Augmentin antibiotic instructions

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Augmentin is a modern antibiotic for the treatment of infections

It is perhaps difficult to find a doctor who has never prescribed Augmentin. Therapists, pediatricians, urologists, gynecologists, ENT doctors - doctors of all specializations cannot imagine their practice without this antibiotic.

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At the same time, in many protocols for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases, Augmentin is included as a drug of choice, that is, recommended by the Ministry of Health.

Before you continue reading: If you are looking for an effective method of getting rid of a runny nose, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis or colds, then be sure to look at this section of the site after reading this article. This information has helped so many people, we hope it will help you too! So, now back to the article.

Both patients and doctors perceive Augmentin as a modern antibacterial agent. Meanwhile, the drug has been on the market for decades.

The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, which became the basis of Augmentin, was developed last year by scientists from the British company Beecham. A little later, in 1984, the pharmaceutical giant received a patent for the original Augmentin. Today, the drug continues to be produced by GlaxoSmithKline, Beecham's successor. WHO - the World Health Organization - included Augmentin in the list of essential medicines.

The popularity of the drug around the world is so high that it is one of the ten best-selling antibiotics. Reviews from both patients and doctors about Augmentin are almost unanimous and only confirm the universal love for the drug.

Let's take a closer look: the composition and release forms of Augmentin

Augmentin contains two substances:

Amoxicillin is a semisynthetic penicillin antibiotic with a broad spectrum of action. It is practically an analogue of Ampicillin and differs only in minor structural changes in the chemical formula. Augmentin contains amoxicillin in the form of a trihydrate.

Clavulanic acid is a fermentation product of the gram-positive bacteria Streptomyces clavuligerus. This substance is included in Augmentin in the form of a potassium salt.

Augmentin is distinguished by its richness of release forms. GlaxoSmithKline produces many different dosages of the drug. When indicating the dosage, the manufacturer indicates separately the dose of the antibiotic (first digit) and clavulanate (second digit). So, we list the forms of release of the drug registered in Russia:

  • Augmentin in the form of a dry powder for the preparation of an oral suspension, which contains 200 mg + 28.5 mg in 5 ml of the finished drug;
  • Augmentin powder containing 400 mg + 57 mg in 5 ml of ready suspension;
  • An option in the form of a dry powder for the preparation of an oral suspension, which contains 125 mg + 31.25 mg in 5 ml of the finished drug;
  • Augmentin ES powder for the preparation of a children's suspension, which contains 600 mg + 42.9 mg in 5 ml;
  • Augmentin powder intended for the preparation of a solution for intravenous administration;
  • Tablets 500mg+125mg;
  • Tablets 875 mg+125 mg;
  • Augmentin tablets 250 mg + 125 mg.

Each tablet of the drug is coated with a film coating, which protects the active substances from the aggressive hydrochloric acid environment of the stomach.

Sometimes doctors, when prescribing Augmentin, indicate the total dosage of the antibiotic and clavulanic acid. For example, you can often find a recipe with similar content: Tab.Augmentini 1000mg. Obviously, the doctor is referring to the antibiotic formulation containing 875 mg of Amoxicillin and 125 mg of clavulanic acid. Both the first and second methods of indicating dosage are equally correct.

The wealth of release forms is another advantage

GlaxoSmithKline has mastered the production of such a large number of different forms of Augmentin that the antibiotic can be easily selected for a patient of any age and weight. The search for new convenient doses continues to this day. Thus, relatively recently, a children's suspension Augmentin ES was registered, designed for the treatment of severe infections, as well as for older children. The drug has an almost adult dosage of active ingredients - 600 mg of Amoxicillin and 42.9 mg of clavulanic acid.

I would like to note that the Augmentin package contains the exact number of tablets calculated for a full course of treatment. Thus, the minimum package of the drug contains 14 tablets and is designed for the treatment of uncomplicated infections. For long-term treatment, a release form of 20 tablets of Augmentin is intended at a dose of 625 mg and 400 mg.

When purchasing an Augmentin suspension, the dosage of which is correctly calculated based on the child’s weight, there is no doubt that the volume of the drug will be sufficient for the course of treatment. Sometimes parents are surprised to notice that on the third day of antibiotic therapy, only a small amount of the medicine remains in the bottle. In such cases, most likely, the release form was chosen incorrectly, and it was necessary to buy a larger dosage of the drug.

Saving wisely, or Is it possible to split an Augmentin tablet?

Some Augmentin tablets, in particular those with a dosage of 500 mg (675 mg including clavulanate), have a cross mark. Many patients believe that the risk is needed to split the tablets in order to reduce the dosage.

Of course, from a savings point of view, this is really beneficial. After all, the cost of, for example, Augmentin 250 mg tablets is much higher than half a 500 mg tablet. However, in fact, the manufacturer warns: the transverse mark is not applied at all to select a lower dosage. The risk in Augmentin tablets serves more of an aesthetic function. Splitting the tablet is strictly not recommended: then the film shell is destroyed, and the contents of the tablet can react with hydrochloric acid of the stomach.

In addition, pharmacists point out that when a tablet is broken into two parts, it is almost impossible to predict the content of active ingredients in the resulting halves. And the likelihood that both parts of the tablet will be equal in dosage is very slim.

Therefore, there is no need to philosophize. Fortunately, Augmentin is distinguished by its richness of release forms, and each patient, regardless of age and weight, can choose the right dosage.

