid supplied as clavulanate potassium. The clavulanate quantity is 125 mg in all three standard tablet presentations, while the amoxicillin quantity differs.
This creates an important distinction between total active-ingredient content and the ratio of the two components. The 250 mg/125 mg tablet has an amoxicillin-to-clavulanic-acid ratio of 2:1. The 500 mg/125 mg tablet has a 4:1 ratio, while the 875 mg/125 mg tablet has a 7:1 ratio. These ratios describe product composition; they do not indicate comparative clinical superiority or provide instructions for choosing a strength.
The conventional tablets also have FDA-described physical identifying characteristics. The July 2026 brand labeling identifies the 250 mg/125 mg and 500 mg/125 mg tablets as white, oval, film-coated tablets with strength-specific debossing. The 875 mg/125 mg presentation is a scored, white, capsule-shaped tablet with its own identifying imprint. Those characteristics apply to the described branded presentations and should not be generalized to every independently approved generic.
When comparing a prescription, pharmacy product listing or manufacturer package, the correct strength is the complete two-number pair rather than the amoxicillin amount alone. The dedicated strength pages provide further information about each presentation without turning this comparison into personalized dosing guidance.
| Conventional tablet | Amoxicillin per tablet | Clavulanic acid per tablet | Component ratio | FDA-described brand appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 mg/125 mg | 250 mg | 125 mg | 2:1 | White oval film-coated tablet; AUGMENTIN on one side and 250/125 on the other. |
| 500 mg/125 mg | 500 mg | 125 mg | 4:1 | White oval film-coated tablet; AUGMENTIN on one side and 500/125 on the other. |
| 875 mg/125 mg | 875 mg | 125 mg | 7:1 | Scored white capsule-shaped tablet; AUGMENTIN 875 on one side and a score on the other. |
The 250 mg/125 mg conventional tablet contains the lowest amoxicillin quantity among the three standard tablet strengths while retaining 125 mg of clavulanic acid. This distinguishes it from the 250 mg/62.5 mg chewable tablet, which has a different component ratio. The Augmentin 250/125 mg tablet guide examines its specific labeling and identification characteristics.
The 500 mg/125 mg conventional tablet contains twice the amoxicillin quantity of the 250 mg/125 mg tablet but the same amount of clavulanate. Consequently, two 250 mg/125 mg tablets cannot directly replace one 500 mg/125 mg tablet. Product-specific labeling and identification information is covered in the Augmentin 500/125 mg tablet guide.
The 875 mg/125 mg conventional tablet contains the largest amoxicillin quantity among the three immediate-release tablet strengths. It is distinct from plain amoxicillin 875 mg and from Augmentin XR. The Augmentin 875/125 mg tablet guide provides its detailed product profile.
These presentations share the immediate-release tablet format and two active ingredients, but their different component ratios matter for prescription verification and dispensing. The existence of multiple strengths does not provide a basis for patients to change a prescribed regimen.
Augmentin tablet strengths cannot be treated as interchangeable based solely on the number of milligrams of amoxicillin. The FDA specifically warns that two conventional 250 mg/125 mg tablets must not be substituted for one conventional 500 mg/125 mg tablet. Although both comparisons involve 500 mg of amoxicillin in total, two lower-strength tablets contain 250 mg of clavulanic acid, compared with 125 mg in the single 500 mg/125 mg tablet.
The same principle applies when comparing conventional tablets with other dosage forms. A 250 mg/125 mg tablet and a 250 mg/62.5 mg chewable tablet contain the same amoxicillin quantity but different clavulanate quantities. The FDA identifies these presentations as non-substitutable. Matching the amoxicillin figure alone is insufficient to establish an appropriate formulation substitution.
Section 2.8 and Table 6 of the July 2026 FDA prescribing information identify specific formulation-switching relationships. No equivalent oral suspension or chewable strength is listed for the conventional 250 mg/125 mg tablet. For the conventional 500 mg/125 mg tablet, the table identifies 125 mg/31.25 mg and 250 mg/62.5 mg oral suspension or chewable presentations. For the conventional 875 mg/125 mg tablet, it identifies 200 mg/28.5 mg and 400 mg/57 mg presentations. These are strength-family correspondences used in professionally managed formulation changes, not one-unit-for-one-unit substitution instructions.
