Augmentin

Generic Name: Amoxycillin trihydrate; Potassium clavulanate
Product Name: Augmentin

Indication

• Hospital acquired pneumonia
• Epididymo-orchitis
• Recurrent urinary tract infection
• Bites and clenched fist injuries
• Otitis media (unresponsive to amoxicillin)

Action

• Bactericidal; penicillins interfere with bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis.
• Moderate spectrum penicillins like amoxicillin are active primarily against gram positive organisms.
• The addition of clavulanic acid to amoxicillin extends spectrum of activity to cover many beta-lactamse producing gram positive (S. aureus) and gram negative organisms (Moraxella Catarrhalis, H. Influenzae, Proteus spp., E. coli, Klebsiella spp.), including gram negative anaerobes.

Dose advice

• Oral liquid (powder for) Amoxicillin 25mg/mL, Clavulanic acid 6.25mg/mL, 75mL
• Doses are based on the amoxicillin component.

Adult:

• 250-500mg every 8 hours (or using Duo formulations: 500-875 mg every 12 hours) for 5-10 days.

Child:

• 7.5-15mg/kg every 8 hours (or using Duo formulations 22.5mg/kg every 12 hours) for 5-10 days.

Moderate renal impairment

Adult:

• give normal initial dose then 500mg every 12 hours

Severe renal impairment

Adult:

• give normal initial dose then 500mg every 24 hours

Schedule

S4

Common side effects

• Penicillins are generally well tolerated
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Rash
• Urticaria
• Superinfection- especially during prolonged treatment and/or broad spectrum antibiotics
• Transient increases in liver enzymes and bilirubin

Uncommon side effects

• Bronchospasm
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Erythema
• Exfoliative dermatitis
• Angioedema
• Stevens Johnson Syndrome
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Pseudomembranous colitis

For further information talk to your doctor.