Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that comes from a group of drugs called penicillins. Amoxicillin fights bacteria in the body.
Clavulanate potassium is a kind of clavulanic acid, which is similar to penicillin. Clavulanate potassium fights bacteria that is frequently resistant to penicillins and other antibiotics.
Amoxicillin Clavulanate
The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium is used to treat many different infections triggered by bacteria, such as sinusitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and infections of the skin.
Crucial info
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amoxicillin or clavulanate potassium, or if you have ever had actually liver issues caused by this medication.
Do not use amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium if you dislike other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Dispermox, Moxatag), ampicillin (Principen, Unasyn), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), or penicillin (Bicillin L-A, PC Pen VK, Pfizerpen), and others.
Before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, tell your doctor if you have liver disease (or a history of hepatitis or jaundice), kidney disease, or mononucleosis, or if you dislike a cephalosporin antibiotic, such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others.
If you switch from one tablet form to another (routine, chewable, or extended-release tablet), take only the brand-new tablet type and strength recommended for you. Amoxicillin and clavulanate may not be as reliable or could be hazardous if you do not use the specific tablet kind your doctor has actually prescribed.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can pass into breast milk and might damage a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without informing your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone approach of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to avoid pregnancy while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.
Prior to taking this medicine
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amoxicillin or clavulanate potassium, or if you have ever had actually liver issues caused by this medication.
Do not use amoxicillin and clavulanate if you dislike other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Dispermox, Moxatag), ampicillin (Principen, Unasyn), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), or penicillin (Bicillin L-A, PC Pen VK, Pfizerpen)), and others.
To make sure you can safely take amoxicillin and clavulanate, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- liver disease (or a history of hepatitis or jaundice);
- kidney disease;
- mononucleosis; or
- if you are allergic to a cephalosporin antibiotic, such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium is not expected to be damaging to a coming baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or strategy to end up being pregnant during treatment.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can make contraceptive pill less reliable. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone approach of contraception (such as a prophylactic, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can pass into breast milk and might harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The liquid and chewable tablet types of this medication might include phenylalanine. Talk with your doctor prior to utilizing these forms of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
How should I take amoxicillin and clavulanate?
Take amoxicillin and clavulanate precisely as recommended by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities or for longer than suggested. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
If you change from one tablet type to another (regular, chewable, or extended-release tablet), take just the new tablet kind and strength recommended for you. The strength of clavulanate potassium is not the same among the different tablet kinds, despite the fact that the amount of amoxicillin might be the exact same as in the tablet you were utilizing before. Amoxicillin and clavulanate may not be as effective or might be damaging if you do not use the exact tablet type your doctor has recommended.
Take amoxicillin and clavulanate with a full glass of water.
Take the medicine at the start of a meal to reduce indigestion.
Take amoxicillin and clavulanate at the very same time every day.
The Augmentin tablet need to be swallowed whole.
The Augmentin Chewable tablet need to be chewed before swallowing. Do not swallow a chewable tablet whole.
Do not squash or chew the Augmentin XR (extended-release) tablet. Swallow the tablet whole, or break the pill in half and take both halves one at a time. If you have problem swallowing an entire or half pill, talk with your doctor about utilizing another kind of amoxicillin and clavulanate.
Shake the liquid kind of this medication well right before you measure a dosage. To be sure you get the proper dosage, determine the liquid with a significant measuring spoon or medication cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Take this medication for the full proposed length of time. Your symptoms may enhance prior to the infection is totally cleared. Skipping doses may likewise increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the cold or flu.
This medication can cause false outcomes with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are utilizing amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.
Store amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets at room temperature far from wetness and heat.
Shop the liquid in the fridge. Discard any unused liquid after 10 days.
What occurs if I miss out on a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you keep in mind. Skip the missed out on dosage if it is nearly time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed out on dosage.
What occurs if I overdose?
Look for emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose can cause queasiness, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, skin rash, sleepiness, and hyperactivity.
What should I prevent while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate?
Antibiotic medications can cause diarrhea, which might suggest a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, stop taking this medication and call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate side effects
Get emergency situation medical aid if you have any of these signs of an allergy to amoxicillin and clavulanate: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop utilizing this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a severe side effect such as:
- diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it;
- pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
- easy bruising or bleeding;
- skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weak point;
- agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or habits, seizure (convulsions);
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- severe skin reaction — fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads out (specifically in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Less serious amoxicillin and clavulanate side effects may include:
- moderate diarrhea, gas, stomach pain;
- queasiness or vomiting;
- headache;
- skin rash or itching;
- white patches in your mouth or throat; or
- vaginal yeast infection (itching or discharge)
This is not a total list of side effects and others might happen. Call your doctor for medical suggestions about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate dosing details
Adult Doses
Normal Adult Dose of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate potassium for Aspiration Pneumonia:
500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours
Therapy must be continued until the infiltrate is cleared or a residual scar types, in some cases for as long as 2 to 4 months, depending upon the nature and severity of the infection.
