DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
AUGMENTIN XR should be taken at the start of a meal to enhance
the absorption of amoxicillin and to minimize the potential for gastrointestinal
intolerance. Absorption of the amoxicillin component is decreased when AUGMENTIN
XR is taken on an empty stomach (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).
The recommended dose of AUGMENTIN XR is 4,000 mg/250 mg daily according to
the following table:
Indication
|
Dose
|
Duration
|
Acute bacterial sinusitis |
2 tablets q12h |
10 days |
Community-acquired
pneumonia |
2 tablets q12h |
7-10
days |
Tablets of AUGMENTIN (250 mg or 500 mg) CANNOT be used to
provide the same dosages as AUGMENTIN XR Extended Release Tablets. This is
because AUGMENTIN XR contains 62.5 mg of clavulanic acid, while the AUGMENTIN
250-mg and 500-mg tablets each contain 125 mg of clavulanic acid. In addition,
the Extended Release Tablet provides an extended time course of plasma
amoxicillin concentrations compared to immediate-release Tablets. Thus, two
AUGMENTIN 500-mg tablets are not equivalent to one AUGMENTIN XR tablet.
Scored AUGMENTIN XR Extended Release Tablets are available for greater
convenience for adult patients who have difficulty swallowing. The scored tablet
is not intended to reduce the dosage of medication taken; as stated in the table
above, the recommended dose of AUGMENTIN XR is two tablets twice a day (every 12
hours).
Renally Impaired Patients
The pharmacokinetics of AUGMENTIN XR have not been studied in
patients with renal impairment. AUGMENTIN XR is contraindicated in patients with
a creatinine clearance of < 30 mL/min. and in hemodialysis patients (see
CONTRAINDICATIONS).
Hepatically Impaired Patients
Hepatically impaired patients should be dosed with caution and
hepatic function monitored at regular intervals (see WARNINGS).
Pediatric Use
Pediatric patients who weigh 40 kg or more and can swallow
tablets should receive the adult dose.
Geriatric Use
No dosage adjustment is required for the elderly (see
PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use).
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