A normal dose of amoxicillin for most adults is 250 mg to 500 mg taken three times a day, or 500 mg to 875 mg taken twice a day. The exact amount depends on the type and severity of infection being treated. Children receive lower doses calculated by body weight.
Standard Adult Doses
For mild to moderate infections like ear infections, urinary tract infections, or skin infections, adults typically take 250 mg to 500 mg every eight hours. For more severe infections or those caused by less sensitive bacteria, the dose increases to 500 mg to 875 mg every eight to twelve hours. That puts the total daily intake somewhere between 750 mg and 1,750 mg for most prescriptions.
Strep throat is one of the most common reasons amoxicillin gets prescribed. The CDC recommends either 1,000 mg once daily or 500 mg twice daily for adults, both for a full 10 days. That 10-day course is important for fully clearing the bacteria, even though symptoms usually improve within two or three days.
For dental procedures in people at high risk for heart infections, a single 2,000 mg dose is taken about an hour before the appointment. This large one-time dose is considered safe even for people with reduced kidney function.
Doses for Children
Children’s doses are based on body weight rather than age. For kids 3 months and older who weigh less than about 88 pounds (40 kg), the standard range is 20 to 45 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, split into doses given every 8 or 12 hours. So a 44-pound (20 kg) child might receive 250 mg two or three times daily.
For strep throat specifically, the CDC guideline is 50 mg per kilogram once daily (up to a maximum of 1,000 mg) or 25 mg per kilogram twice daily (up to 500 mg per dose), both for 10 days. Infants younger than 3 months get a lower dose of 30 mg per kilogram per day, divided into two doses 12 hours apart.
Once a child weighs 40 kg or more, they generally follow adult dosing.
Available Forms and Strengths
Amoxicillin comes in several forms to match different needs:
- Capsules: 250 mg and 500 mg
- Chewable tablets: 125 mg and 250 mg
- Liquid suspension: 125 mg or 250 mg per 5 mL (one teaspoon)
The liquid form is the go-to for young children and anyone who has trouble swallowing pills. It needs to be shaken well before measuring and is usually kept in the refrigerator after mixing.
How Long a Course Typically Lasts
Most amoxicillin prescriptions run 7 to 10 days. Strep throat requires the full 10 days. Ear infections and sinus infections are commonly treated for 7 to 10 days, though shorter courses of 5 to 7 days are sometimes used for mild cases. Finishing the entire course matters. Stopping early because you feel better can leave enough bacteria alive to bounce back or develop resistance.
How Quickly It Works
After swallowing a dose, amoxicillin reaches its highest concentration in your bloodstream within about 1 to 2 hours. It clears relatively fast, with a half-life of roughly one hour, which is why you need to take it multiple times a day to keep levels high enough to fight bacteria. This rapid clearance also means the drug leaves your system within a day of your last dose.
Adjustments for Kidney Function
Your kidneys handle most of the work of clearing amoxicillin from your body. If your kidneys aren’t working at full capacity, the drug sticks around longer and the dose needs to come down. People with moderately reduced kidney function may switch from three doses a day to two. Those with more significant kidney impairment may take the drug only once or twice daily. Your prescriber will make this call based on lab work.
What to Do if You Miss a Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and pick up your regular schedule. Don’t double up to compensate. Doubling won’t help fight the infection faster and increases your chance of side effects like diarrhea and nausea, which are already the most common complaints with amoxicillin.