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Suspension "Augmentin" for children: instructions for use

When choosing an antibiotic to treat any infection, preference is often given to drugs with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial action.

Table of contents:

One of them is Augmentin. For children, it is more convenient to give this medicine in liquid form. When is it prescribed to young children and how is the suspension prepared? Is the drug taken before or after meals? How long to treat a child? These and other questions interest every mother if her son or daughter has to take an antibiotic.

Release form

Augmentin, from which the suspension is prepared, is presented as a powder placed in a glass bottle. This powder has a white color and a characteristic odor, and after adding water it produces a white suspension, which separates during storage to form a white precipitate. The medicine is also available in injection form (it is intended for intravenous administration) and in coated tablets with different dosages (they can contain 250, 500 or 875 mg of antibiotic each).

Compound

Augmentin includes two active ingredients at once, thanks to which it has a wide range of effects on microorganisms:

  1. Amoxicillin. This antibiotic is presented in trihydrate form and is contained in 5 ml of the finished medicine at a dosage of 125 mg, 200 mg or 400 mg.
  2. Clavulanic acid. This compound is a potassium salt and the dosage of this acid is, depending on the dose of amoxicillin, 31.25 mg, 28.5 mg or 57 mg per 5 ml of suspension.

The ratio of these two components is represented by the proportion 4:1 and 7:1. Additionally, the bottle contains silicon dioxide, xanthan gum, hypromellose and succinic acid. For sweetness, aspartame is added to the preparation, and the smell of the suspension is provided by orange, raspberry and molasses flavors.

Operating principle

Amoxicillin in Augmentin has an antimicrobial effect on many types of microorganisms. It acts bactericidal, causing the death of bacteria due to inhibition of the synthesis of their cell walls. However, this antibiotic can be destroyed by beta-lactamases, so it cannot kill bacteria that produce such enzymes.

It is to prevent this destruction that clavulanic acid is present in the drug. It inactivates beta-lactamases, which makes even amoxicillin-resistant microbes sensitive to the suspension.

The drug is effective against:

  • Various types of staphylococci, including saprophytic and aureus.
  • Whooping cough sticks.
  • Various types of streptococci, including hemolytic, pyogenic and group B.
  • Nocardium.
  • Listeria.
  • Haemophilus influenzae.
  • Enterococci.
  • Helicobacter pylori.
  • Gonococcus.
  • Cholera vibrios.
  • Pasteurell.
  • Peptococci and peptostreptococci.
  • Moraxell.
  • Treponema pallidum.
  • Leptospira.
  • Borrelia.
  • Bacteroides.
  • Clostridium.
  • Fusobacterium.

The suspension may be powerless against E. coli, Proteus, Salmonella, Corynebacteria, Pneumococcus, Klebsiella and Shigella, so if infected with these microorganisms, it is recommended to first do a sensitivity test.

The drug is considered ineffective against infection with Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Morganella, Providence, Legionella, Hafnia, Pseudomonas, Yersinia, Chlamydia, Coxiella, Mycoplasma and Serracia. In addition, this medicine does not help with influenza, herpetic sore throat, ARVI, mononucleosis, chickenpox and other viral infections.

Indications

Augmentin in the form of a suspension is prescribed:

  • When bacteria damage the ENT organs and upper respiratory system, for example, with otitis media, sinusitis or recurrent tonsillitis.
  • For whooping cough or scarlet fever.
  • For exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, acute bronchitis, lobar pneumonia and other bacterial lesions of the lower respiratory tract.
  • For genitourinary infections, for example, urethritis or pyelonephritis.
  • For gonorrhea.
  • When infected with streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus of soft tissues or skin.
  • For bacterial infections of joints or bones.

At what age is it allowed to take it?

Augmentin is prescribed by pediatricians to children of any age, even infants. At the same time, suspensions with a dosage of amoxicillin of 200 mg or 400 mg per five milliliters do not give babies the first three months of life. Such medications are prescribed in children only from 3 months.

Contraindications

The drug should not be given to a child with hypersensitivity to any component of the suspension, or if allergic to other penicillin antibiotics or cephalosporins. Treatment is also prohibited for phenylketonuria, which is due to the presence of aspartame in the composition.

The medicine is prescribed very carefully to children who have impaired kidney function or liver disease. If infectious mononucleosis is suspected in a baby, the use of Augmentin may cause a measles-like rash.

Side effects

As a result of treatment with Augmentin, a child may develop:

  • Allergies in the form of itching, hives or rash.
  • Loose stools, as well as vomiting or nausea.
  • Worsening of the general blood test - a decrease in the level of platelets and leukocytes, sometimes agranulocytosis and anemia, as well as changes in the parameters of the coagulation system.
  • Candidiasis infection affecting mucous membranes or skin.
  • Increased activity of liver enzymes.
  • Headache or dizziness.

