Amoxicillin-clavulanate

Information about Amoxicillin-clavulanate

The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate is an oral antibiotic widely used in the treatment of mild-to-moderate bacterial infections including sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis media, cellulitis and community acquired pneumonia. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is currently the most common cause of clinically apparent, drug induced acute liver injury both in the United States and Europe.

Mechanism of action of Amoxicillin-clavulanate

The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate is a commonly used antibiotic which is active against many bacterial organisms that cause sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis media, skin and tissue infections and community acquired pneumonia. The combination consists of amoxicillin which is a semisynthetic, third generation penicillin and clavulanate which is a beta lactam that acts as an inhibitor of beta lactamase, the major bacterial enzyme responsible for penicillin resistance.

FDA approval information for Amoxicillin-clavulanate

Amoxicillin-clavulanate was approved for use in the United States in 1984 and, currently, 2 to 5 million prescriptions are filled yearly, making it one of the most common antibiotic regimens used. Current indications are for mild-to-moderate bacterial infections due to known or suspected penicillinase resistant gram positive or gram negative organisms.

Dosage and administration for Amoxicillin-clavulanate

This combination is provided in multiple dose combinations, typically as 250 to 875 mg amoxicillin with 125 mg of clavulanate, given two to three times daily for 7 to 10 days. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is available in multiple generic formulations and under the brand name Augmentin.

Side effects of Amoxicillin-clavulanate

Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea and rash.

Penicillin antibiotics

• penicillins first generation (natural penicillins)
  • benzathine penicillin, procaine penicillin, penicillin g, penicillin v, penicillin vk

• penicillins second generation (penicillinase-resistant penicillins)
  • cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, flucloxacillin, methicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin

• penicillins third generation (aminopenicillins)
  • amoxicillin, ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, bacampicillin, pivampicillin
• see also amoxicillin-clavulanate

• penicillins fourth generation (extended-spectrum penicillins)
  • carbenicillin, mezlocillin, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, ticarcillin, ticarcillin-clavulanate

• Dailymed label info on Amoxicillin-clavulanate
• FDA Amoxicillin-clavulanate

Amoxicillin-clavulanate Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia