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Amoxicillin dosages change based on the type and severity of infection that's being treated.
The standard dosage of amoxicillin for strep is 1 g every 24 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours for 10 days.
The standard dosage of amoxicillin for sinusitis, middle ear infections, UTIs, and skin infections is 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every eight hours for mild to moderate infections.
Amoxicillin doses for children are based on body weight, severity of infection, and degree of bacterial resistance.
Amoxicillin is a generic antibiotic that treats infections of the nose, throat, ear, lungs, skin, and urinary tract. It is part of a larger group of antibiotics called penicillins, although it can also be classified as a beta-lactam antibiotic, and it can target a wide range of bacteria, including Streptococcus and Enterococcus species. Amoxicillin is also combined with other medications to eradicate Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria responsible for peptic ulcer disease.
In addition to being FDA-approved to treat specific infections, such as pharyngitis and tonsillitis, amoxicillin is commonly prescribed off-label to treat other bacterial infections including Lyme disease, anthrax, chlamydia, dental abscesses, periodontitis, salmonella, and typhoid fever. It’s also given in a single dose to prevent heart infection (endocarditis) for at-risk heart patients undergoing dental procedures.
Amoxicillin kills bacteria by blocking their ability to make and repair protective cell walls. This mechanism of action depends on a critical part of the drug’s structure called the beta-lactam ring. However, many species of bacteria have developed resistance to amoxicillin by producing beta-lactamases, or enzymes that break apart the beta-lactam ring, rendering the drug useless. As a result, amoxicillin is usually given with clavulanate, a beta-lactamase inhibitor that allows amoxicillin to kill both susceptible and resistant bacteria. The two drugs are typically combined into a single drug, amoxicillin/clavulanate, or co-amoxiclav for short.
For most susceptible infections, an amoxicillin capsule, tablet, chewable tablet, or oral suspension is administered by mouth two or three times a day for several days. Some people may be prescribed a brand-name version of amoxicillin, such as Amoxil, Moxatag, or Trimox.
RELATED: What is amoxicillin? | Get amoxicillin discounts
Amoxicillin forms and strengths
Amoxicillin can be taken by mouth in a variety of dosage forms. Most people will be prescribed capsules or tablets, but an oral suspension or chewable tablets can be given to adults or children unable to swallow a tablet or capsule.
Capsules: 250 mg, 500 mg
Tablets: 500 mg, 875 mg
Chewable tablets: 125 mg, 250 mg
Oral suspension: 125 mg per 5 mL, 200 mg/5 mL, 250 mg/5 mL, 400 mg/5 mL
Amoxicillin dosage for adults
Amoxicillin dosing will depend on the type and severity of the condition being treated as well as the extent of bacterial resistance present. Severe infections or infections with intermediate bacterial resistance may require high doses.
Amoxicillin dosage chart |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Indication | Starting dosage | Standard dosage | Maximum dosage |
| Streptococcal tonsillitis or pharyngitis | 1 gram (g) every 24 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours | 1 g every 24 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours for 10 days | 1 g daily |
| Sinusitis | 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours for mild to moderate infections or 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours for severe infections | 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours for mild to moderate infections or 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours for severe infections | 1,750 mg per day |
| Middle ear infections (acute otitis media) | 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours for mild to moderate infections or 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours for severe infections | 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours for mild to moderate infections or 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours for severe infections | 1,750 mg per day |
| Lower respiratory tract infections | 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours | 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours | 1,750 mg per day |
| Community-acquired pneumonia | 1 g every 8 hours | 1 g every 8 hours for at least 5 days | 3 g per day |
| Urinary tract infections | 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours for mild to moderate infections or 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours for severe infections | 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours for mild to moderate infections or 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours for severe infections | 1,750 mg per day |
| Skin and skin structure infections | 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours for mild to moderate infections or 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours for severe infections | 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours for mild to moderate infections or 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours for severe infections | 1,750 mg per day |
| Helicobacter pylori eradication | 1 g taken twice per day (when amoxicillin is included in a triple or quadruple therapy regimen) or 1 g taken 3 times per day (when amoxicillin is included in a dual therapy regimen) | 1 g taken twice per day for 5 to14 days (when amoxicillin is included in a triple or quadruple therapy regimen) or 1 g taken 3 times per day for 14 days (when amoxicillin is included in a dual therapy regimen) | 3 g per day |
Source: PDR.net
Amoxicillin dosage for pharyngitis and tonsillitis
For susceptible streptococcal infections of the tonsils or throat (pharynx), amoxicillin is given in high doses until the infection clears, typically 10 days.
Standard adult dosage for pharyngitis or tonsillitis: 1 g taken every 12 hours or 500 mg taken every eight hours
Maximum adult dosage: 1 g daily
Amoxicillin dosage for sinusitis
For bacterial infections of the sinuses, amoxicillin is administered in different doses depending on the severity of the infection. The first-line therapy for sinusitis, however, is amoxicillin/clavulanate due to high levels of bacterial resistance.
Standard adult dosage for mild to moderate sinusitis: 500 mg taken every 12 hours or 250 mg taken every eight hours
Standard adult dosage for severe sinusitis or intermediate resistant bacteria: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every eight hours
Maximum adult dosage: 1,750 mg per day
Amoxicillin dosage for acute otitis media
Otitis media is a bacterial infection of the middle ear, or the space between the eardrum and the inner ear. Amoxicillin is typically given for five to 10 days or until the infection clears. People with recurrent ear infections are more likely to receive amoxicillin/clavulanate because of bacterial resistance.
Standard adult dosage for mild to moderate otitis media: 500 mg taken every 12 hours or 250 mg taken every eight hours
Standard adult dosage for severe otitis media or intermediate resistant bacteria: 875 mg taken every 12 hours or 500 mg taken every eight hours
Maximum adult dosage: 1,750 mg per day
Amoxicillin dosage for lower respiratory infections
Lung infections caused by beta-lactam susceptible bacteria can be treated with amoxicillin. Lung infections caused by more resistant bacteria are more likely to be treated by amoxicillin/clavulanate, macrolides, or cephalosporins.
Standard adult dosage for lower respiratory tract infections: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every eight hours
Maximum adult dosage: 1,750 mg per day
Amoxicillin dosage for community-acquired pneumonia
Pneumonia caught outside a hospital is called community-acquired pneumonia, and it is frequently caused by penicillin-susceptible bacteria. Pneumonia can be mild to severe, and in severe cases, it can be severe and potentially life-threatening, so amoxicillin is given in the highest doses until the infection clears.
Standard adult dosage for community-acquired pneumonia: 1 g every eight hours for at least five days
Maximum adult dosage: 3 g per day
Amoxicillin dosage for urinary tract infections
Infections of the urinary tract caused by penicillin-susceptible bacteria can be treated by amoxicillin in standard or high doses depending on the severity of the infection or bacterial resistance. As with many other common bacterial infections, amoxicillin/clavulanate is the recommended drug of choice because of bacterial resistance.
Standard adult dosage for mild to moderate urinary tract infections: 500 mg taken every 12 hours or 250 mg taken every eight hours
Standard adult dosage for severe urinary tract infections or intermediate resistant bacteria: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every eight hours
Maximum adult dosage: 1,750 mg per day
Amoxicillin dosage for skin and skin structure infections
For bacterial infections of the skin, such as cellulitis, amoxicillin is given at standard or high doses depending on the severity of the infection and the degree of bacterial resistance.
Standard adult dosage for mild to moderate skin infections: 500 mg taken every 12 hours or 250 mg taken every eight hours
Standard adult dosage for severe skin infections or intermediate resistant bacteria: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every eight hours
Maximum adult dosage: 1,750 mg per day
Amoxicillin dosage for Helicobacter pylori eradication
Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that infects the stomach lining. Many people with an H. pylori infection show no symptoms. However, the infection can damage the stomach lining, leading to gastrointestinal complications such as gastritis (swelling of the stomach lining), stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and stomach cancer.
Treatment consists of combining multiple drugs to eradicate the infection. Dual therapy combines very high doses of amoxicillin with a second drug to reduce stomach acid, usually a proton pump inhibitor, such as lansoprazole. Triple therapy combines high doses of amoxicillin along with another antibacterial drug (clarithromycin, metronidazole, or levofloxacin) and a third drug to reduce stomach acid. Quadruple therapy adds bismuth subsalicylate to triple therapy regimens to reduce swelling and protect the stomach lining.
