Augmentin

Augmentin is a medication, used in the treatment of lower respiratory, middle ear, sinus, skin, and urinary tract infections that are caused by certain specific bacteria. These bacteria produce a chemical enzyme called beta lactamase that makes some infections particularly difficult to treat.


Medications and Prescriptions
Generic name: amoxicillin and clavulanic acid

Product Brand Name: Augmentin, Augmentin XR


Augmentin description
Why is this drug prescribed?
Augmentin is used in the treatment of lower respiratory, middle ear, sinus, skin, and urinary tract infections that are caused by certain specific bacteria which produce a chemical enzyme called beta lactamase, that makes some infections particularly difficult to treat. A stronger, oral-suspension form of the drug, Augmentin ES-600, is prescribed for certain stubborn ear infections that previous treatment has failed to clear up in children two and under, or those attending day care.

Most important fact about this drug:

Consult your doctor before taking Augmentin, if you are allergic to either penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics in any form. You may be allergic to it, and if a reaction occurs, it could be extremely severe. You should seek medical attention immediately, if you take the drug and feel signs of a reaction.
How should you take this medication?

Augmentin should be taken every 8 or 12 hours, depending on the dosage strength. Though it may be taken with or without food, taking it with meals or snacks will help prevent stomach upset. Ensure to take all the medicine your doctor has prescribed, even if you begin to feel better. Shake the suspension properly and use a dosing spoon or medicine dropper to give medication to a child. Rinse the spoon or dropper after each use.

If you fail to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, and you take 2 doses a day, take the one you missed and the next dose 5 to 6 hours later. If you take 3 doses a day, take the one you missed. Take the next dose 2 to 4 hours later and continue to your regular schedule.
Storage instructions:
The suspension is to be stored under refrigeration and to be discarded after 10 days. Keep the tablets away from heat, light, and moisture.

Augmentin side effects:
As side effects cannot be anticipated, inform your doctor immediately, if you experience any change in intensity. Only your doctor can ascertain if it is safe for you to continue taking Augmentin.

More common side effects may include diarrhea/loose stools, nausea, skin rashes and hives.
Less common side effects may include intestinal inflammation, itching, itching or burning of the vagina, joint pain, muscle pain abdominal discomfort, anemia, arthritis, black "hairy" tongue, blood disorders, fever, gas, headache, and indigestion, skin inflammation, skin peeling, sores and inflammation in the mouth and on the tongue and gums, stomach inflammation, vomiting, yeast infection.

Rare side effects may include:
Confusion, convulsions, dizziness, hyperactivity, insomnia, kidney problems, tooth discoloration, agitation, anxiety, behavioral changes, blood in the urine and change in liver function.

Why should this drug not be prescribed?

Do not take this drug if you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to any penicillin medication. Also avoid taking Augmentin if it has ever given you liver problems or yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Special warnings about this medication:

Though Augmentin and other penicillin-like medicines are generally safe, anyone with liver, kidney, or blood disorders is at increased risk when using this drug. Other choices may be available to your doctor. If you have diabetes and test your urine for the presence of sugar, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist if this medication will interfere with the type of test you use. Allergic reactions to this medication can be serious and possibly fatal. Inform your doctor about previous allergic reactions to medicines, food, or other substances before using Augmentin. Report to your doctor immediately and seek medical treatment if you experience a reaction. Also, if you develop diarrhea while taking Augmentin, inform your doctor. It could be a sign of a potentially dangerous form of bowel inflammation. Some formulations of Augmentin contain phenylalanine. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have hereditary disease phenylketonuria, before taking this drug.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication:

Augmentin may react with the antigout medication Benemid, resulting in changes in blood levels. It may cause a rash when used with another antigout drug, Zyloprim. If you are taking either of these drugs, inform your doctor. Like many antibiotics, Augmentin may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Additional measures need to taken while taking Augmentin.
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding:

It is not known about the effects of Augmentin during pregnancy. As there may be risk to the developing baby, doctors usually recommend Augmentin to pregnant women only when the benefits of therapy outweigh any potential danger. Since Augmentin appears in breast milk, it could affect a nursing infant. If Augmentin is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to stop nursing your baby until your treatment with this drug is finished.
Recommended dosage:
ADULTS:
Normal adult dosage is one 500-milligram tablet every 12 hours or one 250-milligram tablet every 8 hours. The dose should be one 875-milligram tablet every 12 hours or one 500-milligram tablet every 8 hours for more severe infections and infections of the respiratory tract. It is essential that you take this medicine according to your doctor's directions.
CHILDREN LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD:

Children in this age group are advised to consume 30 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day, divided into 2 doses and taken every 12 hours.
CHILDREN OLDER THAN 3 MONTHS:
For middle ear infections, sinus inflammation, lower respiratory tract infections, and more severe infections, the usual dose of the 200- or 400-milligram suspension is 45 milligrams per 2.2 pounds per day, in 2 doses, every 12 hours, and of the 125- or 250-milligram suspension, 40 milligrams per 2.2 pounds per day, in 3 doses, every 8 hours. For less severe infections, the usual dose is 25 milligrams of the 200- or 400-milligram suspension for each 2.2 pounds of weight per day, divided into 2 doses, every 12 hours, or 20 milligrams of the 125- or 250-milligram suspension per 2.2 pounds per day, divided into 3 doses, every 8 hours. The usual dosage of Augmentin ES-600 oral suspension is 90 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day, divided into 2 doses taken every 12 hours. Treatment lasts 10 days. Children who weigh 88 pounds or more will take the adult dosage of standard Augmentin.

Overdosage:
Though Augmentin is generally safe, large amounts may cause overdose symptoms. If an overdose of Augmentin is suspected, it must be treated immediately; contact your physician or an emergency room.

Symptoms of Augmentin overdose may include diarrhea, drowsiness, kidney problems, overactivity, rash, stomach and abdominal pain and vomiting.

It is required to consult your doctor before starting to take this medicine. You should not use it on your own initiative, without medical advice.





Augmentin notes:
Augmentin aids in curing lower respiratory, sinus, middle ear, skin, and urinary tract infections that are caused by certain specific bacteria. Augmantin duo tablets are also prescribed as usual dose for treating infections. It is necessary to follow Augmantin mg dose suggested by your doctor strictly. For middle ear infections and lower respiratory tract infections the usual augmentin dosage of the 200 or 400 mg suspension is 45 mg 2.2 pounds per day and of augmentin 125 mg or 250 mg suspension is 40 mg 2.2 pounds per day. 25 mg of the 200 or 400 mg suspension for each 2.2 pounds of weight per day is divided into 2 doses every 12 hours, or 20 mg of the 125 or 250 mg suspension per 2.2 pounds per day is divided into 3 doses every 8 hours for less severe infections. Severe respiratory tract infections demand one augmentin 875 mg tablet every 12 hours or one 500 mg tablet every 8 hours. This drug can also cure severe sinus inflammations apart from Augmentin infection diseases. The alcohol Augmentin relation says that taking alcohol with augmentin is not recommended.
More common augmentin effects are diarrhea, nausea, skin rashes and hives. Less common ones include anemia, blood disorders, gas, fever, headache, intestinal inflammation, indigestion, itching Abdominal discomfort, black "hairy" tongue, arthritis, itching or burning of the vagina, muscle pain, joint pain, skin inflammation, skin peeling, stomach inflammation, yeast infection and vomiting.