Protection of Amoxicillin, or Why are clavulanates needed?

Indeed, many patients wonder what function does clavulanic acid perform? Why does the drug contain another substance?

The fact is that during the use of antibacterial drugs, many microorganisms have learned to resist the effects of drugs. Cunning bacteria, in an effort to continue their life activity, began to produce a special enzyme that destroys the antibiotic. Thus, penicillin and cephalosporin drugs containing a beta-lactam ring are inactivated by penicillinase, which is produced by some microorganisms.

Scientists discovered this ability of bacteria immediately after the creation of Amoxicillin. Soon an “antidote” was found, which turned out to be clavulanic acid. It is structurally similar to beta-lactam penicillins.

Clavulanic acid inactivates beta-lactamases (a group of enzymes that includes penicillinase), blocking the active sites of these enzymes.

So, clavulanic acid in the composition of antibacterial drugs acts as a protector. It does not allow bacteria to destroy the antibiotic and thus preserves its physicochemical structure, and, consequently, its pharmacological effect.

I would like to note that not all microorganisms produce penicillinase. Therefore, pure, unprotected Amoxicillin is still successfully used to treat diseases caused by sensitive bacteria.

Augmentin: spectrum of activity and pharmacological action

Many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria are sensitive to the action of Augmentin, including:

  • Staphylococcus aureus, including strains that produce beta-lactamase;
  • streptococcus;
  • Neisseria, the causative agent of gonorrhea;
  • Escherichia coli, including those producing beta-lactamase;
  • enterobacteria;
  • Klebsiella;
  • Moraxella;
  • Proteus.

Separately, we note that methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, which cause dangerous nosocomial infections, are insensitive to Augmentin.

The mechanism of action of Amoxicillin is extremely simple. The antibiotic blocks the synthesis of the cell wall of sensitive microorganisms and thus has a bactericidal effect.

Only one active ingredient in Augmentin has a pharmacological effect - amoxicillin. Clavulanic acid does not have an antibacterial effect.

Bioavailability of Augmentin before and after meals: when is it better to take an antibiotic?

The complex of Amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate is well absorbed. Already an hour after oral administration, the blood contains the maximum concentration of the antibiotic.

The rate of absorption and distribution of the main active ingredient, Amoxicillin, is the same regardless of food intake. However, for potassium clavulanate, the dosage regimen still matters. In clinical trials, the absorption of clavulanic acid was found to be much higher when taken with food than when taken on an empty stomach.

GlaxoSmithKline scientists conducted studies to study the pharmacokinetics of the drug. The relative bioavailability of Augmentin was found to be significantly reduced when the drug was taken orally 30 and 150 minutes after a high-fat breakfast.

Based on a study of pharmacodynamics, uniform recommendations for taking Augmentin tablets and suspensions for children were developed. So, in order for the maximum doses of the drug to reach the destination point, the medicine must be taken at the beginning of the meal.

Indications for use: when will Augmentin help?

Indications for taking Augmentin are inflammatory diseases caused by pathogens sensitive to Amoxicillin. We have already mentioned that Augmentin is the drug of choice for the treatment of many infectious pathologies. Let's try to list the main indications for the use of this truly powerful antibiotic:

  • upper respiratory tract infections, in particular bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi), bronchopneumonia (simultaneous inflammation of the bronchi and lungs), pneumonia (pneumonia), lung abscesses (ulcers);
  • infections of the oropharynx: bacterial tonsillitis (angina), pharyngitis, stomatitis;
  • ENT infections: otitis media, sinusitis (article “Antibiotics for sinusitis”);
  • skin infections: bacterial furunculosis and other pathologies caused by beta-lactamase-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella and Escherichia coli;
  • infections of the genitourinary system: cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), urethritis (inflammation of the urethra - urethra);
  • infections of the pelvic organs, including after childbirth, abortion and other interventions;
  • sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhea, syphilis;
  • postoperative infections;
  • osteomyelitis - inflammation of bone tissue.

Application of Augmentin: special instructions

First of all, I would like to emphasize that Augmentin is the gold standard in the treatment of diseases of the oropharynx, upper and lower respiratory tract, caused mainly by gram-positive microorganisms. Moreover, the spectrum of the drug is so wide that it can cover almost all pathogenic microorganisms.

Unfortunately, many therapists like to “hide behind” two or even three antibiotics. Often vigilant doctors play it safe in this way during outpatient and even inpatient treatment of pneumonia. As a result, the treatment regimen for uncomplicated pneumonia takes on a “multi-story look” and contains several antibiotics, including Augmentin. At the same time, combinations of injectable and tablet forms of various antibacterial drugs look especially impressive.

Patients do not even suspect that correctly selected Augmentin does not require the addition of another antibiotic. The activity of Amoxicillin against Streptococcus pneumoniae (the main causative agent of pneumonia) is significantly higher than that of Ampicillin and Benzylpenicillin. Therefore, in the vast majority of cases of pneumonia caused by strains with intermediate sensitivity to Ampicillin and Benzylpenicillin, amenable to monotherapy with Augmentin.

When treating infections of the urogenital tract (inflammation of the kidneys, bladder, pelvic organs), fluoroquinolone antibiotics are still considered the drugs of choice. However, medications in this group are contraindicated for use in children. Therefore, Augmentin can be used in pediatric practice for such infections.

Suspension or syringe: why do we torture children?