Standard adult dual therapy dosage for H. pylori eradication: 1 g taken three times per day for 14 days
Standard adult triple therapy or quadruple therapy dosage for H. pylori eradication: 1 g taken twice per day for five to 14 days
Maximum adult dosage: 3 g per day
Amoxicillin dosage for children
Healthcare professionals use amoxicillin in infants, children, and adults to treat the same range of bacterial infections treated in adults. Dosing* will be determined by body weight, the severity of the infection, and the degree of bacterial resistance.
| Amoxicillin dosage by age | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Indication | Age | Standard dosage | Maximum dosage |
| Streptococcal tonsillitis or pharyngitis | Infants, children, and adolescents | 25 mg/kg every 12 hours or 50 mg/kg as a single dose for 10 days | 500 mg/dose (twice daily regimen) 1 g/dose (once daily regimen) |
| Sinusitis | Infants > 3 months old | 90 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 8 hours or divided into a dose every 12 hours for 10 days | 1 g per dose |
| Otitis media | Infants 1 to 3 months old | 30 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 12 hours for 10 days | 875 mg per dose |
| Infants 4 to 5 months old | 80–90 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 12 hours for 10 days | 875 mg per dose | |
| Infants > 6 months, children, and adolescents | 80–90 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 12 hours for 5-10 days | 875 mg per dose | |
| Community-acquired pneumonia | 3 months to 4 years old | 90 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 12 hours for 5-10 days | 500 mg per dose |
| 5+ years old | 90 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 12 hours for 5-10 days | 4 g per day | |
| Skin and urinary tract infections | Neonates and infants < 3 months old | 30 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 12 hours | |
| Infants > 3 months old, children, and adolescents | 20 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 8 hours or 25 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 12 hours for mild to moderate infections OR 40 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 8 hours or 45 mg/kg/day divided into a dose given every 12 hours for severe infections | 250 mg per dose every 8 hours or 500 mg per dose every 12 hours for mild to moderate infections 500 mg per dose every 8 hours or 875 mg per dose every 12 hours for severe infections |
*All children amoxicillin dosages sourced via Epocrates or PDR.
Streptococcal tonsillitis or pharyngitis (strep throat)
Standard pediatric dosage for mild to moderate infections: 25 mg/kg per day in two divided doses given every 12 hours or 50 mg/kg as a single dose daily
Maximum pediatric dosage: 875 mg per dose
Sinusitis
Amoxicillin/clavulanate is the recommended drug of choice for children with a sinus infection, particularly if they are attending daycare, school, or have a moderate to severe infection.
Standard pediatric dosage for children > 3 months of age: 90 mg/kg per day in three divided doses given every eight hours or two divided doses given every 12 hours for 10 days
Maximum pediatric dosage for children > 3 months of age: 1 g per dose
Community-acquired pneumonia
Standard dosage for children 3 months to 4 years of age: 90 mg/kg daily divided into two doses given every 12 hours for five to 10 days
Maximum dosage for children 3 months to 4 years of age: 500 mg per dose
Standard dosage for children 5 years of age and older: 90 mg/kg daily divided into two doses given every 12 hours for five to 10 days
Maximum dosage for children 5 years of age and older: 4 g per day
Skin and urinary tract infections
Standard dosage for neonates and infants < 3 months of age: 30 mg/kg per day divided into two doses given every 12 hours
Standard dosage for children > 3 months of age: 20 mg/kg daily divided into three doses given every eight hours or 25 mg/kg daily divided into two daily doses given every 12 hours
Maximum dosage for children > 3 months of age: 500 mg per dose
Amoxicillin dosage restrictions
Amoxicillin will not be given to people who have had a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, to amoxicillin or similar antibiotics called beta-lactam antibiotics, a group that includes penicillins, cephalosporins, cephamycins, carbapenems, and carbacephems. People with mild allergic reactions, such as skin rash, might be given amoxicillin without dosage restrictions.
Because amoxicillin is eliminated almost entirely by the kidneys, people with renal impairment may need dose adjustments. Amoxicillin may cause further kidney damage and increased side effects in those with kidney problems. However, people with liver problems (hepatic impairment) can take amoxicillin at normal therapeutic doses without increasing the risk of liver damage or side effects.
