Augmentin

Augmentin, with generic name amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium, is a drug which serves to treat middle ear, urinary tract, lower respiratory, skin and sinus infections which are brought about by specific bacteria. Such bacteria tend to produce the chemical enzyme beta lactamase, which causes difficulty in addressing certain infections.

Augmentin ES-600 is an oral suspension version of the medication. This stronger form is usually prescribed as treatment of some ear infections in young children which have been unresponsive to previous treatments. Augmentin XR, on the other hand, is taken by patients for the treatment of sinus infections and pneumonia. This comes as an extended-release drug.

Patients who have allergies to either cephalosporin antibiotics or penicillin should discuss the use of Augmentin with their doctors first. They may be allergic to Augmentin as well, and may experience severe reactions.

Those who have certain health issues like kidney, blood, or liver diseases have an increase risk if they take Augmentin. They should consult their doctors about possible alternatives. Patients who suffer from diarrhea while on Augmentin should inform their doctors about it. This could be a symptom of a potentially hazardous inflammation of the bowel. Certain Augmentin formulations have phenylalanine. Those who are suffering from a hereditary condition known as phenylketonuria should make sure their doctors recommend the use of Augmentin despite their condition. As with most other antibiotics, the use of Augmentin may decrease the efficiency of contraceptives or birth control pills. Hence, patients taking the pills may want to think about using additional measures.

The impact of the medication on pregnant women and their unborn babies has not been fully established. But since there is the risk of causing harm to the unborn babies, pregnant women are mostly advised to take Augmentin only when it has been made sure that the benefits of the medication outweigh the possible dangers. The drug is also known to appear in human milk and may cause harm to the breastfed baby. If Augmentin is necessary to the mother’s health, the doctor may recommend her to stop breastfeeding her baby until after the treatment with the drug.

Two Augmentin 500mg tablet daily, taken twelve hour apart, or four 250mg tablets, taken 8 hours apart, are the usual dosages among adults. To treat infections which are more severe in nature, particularly those involving the respiratory tract, dosage is usually two Augmentin 875 mg tablets daily, taken 12 hours apart, or four 500 mg tablets, taken 8 hours apart. It is crucial that these medicines are taken according to how they are prescribed by the doctor. Children older than 3 months and those younger than that have varied doses. Moreover, the use of Augmentin XR in patients below 16 years old is discouraged since studies have not been done in this particular group.

Augmentin drug is known to be generally safe. However, amounts larger than those recommended may lead to overdose. Symptoms include: abdominal and stomach pains, diarrhea, vomiting, kidney problems, rash, overactivity, and drowsiness. Those who feel that they have overdosed should seek medical attention at once.

Augmentin side effects are usually temporary and very minor. These include the following: vaginal thrush, diarrhea, vomiting, oral thrush, and nausea. Although the more serious side effects of the medication are very rare, some patients may experience them. Patients who experience unusually persistent and worsening side effects require immediate medical attention.

The efficiency of Augmentin greatly depends on how well the patient has adhered to the prescription or instructions of the doctor. Otherwise, like any other medication, the infection will not only respond to the medication but may worsen as well. Hence, success of treatment does not depend on the drug alone.