Many patients believe that the effectiveness of an antibiotic administered by injection is higher than that of oral forms - tablets or suspension. Apparently, this opinion has been ingrained in the heads of mainly our compatriots since the times of Soviet medicine. Back then, doctors really preferred parenteral antibiotics, and there was some common sense in this. Oral forms of those years were characterized by low bioavailability. A striking example is Ampicillin, which is only 40% absorbed. And it is eliminated very quickly, which is why the tablets have to be taken four times a day.

Since then, the pharmaceutical industry has come a long way. So far that oral antibiotics have appeared, the bioavailability of which approaches that of injectable forms. Simply put, modern antibiotics in tablets or suspensions are no “weaker” than injections. And sometimes even the opposite.

The problem is that the vast majority of patients and even a certain number of doctors stuck in the past do not know about this. Or they don't want to know. And in such situations, a modern drama plays out with the participation of parents, a doctor and, of course, the victim - the child.

Parents ask the local pediatrician to prescribe “injections” in order to cure their child quickly and for sure. Doctors, to please worried mothers, describe terrible dilution schemes for adult doses of injectable antibiotics. Mothers, armed with a syringe and a jar of alcohol, examine the child’s bottom and look for the treasured upper left quadrant. And at this time the child calls all his relatives for help and receives unchildlike stress. In general, the picture is impressive.

Meanwhile, in the vast majority of infectious diseases, the action of modern tablet antibiotics is sufficient to achieve the maximum possible effect. Injections, including Augmentin, are used only for very severe diseases: post-surgical inflammatory processes, hospital-acquired infections, as well as for pathologies associated with immunosuppression.

Augmentin children's suspension not only has high bioavailability, but also another important quality for a child - a pleasant taste. Therefore, let's start breaking stereotypes and treating our children effectively, safely and even pleasantly. And with the help of Augmentin suspension as well.

The correct dosage for children is the basis for successful treatment with Augmentin

According to the instructions for use of Augmentin in children, the dosage of the drug depends on the age of the child.

— Infants up to three months

In children of this age, the urinary system does not yet function fully, as a result of which the elimination (removal) of standard doses of Augmentin may be difficult. Therefore, the recommended dosage of the drug is 30 milligrams per kilogram of weight per day. The frequency of administration is twice a day, that is, every 12 hours.

It is most convenient to buy a children's suspension of Augmentin containing 125 mg of Amoxicillin.

— Children over three months old

Starting at this age, the doctor can prescribe two options for children's suspension:

1. Augmentin 200 mg in 5 ml and Augmentin 400 mg in 5 ml are used twice a day, every 12 hours.

2. Augmentin 125 mg in 5 ml and Augmentin 250 mg in 5 ml are used three times a day - every 8 hours.

Most experts prefer to use suspensions with a 12-hour action. It is assumed that these dosage forms are much less likely to cause diarrhea than the 8-hour Augmentin suspension.

However, it should be borne in mind that Augmentin 200 mg and 400 mg suspensions contain aspartame, so they are prohibited for use in patients suffering from phenylketonuria.

Let's try to figure out how to calculate the dose of children's Augmentin.

The instructions for use indicate that:

  • 12-hour pediatric suspensions of Augmentin are dosed at the rate of 45 mg/kg of body weight for severe infections and 25 mg/kg for less severe infections;
  • 8-hour suspensions of Augmentin are designed for 40 mg/kg in severe cases and 20 mg/kg in mild cases.

By the term “severe infections,” experts mean otitis media, lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia), sinusitis, and diseases with severe intoxication and severe symptoms.

Let's give an example. If the child weighs 8 kg, then for moderate bronchitis he will need 200 mg of Augmentin per day, divided into two doses. Based on the fact that 5 ml of the finished suspension contains 200 mg of antibiotic, the child should receive 2.5 ml of the drug every 12 hours.

— Children weighing 40 kg and above

For older children, Augmentin is dosed in accordance with adult recommendations.

In conclusion of the description of standard dosages of Augmentin, I would like to note the importance of competent consultation with a doctor. Despite the sometimes detailed description of calculating the pediatric dose in instructions or articles about Augmentin, it is best not to engage in amateur activities with the selection of dosages, but to give the reins to a specialist. Only a doctor can adequately assess the severity of your child’s illness and select the right dose of antibiotic. Remember this and do not overestimate your capabilities. Also, always check the instructions provided directly with the medicine.

Augmentin: adult dosages

With dosages for adults, the situation is much simpler. However, here too the severity of the disease must be taken into account.

The instructions for use of Augmentin tablets describe that the standard adult dose includes 500 mg of the drug every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours.

For the treatment of more severe diseases and lower respiratory tract infections, the dose of Augmentin is increased to 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours.

Adults who have difficulty swallowing a whole tablet can take a 125 mg or 250 mg suspension instead of Augmentin 500 mg. Tablets at a dose of 875 mg are replaced in such cases with a suspension of Augmentin containing 200 or 400 mg of antibiotic.

Rules for preparing Augmentin suspension: translating instructions from medical into Russian

Augmentin children's suspension is sold in the form of a dry powder, from which parents must prepare the final product themselves. Many mothers and fathers who are unfamiliar with pharmaceutical activities, even after carefully studying the instructions for Augmentin, are afraid to make mistakes in this delicate matter - making a medicine.

Let's try to figure out how to prepare the suspension. But first, let us remember that Augmentin is a very high-quality original drug. And this quality is manifested in literally everything, from packaging to efficiency. That’s why preparing medicine is a pleasure.

To obtain a suspension, we need cool boiled or highly purified water. So, first, let's look at the bottle itself. There is a cross mark on its label. It shows the level to which the finished Augmentin suspension should reach.

The preparation of any suspension is carried out in two stages:

  • dilution in half the volume of solvent. To do this, you need to pour approximately 1/2 of the water (relative to the mark) and try to distribute the powder as much as possible by vigorously shaking the bottle;
  • final dilution. At this stage, you need to add water to the mark, shake well and the cooking process can be considered complete.

As you can see, everything is actually very simple. The only subtlety of preparation is to accurately measure the required volume of water. The final dosage of the medicine depends on this. If the solvent does not reach the mark, the concentration of the antibiotic in the suspension will exceed the norm. If we do not spare water and, in a fit of generosity, pour it above the mark, we will get a “diluted” Augmentin suspension, the dose of which is lower than necessary.

Both the first and second errors affect the effectiveness and outcome of treatment.

Augmentin suspension - where to store and how to take?

Suspensions and emulsions are two-phase systems. Take a closer look at the finished Augmentin suspension: the powder does not dissolve, but is simply distributed in water. Don't worry - it's not your inability to prepare medicine. It's just that Amoxicillin, like most other antibiotics, is completely insoluble in water.

Therefore, one of the main tasks of a parent who is treating a child with an antibiotic suspension is to follow the rule of taking a two-phase medication. The amount of active substance that enters the body ultimately depends on the relative homogeneity of the suspension.

So, how to take Augmentin suspension correctly? There is nothing simpler: immediately before use, the bottle of medicine must be shaken vigorously.

The prepared Agumentin suspension should be stored in the refrigerator. Let us emphasize the word “ready”. If you bought the drug in advance, then an ordinary shelf in a closed cabinet is enough for Augmentin powder to retain its properties.

If at the end of treatment some amount of the medicine remains unused, you should not leave it “just in case.” Augmentin suspension can be stored for about three weeks, after which the antibiotic is destroyed.

Penicillin allergy: don't miss it!

The main contraindication to taking Augmentin is an allergic reaction to penicillin antibiotics.

During post-marketing studies of Augmentin, which have been ongoing for about 30 years, a number of rather severe cases of individual hypersensitivity to the drug have been reported. They manifested themselves as an anaphylactic reaction to the penicillin antibiotic Amoxicillin.

I would like to reassure patients who until now knew nothing about allergies. All cases of an individual reaction to Augmentin occurred in patients with allergies to penicillin drugs or other allergens in quantities of more than two.

In addition, the cross-sensitivity of penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics should be taken into account. If the patient has a history of allergies to, say, ceftriaxone, then the likelihood of a reaction to Augmentin is very high. In such situations, it’s definitely not worth taking risks - it’s much easier and safer to choose an antibiotic from a different group.

Contraindications to treatment with Augmentin

Let's try to list the main contraindications to taking Augmentin:

  • allergic reaction to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics;
  • a history of liver dysfunction during treatment with Augmentin (that is, with previous use of the drug);
  • individual intolerance to Augmentin components;
  • Infectious mononucleosis. The erroneous prescription of penicillins for this disease (note, a viral disease) leads to the appearance of a characteristic rash.

During pregnancy and lactation, Augmentin is allowed conditionally. This very vague phrase only means that a sufficient number of clinical studies studying the effect of the drug on pregnancy have not been conducted. The drug, without a doubt, penetrates the placental barrier and into breast milk.

However, due to the extremely low toxicity and wide spectrum of action of Augmentin, this particular antibiotic is the drug of choice in the treatment of many infectious diseases in both pregnant and lactating women.

Side effects of Augmentin: what can you expect?

Let's try to list the main adverse events that may occur during or after a course of treatment with Augmentin:

- intestinal dysfunction

The so-called “dysbacteriosis” that doctors and pharmacists scare us with sometimes actually develops after taking antibiotics. In medicine, this phenomenon is usually called pseudomembranous colitis. The reason for this complication is that antibiotic treatment can alter the normal intestinal flora. In this case, opportunistic microorganisms can begin to multiply intensively and produce toxins.

Research shows that the main cause of antibiotic-associated colitis is a toxin produced by clostridia. Diarrhea, which is often the only symptom of the complication, can range in severity from mild in most cases to severe. The latter is most often recorded in patients suffering from immunodeficiency.

On average, antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurs in 9% of patients taking Augmentin.

- liver dysfunction

The negative effect of Augmentin on the functioning of the liver and biliary tract is recorded in less than 5% of cases. Moreover, in most patients, the function of the hepatobiliary system is restored independently after discontinuation of the antibiotic.

Severe disorders that manifest as damage to liver tissue have been reported in isolated cases. For example, GlaxoSmithKline confirms information about one death as a result of the hepatotoxic effect of Augmentin. However, we hasten to reassure patients who have taken their hearts to heart. The probability of such a reaction is close to zero - it is possible only in one of their patients!

However, in order to avoid complications, during long-term treatment with Augmentin, experts recommend periodically monitoring liver function.

The probability of developing dermatological rashes during Augmentin therapy is 3%. As a rule, these symptoms do not require discontinuation of the antibiotic and disappear upon completion of treatment.