Patients with renal impairment (kidney disease)—dose amount and frequency adjustment:
Creatinine clearance of >30 mL/min: no dose adjustment
Creatinine clearance between 10 and 30 mL/min: 250 to 500 mg every 12 hours
Creatinine clearance < 10 mL/min: 250 to 500 mg every 24 hours
Hemodialysis: 250 to 500 mg every 24 hours with an additional dose given during and at the end of the dialysis treatment
Parenteral dialysis: 250 to 500 mg every 24 hours
Amoxicillin dosage for pets
Both amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate are widely used to treat susceptible bacterial infections in domestic animals. Amoxicillin can be given as an oral tablet, and it is sometimes administered as an intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous injection by a veterinarian, depending on the infection. Doses, dose frequency, and duration of treatment will vary by animal species, the weight of the animal, and type of infection being treated. Contact your veterinarian for more details.
How to take amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is taken by mouth several times a day. Unless instructed otherwise, amoxicillin can be taken with or without food.
In general, antibiotics that kill bacteria—like amoxicillin—are more effective when taken frequently than in large doses. The goal is to keep the drug at a continually high concentration in the body so that the bacteria don’t get a “break.” For this reason, it’s important to take each dose on time to ensure the successful treatment of the infection.
Take the medicine as directed.
Take the medicine for the full prescribed duration even if symptoms go away before the treatment has finished. The entire multi-day regimen is required to fully eradicate the infection.
Amoxicillin is typically taken in two to three doses a day. Space the doses as evenly as possible across the day.
DO NOT MISS A DOSE. A pharmacist can provide ideas and tools to make sure doses are not missed.
Store this medicine at room temperature (68°F–77°F) in a tightly sealed, light-resistant container. The oral solution can be stored in a refrigerator but do not freeze it.
Capsules & Tablets
Swallow the capsule/tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, break, open, or chew it.
Chewable tablets
Completely chew the tablets before swallowing.
The chewable tablet can be crushed and then mixed with food for easier administration. The mixture should be consumed immediately.
Oral Suspension
Shake the mixture well before giving a dose.
When taking or giving the oral suspension, always use the measuring device supplied with the medicine to measure out a dose.
The measured dose can be mixed with water, baby formula, milk, juice, ginger ale, or any other cold drink for easier administration. The entire mixture needs to be consumed immediately.
Discard the oral solution after 14 days.
Amoxicillin dosage FAQs
Amoxicillin vs. amoxicillin XR: What’s the difference in doses?
Amoxicillin used to be available as an extended-release oral tablet under the brand name Moxatag. Extended-release amoxicillin/clavulanate was also once available under the brand name Augmentin XR. Both products have been discontinued.
How long does it take amoxicillin to work?
Amoxicillin starts killing bacteria on the first day of treatment, and symptoms usually improve after one or two days of treatment. However, it will take several days to completely eradicate the infection. Most mild to moderate infections should clear in five to 10 days, but stubborn infections may take as long as 14 days to completely get rid of. Although treatment duration varies, healthcare providers usually prescribe amoxicillin to be taken until symptoms are completely gone for at least 48 to 72 hours to ensure the infection has been eradicated.
What happens if I miss a dose of amoxicillin?
If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
It is very important to take each dose of amoxicillin as scheduled and never miss a dose. If there are problems with missed doses, talk to a pharmacist. There are apps, alarms, bottle cap alarms, and other tools that can help make sure doses are remembered and taken on time.
What interacts with amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin may cause problems when combined with other prescription drugs:
Amoxicillin may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Women taking oral contraceptives may be advised to use additional birth control while on antibiotics.
When taken with blood-thinning drugs, amoxicillin increases the amount of time required to form blood clots, which can lead to an increased risk of bleeding. Anticoagulant doses may need to be adjusted.
Amoxicillin can reduce the effectiveness of live bacterial vaccines, such as typhoid vaccine or BCG (a tuberculosis vaccine).
When the gout medication allopurinol is taken with amoxicillin or ampicillin, there may be an increased risk of rash or more serious hypersensitivity reactions involving internal organs.
Not all amoxicillin drug interactions are bad. Probenecid, another drug used to treat gout, actually increases the effectiveness of amoxicillin. Some people may be prescribed both drugs for certain types of infections. An aminoglycoside may also be used with amoxicillin for increased effectiveness of both drugs.
Is it safe to take amoxicillin during pregnancy?
Amoxicillin can be given to pregnant women. There are no known adverse effects on the fetus or newborn. Amoxicillin may also be given to women who are breastfeeding, but healthcare professionals may advise caution. Amoxicillin is present in human breast milk and may cause an infant to develop hypersensitivity to amoxicillin and similar antibiotics.
Related resources for amoxicillin dosages:
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