Very rare side effects of taking the suspension include Quincke's edema, anaphylaxis, nervous excitement, convulsions, inflammation of the intestines, stomatitis, discoloration of tooth enamel, nephritis and other negative phenomena. If they occur, stop treatment and immediately consult a doctor.

Instructions for use

To prepare the suspension, boiled and cooled to room temperature water in a certain amount is added to Augmentin powder. In a drug containing amoxicillin at a dose of 125 mg per 5 milliliters, you must first add 60 ml of water. Next, the medicine is shaken and left for 5 minutes, after which more water is added so that its total volume is approximately 92 ml.

If a suspension containing 200 or 400 mg of amoxicillin in five milliliters is used in treatment, then the powder is first mixed with 40 ml of water, and after five minutes a little more water is added to the bottle so that the total amount is approximately 64 ml.

In addition, treatment with the liquid form of Augmentin includes the following nuances:

  • Before each use, the medicine should be shaken so that the separated syrup becomes homogeneous.
  • The measuring cap that comes with the antibiotic bottle helps measure the exact dose of the medication. When the child has drunk the suspension, this cap is thoroughly washed with water.
  • For a child under two years of age, a single dosage of the drug can be further diluted with water 1:1.
  • The regimen of use and the calculation of a single dosage of the medicine are influenced by the child’s age and weight, as well as the condition of the kidneys and the severity of the infection.
  • To ensure that the active substances of the medication are optimally absorbed and the risk of side effects is reduced, it is recommended to take the medicine at the beginning of a meal. The suspension is given to infants during feeding.
  • How many days to take the drug is determined individually in each case, but the minimum course of treatment is considered to be 5 days. In addition, it is not advisable to give the suspension for longer than 14 days.
  • To prevent staining of your teeth, it is recommended that you brush them thoroughly several times a day.

Dosage

Babies in the first three months of life are given only a suspension, the active substances of which are presented in a 4:1 ratio (125 mg/31.25 mg).

To calculate the daily dose of medication, you need to know the baby's weight in kilograms. It is multiplied by 30 and the number of milligrams of amoxicillin is obtained. Dividing the resulting figure by 2, determine the single amount of ml of suspension, which is given to the child twice a day.

For a child aged 3 months to 12 years who weighs less than 40 kilograms, the suspension is dosed as follows:

  • The drug containing active compounds 125 mg/31.25 mg is given three times a day with an interval of 8 hours between doses.
  • A medicine containing active ingredients in an amount of 200 mg/28.5 mg or 400 mg/57 mg is prescribed twice a day, that is, such suspensions are taken twice a day.

If a child has an infection of soft tissues or skin, then Augmentin is prescribed in a low dose. It is represented by 20 mg per 1 kg of the baby’s weight per day for a suspension of 125 mg/31.25 mg/5 ml or 25 mg per day per kilogram of the child’s weight for suspensions with a proportion of active ingredients of 7:1. The same dosage is used for relapses of tonsillitis.

If Augmentin is used to treat otitis media, sinusitis, infections of the joints, genitourinary organs, lower respiratory tract or bones, high doses are used. This is 40 mg per 1 kilogram of the child’s body weight per day for a 4:1 suspension. If the baby is given the drug 7:1, then the dosage will be 45 mg per day per 1 kg of the patient’s weight. All calculations are performed using amoxicillin.

Children over 12 years of age and children weighing more than 40 kg are given 11 ml of a suspension containing 400 mg of amoxicillin and 57 mg of clavulanic acid. The drug is prescribed twice. It should be noted that for such patients it is more preferable to use the medicine in tablet form.

Overdose

If you exceed the dose of suspension prescribed by the doctor, this may disrupt the functioning of the child’s digestive system and affect the water and electrolyte balance in his body. It is also possible for crystals to form in the urine, which can cause an overdose to cause kidney failure. If the child has diseased kidneys, then exceeding the dose can cause seizures.

Interaction with other drugs

  • Combined use with antacids, laxatives or glucosamine impairs the absorption of amoxicillin.
  • When prescribed simultaneously with macrolides (for example, with Sumamed or Azitrox suspension), the effect of Augmentin will be weaker. The same effect is observed when combined with tetracyclines, sulfonamides, lincosamides and chloramphenicol.
  • The suspension can be used together with nitrofurans, for example, the drug Enterofuril.
  • Augmentin should not be given to a child together with allopurinol, as this combination can cause skin allergies.
  • When prescribed with anticoagulants (indirect), the effectiveness of these drugs will increase.
  • The drug is not prescribed together with methotrexate, since penicillins increase its toxicity.