- nausea and vomiting

Some patients experience dyspeptic symptoms associated with taking Augmentin: nausea (in 3% of patients) and vomiting (in 1%). To reduce the likelihood of these side effects, you need to follow the rules for taking Augmentin and take the medicine at the beginning of meals.

Augmentin analogues: a choice that boggles the imagination

As we have already mentioned, Augmentin is an original drug. It was with him that the era of protected Amoxicillin began. Therefore, its quality and safety are beyond doubt.

However, this does not mean that generics, that is, analogues of Augmentin, work worse or cause more side effects. After all, each analogue is tested for bioequivalence. An ideal generic has the same similarity to the original as two identical drugs from different series. And the price of the analogue is almost always lower than the brand drug.

So, let's try to list the most common analogues of Augmentin. And let's start, of course, with the highest quality ones:

  • Amoxiclav is a Slovak analogue of Augmentin;
  • Flemoclav is an orally dispersible form of protected Amoxicillin, which is characterized by very high bioavailability and ease of administration. There is no doubt about the quality of the Dutch manufacturer of this drug, Astellas;
  • Medoclav, produced by the Cyprus company MEDOCHEMIE LTD;
  • Panclave is a fairly economical and at the same time high-quality generic product produced by the European company Hemofarm.

Separately, I would like to list Indian analogues of Augmentin. These drugs belong to the cheaper segment of the market. On the Russian market you can find more often than others:

Russian generics meet quality standards and are favorably priced. The most common among them are:

  • Arlet (manufacturer: AKO Sintez);
  • Ecoclave produced by Avva Rus OJSC;
  • Klamosar, which is produced by Saransk JSC Biokhimik.

As you can see, the choice is really wide. Nevertheless, it is still better to leave the right to make a decision to a specialist: the attending physician or pharmacist.

The article above and comments written by readers are for informational purposes only and do not encourage self-medication. Consult a specialist regarding your own symptoms and illnesses. When taking any medicine, you should always use the instructions that come with the medicine and your doctor's advice as a guide.

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Do you want to get rid of your nose, throat, lung and cold diseases? Then be sure to check it out here.

It is also worth paying attention to other medications:

Secondly, it is possible that your child was allergic to this drug!

I wrote a comment below Zhikharka.

The child was diagnosed with lymphadenitis, prescribed an antibiotic, for the first 3 days nothing was clear against the background of the temperature, but on the 4th and 5th days of treatment the temperature began to rise, everyone attributed it to a sore, and only on the 5th day it became clear that this was an allergic reaction to a drug!

When taking this antibiotic, the child simply felt ill, he immediately became lethargic, had terrible weakness, a stuffy nose, and HIGH TEMPERATURE. On the 5th day in the evening, they stopped taking this drug, the child went to bed cheerful and without the listed symptoms.

THANK GOD that our brains can still think, I myself am a doctor by training, and in time I thought about the fact that this was a reaction to this antibiotic. Last year, my son had a sore throat and was prescribed FLEMOXIN SOLUTAB; there was no similar reaction to it.

Join, speak out and discuss. Your opinion may be very important to many readers!

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Augmentin

Description current as of 09/26/2014

  • Latin name: Augmentin
  • ATX code: J01CR02
  • Active ingredient: Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid
  • Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline plc, UK

Compound

One tablet p/o for oral administration contains 0.25, 0.5 or 0.875 g of amoxicillin trihydrate and 0.125 g of clavulanic acid (during the production of the drug, sodium clavulanate is added with a 5% excess).

Auxiliary components included in the tablets: Silicii dioxydum colloidale, Magnesium stearate, Carboxymethylamylum natricum, Cellulosum microcrystallicum.

One bottle of powder for preparing a solution for injection contains 0.5 or 1 g of amoxicillin trihydrate and, respectively, 0.1 or 0.2 g of clavulanic acid.

The composition of Augmentin powder for the preparation of a suspension for oral administration includes 0.125/0.2/0.4 g (5 ml) of amoxicillin trihydrate and, respectively, 0.03125/0.0285/0.057 g (5 ml) of clavulanic acid.

Auxiliary components: Xanthan gum, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Silicii dioxydum colloidale, Acidum succinicum, Silicii dioxydum, Aspartamum (E951), dry flavors - orange (610271E and 9/027108), raspberry and “Light molasses”.

Augmentin EC powder, intended for the preparation of 100 ml of suspension, contains 0.6 g (5 ml) amoxicillin trihydrate and 0.0429 g (5 ml) clavulanic acid.

Auxiliary components: Silicii dioxydum colloidale, Carboxymethylamylum natricum), Aspartamum (E951), Xanthan gum, Silicii dioxydum, strawberry flavor.

One Augmentin SR tablet with prolonged action contains 1 g of amoxicillin trihydrate and 0.0625 g of clavulanic acid.

Auxiliary components: Cellulosum microcrystallicum, Carboxymethylamylum natricum, Silicii dioxydum colloidale, Magnesium stearate, Xanthan gum, Аcidum citrinosum, Hypromellosum 6cps, Hypromellosum 15cps, Titanium dioxide (E171), Macrogolum 3350, Macrogolum 8000.