Normal Adult Dose for Bronchitis:
500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours for 7 to 10 days
Usual Adult Dose of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate potassium for Febrile Neutropenia:
Low-risk: 500 mg orally every 8 hours in mix with ciprofloxacin until the patient has actually been afebrile for at least 24 hours and the outright neutrophil count is more than 500 cells/mm3
Typical Adult Dose for Otitis Media:
250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days
For more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours might be administered.
Typical Adult Dose of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate potassium for Pneumonia:
Immediate release tablets: 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours
The period of therapy for pneumococcal pneumonia is 7 to 10 days. Pneumonia caused by other organisms might require approximately 21 days of therapy.
Prolonged release tablets: 2 g (2 tablets) orally every 12 hours for 7 to 10 days for community-acquired pneumonia
Typical Adult Dose for Pyelonephritis:
250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 14 days
For more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours might be administered.
Adult Dose of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate potassium for Sinusitis:
Immediate release tablets: 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days
For more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours may be administered. Longer courses of therapy, sometimes 3 or 4 weeks, may be required for refractory or reoccurring cases.
Prolonged release tablets: 2 g (2 tablets) orally every 12 hours for 10 days
Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:
250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 7 days, or for 3 days following resolution of severe swelling
For more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours might be administered. For more severe infections, such as diabetic soft tissue infections, 14 to 21 days of therapy may be required.
Normal Adult Dose of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate potassium for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection:
250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days
For more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours might be administered.
Typical Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection:
250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 3 to 7 days
For more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours may be administered.
Pediatric Doses
Usual Pediatric Dose of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate potassium for Otitis Media:
Less than 12 weeks:
125 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 10 days
3 months (12 weeks) or older:
Less than 40 kg:
125 mg/5 mL or 250 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 6.67 to 13.33 mg/kg orally every 8 hours for 10 days
200 mg/5 mL or 400 mg/5 mL oral suspension or chewable tablets: 12.5 to 22.5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 10 days
40 kg or more:
Immediate release tablets: 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours; for more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours may be administered
Reoccurring or relentless intense otitis media:
600 mg/5 mL oral suspension:
3 months or older:
Less than 40 kg: 45 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 10 days
40 kg or more: Data not available; other formulas are advised
Typical Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia:
Less than 12 weeks:
125 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
3 months (12 weeks) or older:
Less than 40 kg:
125 mg/5 mL or 250 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 6.67 to 13.33 mg/kg orally every 8 hours
200 mg/5 mL or 400 mg/5 mL oral suspension or chewable tablets: 12.5 to 22.5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
40 kg or more:
Immediate release tablets: 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours
Extended release tablets: 2 g (2 tablets) orally every 12 hours for 7 to 10 days for community-acquired pneumonia
Usual Pediatric Dose od Amoxicillin and Clavulanate potassium for Sinusitis:
Less than 12 weeks:
125 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
3 months (12 weeks) or older:
Less than 40 kg:
125 mg/5 mL or 250 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 6.67 to 13.33 mg/kg orally every 8 hours
200 mg/5 mL or 400 mg/5 mL oral suspension or chewable tablets: 12.5 to 22.5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
600 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 45 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
40 kg or more:
Immediate release tablets: 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours; for more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours may be administered
Prolonged release tablets: 2 g (2 tablets) orally every 12 hours for 10 days
Typical Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Infection:
Less than 12 weeks:
125 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
3 months (12 weeks) or older:
Less than 40 kg:
125 mg/5 mL or 250 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 6.67 to 13.33 mg/kg orally every 8 hours
200 mg/5 mL or 400 mg/5 mL oral suspension or chewable tablets: 12.5 to 22.5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
40 kg or more:
Immediate release tablets: 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours; for more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours might be administered
Typical Pediatric Dose of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate potassium for Urinary Tract Infection:
Less than 12 weeks:
125 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
3 months (12 weeks) or older:
Less than 40 kg:
125 mg/5 mL or 250 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 6.67 to 13.33 mg/kg orally every 8 hours
200 mg/5 mL or 400 mg/5 mL oral suspension or chewable tablets: 12.5 to 22.5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
40 kg or more:
Immediate release tablets: 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours; for more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours might be administered
Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin and Structure Infection:
Less than 12 weeks:
125 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
3 months (12 weeks) or older:
Less than 40 kg:
125 mg/5 mL or 250 mg/5 mL oral suspension: 6.67 to 13.33 mg/kg orally every 8 hours
200 mg/5 mL or 400 mg/5 mL oral suspension or chewable tablets: 12.5 to 22.5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
40 kg or more:
Immediate release tablets: 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours; for more severe infections, 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg orally every 12 hours might be administered
Usual Pediatric Dose for Melioidosis:
8 years or more youthful: Amoxicillin-clavulanate 30 mg/kg -15 mg/kg daily plus amoxicillin 30 mg/kg/day are advised after an initial 10 days of parenteral antibiotic therapy
Duration: 20 weeks
Also read: Amoxicillin Dosage Chart
What other drugs will impact amoxicillin and clavulanate?
Inform your doctor about all other medications you use, specifically:
- allopurinol (Zyloprim);
- probenecid (Benemid);
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or
- another antibiotic (for the same or for a various infection)
This list is not total and other drugs might interact with amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Inform your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