Terms of sale

To buy powder at a pharmacy, you first need to get a prescription from a doctor. The price of one bottle depends on the dosage and can vary from 130 to 250 rubles.

Storage Features

An unopened bottle of powder can be stored until the end of its shelf life, which is 2 years, in a dry place away from children, where the temperature does not rise above +25 degrees. The drug diluted with water should be placed in the refrigerator, but the solution should not be allowed to freeze. The shelf life of liquid medicine is 7 days.

Reviews

Most of the parent reviews about Augmentin suspension are positive. Mothers note that this antibiotic helps cope with many infections and is well tolerated by most children. They confirm that the treatment begins to work quickly when there is a high fever, cough and other symptoms of infection. Within a few days from the start of treatment, the child’s condition improves.

Negative reviews complain about side effects of the drug, such as nausea or diarrhea. Pediatricians, including Komarovsky, speak mostly well of this antibacterial agent, but they emphasize that only a doctor should prescribe such a suspension to a child.

Analogs

You can replace liquid Augmentin with other drugs containing the combination of amoxicillin + clavulanic acid. Amoxiclav, Medoclav, Panclave 2X, Ecoclave, Augmentin EC are produced in the form of a suspension, and Amoxiclav Quiktab and Flemoklav Solutab are produced in the form of soluble tablets.

The doctor may also prescribe drugs based on amoxicillin to the child (Amosin suspension, Flemoxin Solutab tablets or Hiconcil suspension) or drugs in the form of a suspension from the cephalosporin group (Suprax, Pancef, Zinnat and others).

At the same time, only a pediatrician can decide what is best suited as a substitute for Augmentin. A good specialist will take into account the clinical picture and antibiotic sensitivity tests, and then prescribe the correct treatment.

In the following video, the popular children's doctor Komarovsky talks in detail about antibiotics, why they are needed and in what cases they are used.

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Source: http://www.o-krohe.ru/antibiotiki/suspenziya-augmentin/

Augmentin - what does an antibacterial agent help with?

Augmentin is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. It is active against most infectious agents that cause diseases of the respiratory tract, urinary system and gastrointestinal tract. Thanks to its combined composition, Augmentin prevents pathogenic microbes from developing resistance to antibiotics. The drug quickly and effectively stops the inflammatory process and prevents the infection from spreading to neighboring tissues and organs. At the first symptoms of a sore throat or pharyngitis, doctors immediately prescribe Augmentin, which significantly speeds up recovery.

Composition and release form

Manufacturers produce Augmentin in the form of a powder for the preparation of an injection solution or a sweet suspension and film-coated tablets. The drug contains two active ingredients:

The combination of these ingredients provides a wide therapeutic spectrum of use for Augmentin. The following chemical compounds were added to the suspension as auxiliary ingredients:

  • xanthan gum;
  • colloidal silicon dioxide;
  • succinic acid;
  • flavorings;
  • aspartame;
  • hypromellose.

These components are used to stabilize the prepared suspension and uniformly distribute the active ingredients in it. Young children often refuse to take medications, so Augmentin contains raspberry and caramel flavors.

The oblong tablets contain the following ingredients:

  • starch;
  • magnesium stearate;
  • silica;
  • macrogol 4000;
  • microcrystalline cellulose;
  • Dimethicone

Auxiliary components enhance the therapeutic properties of amoxicillin trihydrate and clavulanic acid, ensuring their rapid absorption by the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. And the durable shell is designed to protect the active ingredients from aggressive hydrochloric acid.

The drug Augmentin is available in various dosages. Depending on the age of the patient and the stage of the infectious process, the doctor prescribes tablets with different contents of the antibacterial compound - 250, 500 or 875 mg. The powder for preparing the suspension may contain 125, 200 or 400 mg of amoxicillin trihydrate.

Warning: “Although the tablets are scored, they are not intended to be split. When broken, the integrity of the protective shell is disrupted, which significantly reduces the therapeutic effectiveness of Augmentin.”

pharmachologic effect

Pharmacodynamics

Before prescribing antibiotics to patients, the doctor reviews the results of laboratory tests. Such studies help determine the type of infectious pathogen and its sensitivity to drugs. Microbes can form colonies for several days, and an adult or child needs help immediately. In such cases, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used, which includes Augmentin. It is able to quickly destroy the following pathogenic bacteria:

Amoxicillin trihydrate exhibits bactericidal activity. It prevents the synthesis of cell membranes of pathogenic pathogens. The growth and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria is disrupted, which leads to their death.