Release form

The drug has the following forms of release:

  • Tablets Augmentin 250 mg + 125 mg, Augmentin 500 mg + 125 mg and Augmentin 875 + 125 mg.
  • Powder 500/100 mg and 1000/200 mg, intended for the preparation of solution for injection.
  • Powder for the preparation of Augmentin suspension 400 mg/57 mg, 200 mg/28.5 mg, 125 mg/31.25 mg.
  • Augmentin EC powder 600 mg/42.9 mg (5 ml) for suspension preparation.
  • Augmentin SR 1000 mg/62.5 mg coated po tablets with prolonged release.

pharmachologic effect

Augmentin belongs to the pharmacotherapeutic group “Antimicrobial drugs for systemic use. β-lactams. Penicillins.”

The pharmacological action of the drug is antibacterial and bactericidal.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

According to Wikipedia, Amoxicillin is a bactericidal agent that is effective against a wide range of pathogenic and potentially pathogenic microorganisms and is a semi-synthetic antibiotic of the penicillin group.

By suppressing transpeptidase and disrupting the production of murein (an essential component of bacterial cell walls) during division and growth, it thereby provokes lysis (destruction) of bacteria.

Amoxicillin is destroyed by β-lactamases, so its antibacterial activity does not apply to microorganisms that produce β-lactamases.

Acting as a competitive and in most cases irreversible inhibitor, clavulanic acid is characterized by the ability to penetrate bacterial cell walls and cause inactivation of enzymes that are located both inside the cell and at its border.

Clavulanate forms stable inactivated complexes with β-lactamases, and this in turn prevents the destruction of amoxicillin.

The antibiotic Augmentin is effective against:

After taking Augmentin orally, both active components included in its composition are quickly and completely absorbed from the digestive tract. Absorption is optimal if the tablets or syrup are taken during meals (at the beginning of the meal).

Both when taken orally and when Augmentin solution is administered intravenously, therapeutic concentrations of the active components of the drug are found in all tissues and interstitial fluid.

Both active components bind weakly to plasma proteins (up to 25% of amoxicillin trihydrate and no more than 18% of clavulanic acid bind to plasma proteins). Augmentin accumulation was not detected in any of the internal organs.

Amoxicillin is actively metabolized in the body and excreted by the kidneys, through the digestive tract and in the form of carbon dioxide along with exhaled air. From 10 to 25% of the received dose of amoxicillin is excreted by the kidneys in the form of penicillic acid, which is its inactive metabolite.

Clavulanate is excreted both by the kidneys and through extrarenal mechanisms.

Indications for use

Indications for the use of a combination of amoxicillin trihydrate and clavulanic acid are infections caused by microorganisms sensitive to the action of these substances.

Treatment with Augmentin is also allowed for infections caused by the activity of microorganisms sensitive to the action of amoxicillin, as well as mixed infections caused by bacteria sensitive to amoxicillin and bacteria that produce β-lactamase and are characterized by sensitivity to the combination of active substances of the drug.

On the Internet there are often questions “What are Augmentin tablets for? ” or “What does Augmentin syrup treat?”.

The scope of the drug is quite extensive. It is prescribed for the following infectious and inflammatory diseases:

Augmentin is often used for preventive purposes before major surgical operations on the head, neck, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, biliary tract, on organs located in the pelvic cavity, as well as during the procedure of implantation of internal organs.

Contraindications

Augmentin in all dosage forms is contraindicated:

  • patients with hypersensitivity to one or both active components of the drug, to any of its excipients, as well as to β-lactams (that is, to antibiotics from the penicillin and cephalosporin groups);
  • patients whose Augmentin therapy was preceded by episodes of jaundice or who had a history of functional liver disorders due to the use of a combination of active substances of the drug.

An additional contraindication to the use of powder for the preparation of an oral suspension with a dosage of active substances of 125 + 31.25 mg is PKU (phenylketonuria).

The powder used for the preparation of oral suspension with a dosage of active substances (200 + 28.5) and (400 + 57) mg is contraindicated:

  • with PKU;
  • patients with impaired renal function, in which the Rehberg test is below 30 ml per minute;
  • children under three months of age.
An additional contraindication to the use of tablets with a dosage of active substances (250 + 125) and (500 + 125) mg is age under 12 years and/or weight less than 40 kilograms.

Tablets with a dosage of active substances 875 + 125 mg are contraindicated:

  • if the functional activity of the kidneys is impaired (Rehberg test values ​​are below 30 ml per minute);
  • children under 12 years of age;
  • patients whose body weight does not exceed 40 kg.

Side effects

Side effects of Augmentin can occur in various systems and individual organs. The most common reactions that occur during treatment with the drug are:

  • candidiasis (thrush) of the skin and mucous membranes;
  • diarrhea (very often when taking Augmentin tablets, often when taking a suspension or administering the drug in injection form);
  • attacks of nausea and vomiting (nausea most often occurs when taking the drug in high doses).

Infrequently occurring side effects include:

In rare cases, the body may react to taking Augmentin:

Very rarely the following may develop:

  • hemolytic anemia;
  • conditions characterized by an increase in the duration of bleeding and an increase in the prothrombin index;
  • reactions from the immune system, which are expressed in the form of angioedema; a syndrome similar to that seen in serum sickness; anaphylaxis, allergic vasculitis;
  • reversible hyperactivity;
  • increased seizure activity;
  • colitis caused by taking antibiotics, including pseudomembranous (PMC) and hemorrhagic (the likelihood of developing the latter is reduced if Augmentin is administered parenterally);
  • keratinization and proliferation of filiform papillae located on the tongue (a disease known as “black “hairy” tongue”);
  • hepatitis and intrahepatic cholestasis;
  • Lyell's syndrome;
  • generalized exanthematous pustulosis in acute form;
  • interstitial nephritis;
  • the appearance of salt crystals in the urine (crystalluria).

