Amoxicillin and Clavulanate - Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Drug Warnings, and Precautions

Overview:

Amoxicillin and Clavulanate is a prescription oral antibiotics used to treat and prevent various bacterial infections like lower respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, community-acquired pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The active ingredient in Amoxicillin and Clavulanate is a combination of drugs Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium. It is available as an oral tablet and in suspension form. Do not take this drug if there is a known history of allergy or hypersensitivity to Amoxicillin, Clavulanate, or other drug components. On administering the medication, report to the doctor immediately if rashes or blisters appear on the skin.

Drug Group:

Amoxicillin and Clavulanate is a combination of two antibiotics. These drugs are generally classified as antimicrobials. Amoxicillin belongs to the class of antimicrobials called penicillin antibiotics, and Clavulanate Potassium comes under Beta-Lactamase inhibitors. Amoxicillin inhibits bacterial growth, and Clavulanate Potassium inactivates the enzymes in bacteria that destroy Amoxicillin. The other drugs with similar drug combinations include Piperacillin or Tazobactam, Ampicillin or Sulbactam, Ticarcillin or Clavulanate, etc.

What Is Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Used For?

Amoxicillin and Clavulanate is an antibacterial medication used to treat:

• Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinus).

• Lower respiratory tract infections.

• Urinary tract infections.

• Acute otitis media (infection of the middle ear).

• Community-acquired pneumonia.

• Impetigo (contagious skin infection).

Amoxicillin and Clavulanate or any antibiotic will not work for infections (cold, flu) caused by viruses. Never take Amoxicillin and Clavulanate or any other medicine without consulting the doctor first.

How Does Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Work?

The mechanism of action of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate is by inhibiting the cell wall synthesis in bacteria. Amoxicillin binds to penicillin-binding proteins in the cell wall of the bacteria. These proteins bear the stress of the bacterial cell wall and maintain its integrity which is crucial for the bacteria to survive.

Now, bacteria have enzymes within themselves to destroy these Penicillin antibiotics called beta-lactamase enzymes. They can act upon Amoxicillin and destroy it, thus eliminating its effect. Clauvulante counters this effect by acting on these enzymes and inhibiting their action. Therefore, in this combination of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate, Amoxicillin kills the bacteria without being inactivated by the beta-lactamase enzymes.

Onset of Action:

Amoxicillin and Clavulanate combination is well absorbed upon oral administration. Over 85 % (Amoxicillin) and 75 % (Clavulanate) of the drug reach the blood circulation. The drug reaches its maximum concentration in blood in 60 to120 minutes post-administration. It is excreted mainly through the kidneys, and around 50 to 70 % of Amoxicillin and 25 to 4 % of Clavulanate are excretion through urine.

In short, the onset of action for Amoxicillin and Clavulanate is between one to two hours after oral administration. And the action may last as long as eight to ten hours.

Habit-Forming:

No habit-forming tendencies have been reported in people taking Amoxicillin and Clavulanate.

Expiry Date:

Do not continue using the medication after its expiry date, which will be available on the back of the drug packet.

What Is the Dosage of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate?

The dosing of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate will be based on the severity of the condition and the response to the therapy. Doses may be adjusted accordingly by the physician. Hence, follow the instructions carefully.

The medication is available in the following doses:

• Oral Tablet: (Amoxicillin - Clavulanate Potassium) 250 mg /125 mg , 500mg/125 mg, and 875mg/125mg.

• Oral Powder for Suspension: (Amoxicillin - Clavulanate Potassium) 125 mg/5 ml-31.25 mg/5 ml, 250 mg/5 ml-62.5 mg/5 ml.

• Extended- Release Oral Tablet: (Amoxicillin - Clavulanate Potassium)100 mg/62.5 mg.

The doctor will adjust the dosage for children and patients with kidney and liver disease.

How to Use Amoxicillin and Clavulanate?