The FDA also specifies patient-population restrictions. Chewable tablets may be used as substitutes only in pediatric patients weighing less than 40 kg, while conventional Augmentin tablets should not be used in patients below that weight. The applicable quantity, patient characteristics and labeling requirements must be considered when a clinician or pharmacist evaluates a formulation change. Augmentin XR and Augmentin ES-600 have separate restrictions and are not interchangeable with conventional immediate-release tablets merely because they contain the same active ingredients.
A patient should therefore verify both numbers in the prescribed strength pair and seek pharmacist or prescriber clarification when a supplied product differs from the prescription. FDA-recognized formulation-switching relationships do not authorize self-directed changes, combining leftover tablets or estimating liquid doses from tablet strengths.
| Product comparison | Relevant formulation fact | FDA labeling implication |
|---|---|---|
| Two 250 mg/125 mg tablets vs one 500 mg/125 mg tablet | Both provide 500 mg total amoxicillin, but the two-tablet combination contains 250 mg rather than 125 mg clavulanic acid. | The FDA identifies these presentations as not substitutable. |
| 250 mg/125 mg conventional tablet vs 250 mg/62.5 mg chewable tablet | The two products have the same amoxicillin quantity but different clavulanate quantities. | The FDA identifies these presentations as not substitutable; Table 6 lists no equivalent chewable or suspension strength for the 250 mg/125 mg tablet. |
| 500 mg/125 mg conventional tablet vs specified suspension or chewable strengths | FDA Table 6 identifies the 125 mg/31.25 mg and 250 mg/62.5 mg strength families. | These are formulation-switching correspondences subject to appropriate quantity selection, patient-population restrictions and professional review. |
| 875 mg/125 mg conventional tablet vs specified suspension or chewable strengths | FDA Table 6 identifies the 200 mg/28.5 mg and 400 mg/57 mg strength families. | These are formulation-switching correspondences, not automatic one-unit substitutions or patient dosing instructions. |
| Conventional Augmentin tablet vs Augmentin XR | XR provides extended amoxicillin exposure and has distinct component strengths and release characteristics. | XR is not substitutable with conventional immediate-release formulations merely by matching amoxicillin totals. |
Branded Augmentin tablets and approved generic amoxicillin/clavulanate tablets may share the same active ingredients, dosage form and strength pair. However, their package labeling, manufacturer or labeler names, inactive ingredients and physical tablet appearance may differ. The absence of the Augmentin imprint on a generic tablet does not, by itself, establish that the product is incorrect or unapproved.
An independently approved generic is generally authorized through an FDA Abbreviated New Drug Application, or ANDA. The generic approval process requires compliance with applicable standards, including requirements associated with the relevant reference drug. FDA therapeutic-equivalence evaluations help determine which approved products are considered therapeutically equivalent under the agency's criteria.
The FDA Orange Book can be used to investigate the approval status of a particular generic product and its relationship to a reference listed drug. A product's approval record is not the same as its retail availability, and a generic appearing in a historical approval listing should not automatically be assumed to be currently manufactured or stocked at a particular pharmacy.
An authorized generic is a separate regulatory category: a brand-name drug marketed without the brand name under the brand's approved NDA. A pharmacy package using the established amoxicillin/clavulanate name is therefore not necessarily an independently approved ANDA generic. Product-specific records are needed to identify the applicable regulatory category.
The appropriate comparison is between the particular approved products, not an assumption that every tablet described as generic Augmentin is identical in every respect. The Augmentin vs generic comparison examines this distinction more closely, while the FDA-approved Augmentin products guide addresses the regulatory approval and therapeutic-equivalence framework.
The FDA's July 2026 prescribing information identifies the conventional branded Augmentin 250 mg/125 mg and 500 mg/125 mg tablets as white, oval, film-coated tablets with AUGMENTIN debossed on one side and the corresponding strength marking on the other. The 875 mg/125 mg branded tablet is white, capsule-shaped and scored, with AUGMENTIN 875 on one side. These descriptions concern the specified branded products rather than every approved generic.
Generic amoxicillin/clavulanate tablets may differ in color, shape, imprint, inactive ingredients and packaging while meeting applicable FDA approval requirements. Such differences do not independently indicate inferior quality or incorrect dispensing. Product identity should be established through the actual pharmacy label, approved product information and pharmacist confirmation.