If any dermatitis of an allergic nature occurs, treatment with Augmentin should be discontinued.

Instructions for use of Augmentin: method of application, dosage for adult patients and children

One of the most frequently asked questions from a patient is how to take this or that medicine - before or after meals. In the case of Augmentin, taking the drug is closely related to food intake. It is considered optimal to take the medicine immediately before meals.

Firstly, this ensures better absorption of active substances from the gastrointestinal tract, and, secondly, it can significantly reduce the severity of dyspeptic disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, if the latter occur.

How to calculate the dose of Augmentin

How to take Augmentin for adults and children, as well as its therapeutic dose, is determined depending on what microorganism is the causative agent, how sensitive it is to the effects of the antibiotic, the severity and characteristics of the disease, the location of the infectious focus, the age and weight of the patient, as well as how healthy the patient's kidneys are.

The duration of the course of therapy depends on how the patient's body responds to treatment.

Augmentin tablets: instructions for use

Depending on the content of active substances in them, Augmentin tablets are recommended for adult patients to take according to the following regimen:

  • Augmentin 375 mg (250 mg + 125 mg) - one three times a day. At this dosage, the drug is indicated for infections that occur in mild or moderately severe form. For severe diseases, including chronic and recurrent ones, higher doses are prescribed.
  • Tablets 625 mg (500 mg + 125 mg) - one three times a day.
  • Tablets 1000 mg (875 mg + 125 mg) - one twice a day.

The dose is subject to adjustment for patients with impaired renal function.

Extended release tablets Augmentin SR 1000 mg/62.5 mg are approved only for patients over 16 years of age. The optimal dose is two tablets twice a day.

If the patient cannot swallow a whole tablet, it is divided in two along the break line. Both halves are taken at the same time.

For patients with kidney disease, the drug is prescribed only in cases where the Rehberg test value exceeds 30 ml per minute (that is, when no adjustments are required to the dosage regimen).

Powder for solution for injection: instructions for use

According to the instructions, the solution is injected into a vein: by stream (the entire dose must be administered in 3-4 minutes) or by drip (infusion duration is from half an hour to 40 minutes). The solution is not intended for injection into the muscle.

The standard dose for adult patients is 200 mg. It is recommended to administer it every eight hours, and for complicated infections - every six or even four hours (according to indications).

An antibiotic in the form of a solution of 500 mg/100 mg or 1000 mg/200 mg is prescribed to prevent the development of an infectious process after surgery. In cases where the duration of the operation is less than one hour, it is sufficient to administer a single dose of Augmentin 1000 mg/200 mg to the patient before anesthesia.

If the operation is expected to last more than an hour, the patient is given up to four doses of 1000 mg/200 mg in the 24 hours preceding it.

Augmentin suspension: instructions for use

Instructions for use of Augmentin for children recommend the administration of a suspension of 125 mg/31.25 mg at a dose of 2.5 to 20 ml. The frequency of receptions is 3 during the day. The volume of a single dose depends on the age and weight of the child.

If the child is over two months of age, a suspension of 200 mg/28.5 mg is prescribed in a dose equal to 25/3.6 mg to 45/6.4 mg per 1 kg of body weight. The indicated dose should be divided into two doses.

A suspension with a dosage of active substances of 400 mg/57 mg (Augmentin 2) is indicated for use starting from one year. Depending on the age and weight of the child, a single dose varies from 5 to 10 ml. The frequency of receptions is 2 per day.

Augmentin EC is prescribed starting from 3 months of age. The optimal dose is 90/6.4 mg per 1 kg of body weight per day (the dose should be divided into 2 doses, maintaining a 12-hour interval between them).

Today, the drug in various dosage forms is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs for the treatment of sore throat.

For children with sore throat, Augmentin is prescribed in a dose that is determined based on the child’s body weight and age. For angina in adults, it is recommended to use Augmentin 875 + 125 mg three times a day.

Augmentin is also often prescribed for sinusitis. Treatment is supplemented by rinsing the nose with sea salt and using nasal sprays such as Rinofluimucil. Optimal dosage for sinusitis: 875/125 mg 2 times a day. The course duration is usually 7 days.

Overdose

Exceeding the dose of Augmentin is accompanied by:

When such symptoms appear, the patient is indicated for symptomatic therapy, which also includes correction of the disturbed water-salt balance. The removal of Augmentin from the circulatory system is also facilitated by hemodialysis.

Interaction

  • helps reduce tubular secretion of amoxicillin;
  • provokes an increase in the concentration of amoxicillin in the blood plasma (the effect persists for a long time);
  • does not affect the properties and levels of clavulanic acid in the blood plasma.

The combination of amoxicillin with allopurinol increases the likelihood of developing allergies. There is no data on the interaction of allopurinol simultaneously with the two active components of Augmentan.

Augmentin affects the microflora contained in the intestinal tract, which provokes a decrease in the reabsorption (reverse absorption) of estrogens, as well as a decrease in the effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives.

The drug is incompatible with blood products and protein-containing liquids, including whey protein hydrolysates and fat emulsions intended for intravenous administration.

If Augmentin is prescribed simultaneously with antibiotics of the aminoglycoside class, the drugs should not be mixed in the same syringe or any other container before administration, as this leads to inactivation of the aminoglycosides.