1. Oral Tablet: Have the medication as a whole with a glass of water.

2. Extended Tablets: Do not chew or crush the extended-release pills; swallow them whole.

3. Oral Suspension: Give the solution a good shake to evenly distribute the medication before use.

General Information:

• Take the medication at the start of the meal; absorption of the medication may be decreased on an empty stomach.

• Ask the doctor or pharmacist to explain instructions on the prescription label in case of any queries, and carefully follow them.

• Never take it in larger or fewer amounts or more frequently than directed by the doctor.

• Even if symptoms are reduced, continue the medication until the prescription is finished. The illness might not completely heal, and the bacteria might develop antibiotic resistance if the drug is stopped unless instructed by the doctor or if doses are skipped.

Missed Dose:

While on therapy on Amoxicillin and Clavulanate, in case a dose is missed, take it as soon as it is remembered. But if it is already time for the next dose, do not take two tablets together, as it might result in severe adverse reactions. Just skip the missed dose and take the next dosage.

Overdose:

If the medication is taken more than the recommended dosage, symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hyperactivity may be present. In case of an overdose, seek emergency help or call the local poison control center immediately.

What Are the Contraindications of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate?

Amoxicillin and Clavulanate combination is contraindicated (use strictly to be avoided) in the following conditions:

• Allergy to the medication or its components.

• Hemodialysis (for extended-release tablets).

• Kidney impairment.

• Liver dysfunction.

• History of jaundice.

What Are the Drug Warnings and Precautions?

Inform the physician if any of the following conditions are present:

• Allergies: Inform the doctor or pharmacist if there is a known history of any other allergies before taking this medication, including those to Penicillin, Cephalosporin antibiotics, Amoxicillin, and Clavulanate, or any other components.

• Liver Disease: Dose adjustments may be required.

• Kidney Diseases: Dose adjustments may be required.

What Are the Side Effects of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate?

The common side effects of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate include

• Abdominal pain.

• Vomiting.

• Skin rash.

• Diarrhea.

These symptoms will go away on their own. But if they persist for longer periods, inform the physician immediately.

Some serious side effects include:

• Severe hives and itching skin rash.

• Breathing or swallowing difficulty.

• Wheezing.

• Itching and leaking from the vagina.

• Yellowing of skin and white of the eyes.

If any of the mentioned severe side effects are experienced, alert the doctor immediately.

This medication may occasionally result in severe intestinal illness due to the bacteria Clostridium difficile. This condition could develop during treatment or several weeks to months after it has ended. Call the doctor immediately if symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain, cramps, blood, or mucus in the stool are experienced.

What Are the Interactions of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate?

It is common for drugs to interact with other drugs, food, or supplements. These interactions may result in unwanted side effects of the drugs. Listed below are some common interactions of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate:

1. With Other Drugs:

• Chlortetracycline.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live.

• Demeclocycline.

• Desogestrel.

• Dienogest.

• Doxycycline.

• Drospirenone.

• Eravacycline.

• Estradiol.

• Ethinyl Estradiol.

• Ethynodiol.

• Gestodene.

• Levonorgestrel.

• Lymecycline.

• Meclocycline.

• Mestranol.

• Methacycline.

• Methotrexate.

• Minocycline.

• Mycophenolate Mofetil.

• Nomegestrol.

• Norethindrone.

• Norgestimate.

• Norgestrel.

• Omadacycline.

• Oxytetracycline.

• Rolitetracycline.

• Sarecycline.

• Sulfasalazine.

• Tetracycline.

• Tigecycline.

• Venlafaxine.

• Warfarin.

2. With Alcohol: Amoxicillin and Clavulanate does not interact with alcohol. Drinking in moderation is preferred while on this therapy.

3. With Food: Avoid taking this medication on an empty stomach.

4. With Diseases:

• Kidney Diseases: Dose adjustments may be required.

• Liver Diseases: Dose adjustments may be required.