The dispensing label should identify the medication and its complete strength pair, dosage form and prescribed directions. Manufacturer or labeler details and the National Drug Code can provide further product-identification information. An NDC is not, by itself, evidence of FDA approval, authenticity, current pharmacy stock or suitability for an individual patient.
If a supplied tablet differs from the expected appearance or the prescription information appears inconsistent, the patient should contact the dispensing pharmacist before taking an uncertain product. Online pill photographs and historical packaging images should not replace verification of the actual medicine.
For more detailed packaging, imprint and labeler verification, see the Augmentin product authenticity guide. This tablet hub focuses on FDA-labeled product characteristics rather than maintaining a manufacturer-specific identification directory.
Conventional Augmentin tablets represent only one part of the broader amoxicillin/clavulanate product family. Chewable tablets and oral suspensions have distinct labeled strength pairs and dosage-form characteristics. Augmentin XR adds an extended-release tablet formulation, while Augmentin ES-600 is a specialized oral suspension. These related products should not be collapsed into a single tablet category.
Chewable Augmentin tablets include strengths with clavulanate amounts that differ from those in conventional tablets. The 250 mg/62.5 mg chewable presentation illustrates why the amoxicillin number alone cannot determine product equivalence. The dedicated Augmentin chewable tablets guide covers the chewable formulations and their labeling distinctions.
Augmentin oral suspensions are supplied as powders that are reconstituted before administration. The concentration is expressed as a specified amount of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid per 5 mL of prepared liquid. Pharmacy verification must therefore account for the concentration and preparation instructions rather than comparing a volume directly with a conventional tablet count. The Augmentin suspension guide addresses these liquid-product details.
Augmentin XR contains 1,000 mg of amoxicillin and 62.5 mg of clavulanic acid per extended-release tablet. Its release characteristics distinguish it from the conventional 250/125, 500/125 and 875/125 mg immediate-release products. The FDA specifically states that two conventional 500 mg tablets are not equivalent to one Augmentin XR 1,000 mg tablet. The Augmentin XR guide explains the separately labeled extended-release product.
Augmentin ES-600 contains 600 mg of amoxicillin and 42.9 mg of clavulanic acid per 5 mL after reconstitution. It is not an immediate-release tablet and has distinct pediatric labeling. The Augmentin ES-600 guide covers that formulation without treating it as an alternative strength of the conventional tablet family.
The FDA prescribing information identifies conventional Augmentin tablets for certain infections caused by designated susceptible organisms, including specified lower respiratory tract infections, acute bacterial sinusitis, acute bacterial otitis media, skin and skin structure infections, and urinary tract infections. The current labeling identifies conventional tablets for adults and pediatric patients weighing 40 kg or more who can swallow tablets.
An FDA-labeled indication does not mean that Augmentin is required or preferred whenever a patient receives a diagnosis within one of those categories. Many respiratory illnesses are viral, some bacterial infections can be treated with narrower-spectrum antibiotics, and local resistance patterns may affect the clinician's decision. The appropriateness of the combination depends on clinical findings and the likelihood or confirmation of susceptible bacterial pathogens.
The existence of three conventional tablet strengths does not provide a basis for choosing one without medical assessment. Strength and administration decisions depend on the infection and relevant patient characteristics, and may be affected by renal function, allergy history and other factors. This product-identification guide intentionally does not reproduce individualized dosing recommendations.
Augmentin tablets are prescription-only in the United States. A patient needs a valid prescription, and a licensed pharmacy must comply with applicable dispensing requirements. A pharmacy listing cannot guarantee clinical approval, stock or an appropriate substitution. Patients should not begin treatment using leftover tablets or a strength obtained for a previous infection.
Questions about obtaining legitimate treatment and subsequent pharmacy dispensing are addressed separately in the Augmentin online prescription guide and the U.S. Augmentin buying guide.
A legitimate pharmacy transaction begins with a valid prescription identifying the intended antibacterial product. When a prescription specifies Augmentin tablets, the pharmacist must determine the appropriate product and whether any generic substitution is permitted. A displayed product name or automated pharmacy search result does not establish that the correct tablet is available for dispensing.
The most important product check is the complete strength pair. For conventional tablets, this means confirming 250 mg/125 mg, 500 mg/125 mg or 875 mg/125 mg, as applicable. Both quantities matter because different combination products may contain the same amoxicillin amount but different clavulanate amounts. The dosage form must also match the prescription and any permitted substitution.
