Augmentin vs. Cipro

See how Augmentin and Cipro compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Augmentin and Cipro treat different types of bacterial infections through different mechanisms, so they are not interchangeable for the same infection.

  • Cipro carries an FDA boxed warning for tendon, nerve, and mental health risks that Augmentin does not have.

  • Augmentin is typically a first choice for ear, sinus, and skin infections, while Cipro is reserved for cases where other antibiotics are not an option.

Augmentin vs. Cipro Drug Summary

Augmentin

Augmentin combines amoxicillin, a penicillin-type antibiotic, with clavulanate, which helps it fight bacteria resistant to plain amoxicillin. It treats common infections of the ears, sinuses, lungs, skin, and urinary tract. It comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, or liquid, taken by mouth every 8 or 12 hours depending on the dose.

Cipro

Cipro (ciprofloxacin) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used for urinary, respiratory, skin, and bone infections, plus anthrax exposure. It works by blocking bacterial DNA replication instead of attacking the cell wall. It is taken by mouth, usually twice a day, for anywhere from 3 to 28 days depending on the infection.

Augmentin vs. Cipro Side Effects

Augmentin

Most common
diarrhea (up to 9%)
nausea (up to 3%)
vomiting (up to 1%)
skin rash/urticaria (up to 3%)

Cipro

Most common
diarrhea (up to 1.6%)
nausea (up to 2.5%)
vomiting (up to 1%)
abnormal liver function tests (up to 1.3%)

Augmentin vs. Cipro Dosage

Augmentin

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 250 mg/125 mg every 8 hrs At the start
Maximum dose 2000 mg/125 mg every 12 hrs If needed
Dose changes 4 increases As tolerated

Cipro

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 250 mg every 12 hrs At the start
Maximum dose 750 mg every 12 hrs If needed
Dose changes 3 increases As tolerated

Augmentin vs. Cipro Indications

Augmentin

Augmentin combines amoxicillin with clavulanate, a beta-lactamase inhibitor that helps it fight bacteria resistant to plain penicillins. It is FDA-approved for ear, sinus, lower respiratory, skin, and urinary tract infections. It is not effective against viral infections like colds or flu.

  • Acute bacterial otitis media

  • Acute bacterial sinusitis

  • Lower respiratory tract infections

  • Skin and skin structure infections

  • Urinary tract infections

Cipro

Cipro is FDA-approved for a broad range of bacterial infections, including complicated urinary tract infections, respiratory, skin, and bone infections, and anthrax exposure. Because of serious risks, guidelines generally reserve it for infections where other antibiotics are not a good option.

  • Complicated urinary tract infections

  • Lower respiratory tract infections

  • Skin and skin structure infections

  • Bone and joint infections

  • Anthrax exposure (post-exposure prophylaxis)

Augmentin vs. Cipro Pros and Cons

Augmentin

Augmentin has no FDA boxed warning and covers many common infections effectively, including those caused by resistant bacteria. It does require more frequent dosing in some regimens and tends to cause more GI upset than Cipro.

Pros

  • No FDA boxed warning, unlike Cipro's fluoroquinolone warnings

  • Beta-lactamase inhibitor lets it treat bacteria plain amoxicillin cannot

  • Available in chewable tablets and liquid form for children

  • Considered a safer option during pregnancy than fluoroquinolones

Cons

  • Needs dosing as often as every 8 hours for some regimens

  • Higher rate of diarrhea than Cipro

  • Not effective against Pseudomonas or other tough gram-negative bacteria

  • Roughly $80 to $150 per treatment course without insurance, more than generic Cipro

Cipro

Cipro carries an FDA boxed warning for tendon, nerve, and central nervous system risks, but it reaches gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas, that Augmentin cannot treat. Its long half-life allows simpler twice-daily dosing for most infections.

Pros

  • Covers Pseudomonas and other gram-negative bacteria Augmentin cannot reach

  • Simple twice-daily dosing for most infections

  • Some UTIs can be treated with just a 3-day course

  • Roughly $10 to $20 per treatment course without insurance, less than brand Augmentin

Cons

  • Carries an FDA boxed warning for tendon rupture, nerve damage, and CNS effects

  • Not first-choice in children or pregnant women due to joint risks

  • Can prolong the QT interval and interacts with many other drugs

  • Growing bacterial resistance limits its use for uncomplicated UTIs

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