Harmful microorganisms live on the planet much longer than people. They have learned to adapt to various negative external factors, grow and reproduce in the most unfavorable environments. And even the invention of antibiotics is not able to completely destroy them. Moreover, microbes have learned to produce enzymes that weaken the bactericidal effect of the most modern drugs.

It is to weaken this bacterial activity that manufacturers added clavulanic acid to Augmentin. It is similar in structure to beta-lactamases - enzymes that infectious pathogens produce to protect themselves. Clavulanic acid prevents the destruction of antibiotics and preserves their physical, chemical and pharmacological properties.

Pharmacokinetics

About 30 minutes pass after taking the tablets or suspension when Augmentin begins to act. And after another half hour, the maximum therapeutic concentration of the antibiotic is detected in the systemic bloodstream. The rate of absorption of amoxicillin trihydrate is not affected by the presence of food in the gastrointestinal tract. Clavulanic acid penetrates the bloodstream faster if Augmentin is taken with food. The active ingredients of the drugs bind poorly to plasma proteins. Amoxicillin trihydrate and clavulanic acid are eliminated from the body in approximately 5-6 hours with each bladder emptying.

Indications for use

Augmentin in tablets, suspension and solution for injection is prescribed to patients in whose body there is an inflammatory process provoked by bacterial pathogens. The drug is used in the treatment of adults and children when diagnosing the following pathologies:

  • infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract - bronchitis, bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, inflammation and abscess of the lungs;
  • formed inflammatory foci in the oral cavity and (or) pharynx - sore throat, pharyngitis, stomatitis, tonsillitis;
  • chronic and acute sinusitis, otitis;
  • pathologies of the urinary system: cystitis, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, urethritis of infectious origin;
  • infections of the reproductive organs;
  • sexually transmitted diseases;
  • inflammatory processes in bone, joint or cartilage tissue.

Previously, regular Amoxicillin was used to treat such pathologies. But infectious agents quickly develop resistance to it, so upon repeated use, the therapeutic effectiveness can be significantly reduced. What is the difference between Amoxicillin and Augmentin is clearly demonstrated by the results of clinical studies. Pathogenic microorganisms do not develop resistance to the drug containing clavulanic acid.

Recommendation: “When choosing a dosage form of Augmentin, the age of the child should be taken into account. If a suspension with a minimum dosage can be used in the treatment of babies from 3 months, then tablets with 875 mg of amoxicillin trihydrate are prescribed only to children over 12 years of age.”

Contraindications and side effects

Like all antibacterial agents, Augmentin has various contraindications. The drug is not used in the treatment of patients with severe diseases of the liver and urinary system. Such pathologies provoke the accumulation of active substances in the human body, which can cause an overdose of Augmentin. Contraindications to the drug also include:

  • individual sensitivity to amoxicillin trihydrate or clavulanic acid, as well as auxiliary ingredients of tablets and suspensions;
  • mononucleosis of infectious etiology.

There is no evidence base for the manifestation of the teratogenic effect of Augmentin, since relevant clinical trials have not been conducted. Both amoxicillin trihydrate and clavulanic acid are able to penetrate the placental barrier. But the low toxicity and wide spectrum of action of the drug are taken into account when prescribing an antibacterial agent to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Augmentin therapy in these cases is carried out under strict medical supervision.

Neglecting medical recommendations or using the drug without a doctor’s prescription causes side effects:

  • allergic rashes such as urticaria;
  • peristalsis disorders - diarrhea or constipation;
  • excess gas, bloating, nausea and vomiting.

To reduce the severity of side effects of Augmentin in adults and children, doctors prescribe the simultaneous use of eubiotics containing lactobacilli - Lactobacterin, Linex, Acipol.

Advice: “If side effects develop, you should stop taking the drug and consult your doctor. He will adjust the dosage or replace Augmentin with another drug.”

Distinctive features

The question of which is better, Augmentin or Amoxicillin, often arises among patients. The combined product is much more expensive, and the package contains fewer tablets. The high cost is explained by the high therapeutic effectiveness of the drug and the presence of special auxiliary ingredients. For a complete recovery, you will have to take several packs of Amoxicillin, which has numerous contraindications and side effects.

If you choose the right dosage form of Augmentin, it is enough for a full therapeutic course. Clavulanic acid enhances the effect of the antibiotic, which allows you to reduce its dosage and avoid the appearance of unwanted symptoms of dysbiosis. If a doctor prescribes this combination drug, you should not try to save money and purchase cheap analogues.

But perhaps it would be more correct to treat not the effect, but the cause?

We recommend reading the story of Olga Kirovtseva, how she cured her stomach. Read the article >>

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  • Nadezhda 03/21/2018

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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. 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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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.

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