The pharmacy should be able to identify the supplied brand or generic product, its manufacturer or labeler, relevant package information and NDC where applicable. A manufacturer-specific NDC may help reconcile a product with its published labeling. However, an NDC listing does not independently prove current stock, authenticity, FDA approval or suitability for a specific patient.
Brand-name inventory and generic availability should be verified separately when that distinction matters. A pharmacy may have an approved generic while lacking a particular branded package. Whether an alternative can be dispensed depends on the prescription, applicable therapeutic-equivalence information and state pharmacy requirements. Patients should not assume that a pharmacist may replace a prescribed product with any combination tablet bearing the same established ingredients.
If the dispensed tablet looks different from a previously used product, the correct response is to ask the pharmacist to reconcile the strength, product identity and directions. Patients should not rely on an online photograph to resolve an uncertain medicine. The licensed dispensing pharmacy is the appropriate point of contact for confirmation.
| Verification item | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription | Valid prescription and exact intended medication | Augmentin is a prescription-only antibacterial drug. |
| Tablet strength | 250 mg/125 mg, 500 mg/125 mg or 875 mg/125 mg, as prescribed | Both active-component quantities establish the strength pair. |
| Dosage form | Conventional immediate-release oral tablet | Distinguishes the product from XR, chewable tablets and liquid formulations. |
| Brand or generic | Proprietary name, established name and actual dispensed product | A generic listing does not establish that a branded package was supplied. |
| Manufacturer or labeler | Actual company and relevant product label | Helps distinguish approved products and repackaged presentations. |
| NDC and package | Package-specific identifiers when available | Supports product identification but does not prove current inventory. |
| Substitution status | Applicable prescription restrictions and therapeutic-equivalence requirements | Prevents assumptions about unrestricted replacement. |
Augmentin tablets contain a penicillin-class antibacterial and require attention to the warnings and contraindications in the applicable FDA-approved labeling. The prescribing information contraindicates use in patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions to Augmentin or other beta-lactam antibacterial drugs and in those with previous Augmentin-associated cholestatic jaundice or hepatic dysfunction.
Common adverse effects can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and skin reactions. The FDA label also describes serious risks such as severe allergic reactions, severe cutaneous adverse reactions, liver injury and Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea. Sudden breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling or other signs of anaphylaxis require emergency medical attention.
Medication history and patient characteristics can influence treatment decisions. The labeling discusses interactions or precautions involving medications such as probenecid, oral anticoagulants and allopurinol. Renal function and other clinical considerations may also affect prescribing. The appropriate tablet strength cannot be determined from a product comparison table alone.
Responsible antibiotic use means taking medication according to a clinician's directions, not sharing prescriptions and not saving unused tablets for future self-treatment. A different episode of illness may have a different cause or require different management. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as influenza or the common cold, and unnecessary use contributes to antimicrobial resistance.
Readers with concerns about penicillin hypersensitivity can review the penicillin allergy guide. The present page explains product identity and important safety boundaries rather than providing individual medical advice.
Augmentin tablet listings can differ according to whether they describe a branded product, an independently approved generic or another authorized product presentation. Pharmacy catalogs may also show historical packages, multiple strengths or manufacturer-specific products under a common search heading. None of these listing practices guarantees that a particular product is currently available at a selected pharmacy.
Brand and generic products can have different out-of-pocket costs. Actual prices depend on the prescribed strength, quantity, product, pharmacy, insurance benefits and any applicable discounts. A displayed price for 500 mg/125 mg generic tablets should not be assumed to apply to 875 mg/125 mg branded tablets or another dosage form.
Patients who require a particular brand or generic presentation should ask the dispensing pharmacy to verify current stock and applicable prescription requirements. If the originally specified product cannot be supplied, the pharmacist can explain whether another approved product is legally and clinically appropriate or whether prescriber authorization is necessary.
The dedicated Augmentin price guide addresses brand-pricing questions, while generic amoxicillin/clavulanate pricing covers generic cost comparisons. This tablet hub intentionally avoids unsourced retail offers or promises about pharmacy supply, insurance coverage or delivery.
Augmentin tablets are prescription-only oral antibiotic products containing amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Standard Augmentin tablets are immediate-release formulations used for specified infections caused by susceptible bacteria when a healthcare professional determines that treatment is appropriate.
