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Combination Drug:
Amoxicillin Trihydrate/Clavulanate Potassium , Amoxicillin Trihydrate/Clavulanic Acid

Brand

Clavamox
Augmentin
Synulox

Availability

Suspension available in 62.5 mg, and 125 mg, also available in 250 mg tablets

Pharmacology

Amoxicillin, an aminopencillin beta-lactam, differs structurally from ampicillin by having an addition hydroxyl group on the phenyl ring. It is a bactericidal broad-spectrum antibiotic.

When Clavulanate Potassium and Clavulanic Acid, beta-lactamase inhibitors, are used in combined form with the penicillins such as amoxicillin, they prevent hydrolyzed penicillins, like amoxicillin, from being inactivated by bacterial beta-lactamases.
The antibacterial activity of Clavulanate Potassium, and Clavulanic Acid, is weak when used alone and is therefore only available in combination form. There is no synergistic activity, to speak of, against organisms that are already susceptible to amoxicillin. The combined drug is useful in staphylococcal infections where amoxicillin alone is not.

This combination drug is excreted unchanged in the urine via glomerular filtration.

Indications

Used to treat urinary tract infections as well as skin and skin structure infections.

Drug Interactions or Contraindications

Concomitant use of Probenecid will increase the plasma level of this antibiotic.

Adverse Reactions

Blood:  anemias

GI:  anorexia,diarrhea

Other:  hypersensitivity reaction such as rash and itching.Prolonged high doses can cause neurotoxicity.When given orally the penicillins may alter gut flora,selecting out resistant bacteria residing in the colon(leading to superinfections).

Dosage Recommendations

6.25 mg/lb , PO , BID  ⁴
Given over 10-14 days.

Considerations

May give with food,does not significantly reduce absorption of drug.

Give yogurt, Lactobacillus capsules/granules, or Bene-bac to help maintain normal gut flora.

Can be used simultaneously with Gentocin.

For oral suspension shake well, refrigerate, and discard any unused portion after 10 days.

Posted on June 23, 2003, 14:36, Last updated on August 14, 2008, 18:39 | Antimicrobial Agents