Terms of sale

Storage conditions

The originally packaged drug is stored at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C. The suspension should be stored at a temperature of 2-8°C (optimally in the refrigerator) for no more than 7 days.

Best before date

Suitable for use within 2 years from the date of manufacture.

Augmentin's analogues

Each of the above drugs is something that can replace Augmentin in its absence.

The price of analogues varies from 63.65 to 333.97 UAH.

Augmentin for children

Augmentin is widely used in pediatric practice. Due to the fact that it has a children's release form - syrup, it can even be used to treat children under one year old. The fact that the medicine has a pleasant taste also makes it much easier to take.

For children, antibiotics are most often prescribed for sore throat. The dosage of the suspension for children is determined depending on age and weight. The optimal dose is considered to be a dose equal to 45 mg/kg per day, divided into two doses, or a dose equal to 40 mg/kg per day, divided into three doses.

How children take the drug and the frequency of doses depends on the prescribed dosage form.

For children whose body weight is more than 40 kg, Augmentin is prescribed in the same doses as for adult patients.

Augmentin syrup for children under one year of age is used in dosages of 125 mg/31.25 mg and 200 mg/28.5 mg. A dosage of 400 mg/57 mg is indicated for children over one year of age.

Children in the age category of 6-12 years (weighing more than 19 kg) can be prescribed both suspension and Augmentin tablets. The dosage regimen for the tablet form of the drug is as follows:

  • one tablet 250 mg + 125 mg three times a day;
  • one tablet 500 + 125 mg twice a day (this dosage form is optimal).

Children over 12 years of age are prescribed to take one tablet 875 mg + 125 mg twice a day.

In order to correctly measure the dose of Augmentin suspension for children under 3 months of age, it is recommended to draw the syrup with a syringe with a marking scale. To facilitate the use of the suspension in children under two years of age, it is allowed to dilute the syrup with water in a ratio of 50/50

Alcohol compatibility

Augmentin and alcohol are theoretically not antagonists; under the influence of ethyl alcohol, the antibiotic does not change its pharmacological properties.

If during treatment with the drug there is a need to drink alcohol, it is important to observe two conditions: moderation and expediency.

For people suffering from alcohol dependence, simultaneous use of the drug with alcohol can have more serious consequences.

Systematic alcohol abuse provokes various disorders in the liver. For patients with a diseased liver, the instructions recommend prescribing Augmentin with extreme caution, since it is extremely difficult to predict how the diseased organ will behave in attempts to cope with the xenobiotic.

Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary risks, it is recommended to abstain from drinking alcohol during the entire period of treatment with the drug.

Augmentin during pregnancy and lactation

Like most antibiotics of the penicillin group, amoxicillin, distributed in the tissues of the body, also penetrates into breast milk. Moreover, trace concentrations of clavulanic acid may even be found in milk.

However, no clinically significant negative effect on the child’s condition is observed. In some cases, the combination of clavulanic acid with amoxicillin can cause diarrhea and/or candidiasis (thrush) of the mucous membranes in the oral cavity in an infant.

Augmentin belongs to the category of drugs approved for breastfeeding. If, however, during the mother's treatment with Augmentin, the child develops certain undesirable side effects, stop breastfeeding.

Animal studies have shown that the active substances of Augmentin are able to penetrate the blood-placental (BPB) barrier. However, no negative effects on fetal development were identified.

Moreover, there were no teratogenic effects with both parenteral and oral administration of the drug.

The use of Augmentin in pregnant women can potentially lead to the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in the newborn infant.

Like all other medicines, Augmentin is not recommended for pregnant women. During pregnancy, its use is permissible only in cases where, according to the doctor's assessment, the benefits to the woman outweigh the potential risks to her child.

Reviews about Augmentin

Reviews of Augmentin tablets and suspensions for children are mostly positive. Many people rate the drug as an effective and trustworthy remedy.

On forums where people share their impressions of certain drugs, the average antibiotic rating is 4.3-4.5 out of 5 points.

Reviews about Augmentin left by mothers of small children indicate that the product helps to quickly cope with such common childhood illnesses as bronchitis or tonsillitis. In addition to the effectiveness of the drug, mothers also note its pleasant taste, which children like.

The product is also effective during pregnancy. Despite the fact that the instructions do not recommend treating pregnant women with the drug (especially in the 1st trimester), Augmentin is often prescribed in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

According to doctors, the main thing when treating with this drug is to maintain the accuracy of the dosage and follow all the recommendations of your doctor.

Augmentin price

The price of Augmentin in Ukraine varies depending on the specific pharmacy. At the same time, the cost of the drug is slightly higher in pharmacies in Kyiv, tablets and syrup in pharmacies in Donetsk, Odessa or Kharkov are sold at a slightly lower price.

Tablets 625 mg (500 mg/125 mg) are sold in pharmacies, on average, UAH. The average price of Augmentin tablets is 875 mg/125 mg UAH.

You can buy an antibiotic in the form of a powder for preparing an injection solution with a dosage of active substances of 500 mg/100 mg, on average; average price of Augmentin 1000 mg/200 mg UAH.

Price of Augmentin suspension for children:

400 mg/57 mg (Augmentin 2) – 65 UAH;

200 mg/28.5 mg – 59 UAH;

600 mg/42.9 mg – 86 UAH.

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Nina: I was on pills for a year and a half, then somehow everything calmed down. Mostly climatefit.

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Source: http://medside.ru/augmentin