The July 2026 FDA prescribing information identifies three conventional immediate-release Augmentin tablet strengths: 250 mg/125 mg, 500 mg/125 mg and 875 mg/125 mg. The first number refers to amoxicillin, while the second refers to clavulanic acid supplied as clavulanate potassium.
It means that one tablet contains 875 mg of amoxicillin and 125 mg of clavulanic acid, supplied as clavulanate potassium. The two numbers identify different active components rather than alternative ways of describing one total strength.
They are not freely interchangeable. All three contain 125 mg of clavulanic acid, but their amoxicillin quantities differ. The FDA specifically warns that two 250 mg/125 mg tablets are not an acceptable direct substitute for one 500 mg/125 mg tablet because the clavulanate total would be different.
No. A conventional Augmentin 500 mg/125 mg tablet contains amoxicillin plus clavulanate. A plain amoxicillin 500 mg tablet contains amoxicillin without clavulanate. The medicines have different ingredient compositions and should not be exchanged without professional assessment.
Yes. The FDA-labeled conventional 250 mg/125 mg, 500 mg/125 mg and 875 mg/125 mg tablets each contain 125 mg of clavulanic acid. Their amoxicillin quantities differ, producing different ingredient ratios and important formulation distinctions.
No. Two 250 mg/125 mg tablets contain a combined 500 mg of amoxicillin and 250 mg of clavulanic acid. One 500 mg/125 mg tablet contains 500 mg of amoxicillin and only 125 mg of clavulanic acid. The FDA explicitly identifies these presentations as not substitutable.
No. Standard Augmentin tablets are immediate-release products. Augmentin XR is a separate extended-release formulation containing 1,000 mg of amoxicillin and 62.5 mg of clavulanic acid per tablet. The products are not interchangeable simply because their active ingredients are the same.
Conventional tablets and chewable tablets are different dosage forms and can have different amoxicillin-to-clavulanate ratios. For example, the conventional 250 mg/125 mg tablet contains twice as much clavulanate as the 250 mg/62.5 mg chewable tablet. The FDA identifies those two products as not substitutable.
An appropriately FDA-approved generic amoxicillin/clavulanate tablet contains the same active ingredients and matching strength as its applicable reference product. Its appearance, inactive ingredients, labeler and packaging may differ within regulatory requirements. Therapeutic equivalence must be evaluated for the specific approved product.
Not necessarily. Approved generic tablets may have different shapes, colors or imprints from the branded reference product. The actual tablet should be identified using its dispensing label, product information and pharmacist confirmation rather than appearance alone.
The July 2026 FDA label describes the 250 mg/125 mg and 500 mg/125 mg brand tablets as white oval film-coated tablets with AUGMENTIN and strength-specific markings. The 875 mg/125 mg brand tablet is a scored, white capsule-shaped tablet marked AUGMENTIN 875. Generic products may have different appearances.
The FDA describes the branded 875 mg/125 mg conventional tablet as scored, but a score does not by itself establish that splitting is appropriate for an individual's prescription. Patients should follow the prescribed instructions and ask their pharmacist before changing how a tablet is administered.
No. Augmentin tablets are prescription-only antibacterial drugs in the United States. A legitimate pharmacy must follow applicable prescription and dispensing requirements. Online offers suggesting unrestricted prescription-free access should not be treated as evidence of lawful or safe availability.
An appropriately approved generic may be dispensed when the specific product is suitable for the prescription and substitution is permitted under applicable law. The pharmacist must consider the strength pair, dosage form, relevant therapeutic-equivalence information and prescription restrictions.
Check the container label for the complete drug name, strength pair and dosage form. Ask the pharmacist to confirm the manufacturer or labeler, tablet identification and NDC where applicable. A retail search result or product photograph does not establish what was actually dispensed.
No. FDA approval establishes regulatory product status, not current pharmacy inventory. Brand availability may differ by strength, package and location. The dispensing pharmacy must confirm whether the exact prescribed product can be supplied.
No. Augmentin is indicated for specified infections caused by susceptible bacteria, but it is not universally necessary or preferred. Treatment selection depends on the infection, susceptibility information, clinical findings and patient factors. It does not treat viral illnesses such as influenza or the common cold.
Augmentin contains amoxicillin, a penicillin-class antibacterial. Its FDA labeling contraindicates use in patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions to Augmentin or other beta-lactam antibacterial drugs. A reported penicillin allergy requires professional clinical assessment before prescribing.