Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid
About
Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid belongs to a group of antibiotics known as penicillin antibiotics. It is generally prescribed to prevent middle ear and sinus infections, throat or lung respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, soft tissue infections, dental infections, and joint and bone infections.
Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid consists of two medicines: Amoxycillin and Clavulanic acid. Amoxycillin acts by destroying the outer protein layer, thereby killing the bacteria (bactericidal action). Clavulanic acid inhibits the enzyme beta-lactamase, which prevents bacteria from destroying the efficacy of amoxycillin. As a result, the action of Clavulanic acid allows Amoxycillin to work better and kill the bacteria. Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid does not work against infections caused by viruses, including colds and flu.
The dose of Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid can vary depending on your condition and the severity of the infection. Also, it is recommended to complete the course of medicine even if you feel better as it is an antibiotic, and leaving it in between may lead to even severe infection that will, in fact, stop responding to the antibiotic as well (antibiotic resistance). The common side effects of Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid include vomiting, nausea, and diarrhoea. Everyone may not experience the above side effects. In case of any discomfort, speak with a doctor.
Before starting Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy (against any antibiotic) or kidney or liver problems. Do not take Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid on your own as self-medication since it may lead to antibiotic resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid is safe for children if prescribed by a doctor; the dose and duration may vary depending on the child’s weight and the severity of the infection. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and about your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects.
Uses of Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid
Medicinal Benefits
Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that covers a very wide range of bacterial infections. Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid has Clavulanic acid, which protects amoxycillin from getting destroyed by the bacterial enzyme, thus increasing its efficacy. Besides this, it helps overcome antibiotic resistance in bacteria that is caused by the enzyme beta-lactamase. This makes the drug effective in multiple infections like ear infections (acute otitis media), bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections, etc.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
After taking Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid, if you have an allergy-like symptom, including rash, swelling of the face/lips/throat, difficulty breathing, or tight chest tightness, immediately contact your doctor. Do not take Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid if you have an allergy to Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid, penicillin or cephalosporin class of antibiotics. People with liver diseases or jaundice (yellowing of skin/eye) should not take Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid, as it can severely affect the liver. Consult your doctor before taking Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and about your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Caution should be exercised when Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid is administered in combination with gout medicine (allopurinol, probenecid), blood thinners (warfarin), anticancer, or anti-arthritis drug (methotrexate), and drug to prevent organ transplant (mycophenolate mofetil).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid taking eating high-fat meals as this may make it harder for your body to absorb Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People affected with liver disease (like jaundice), glandular fever (viral infection with fever and sore throat), or colitis (bowel disease that affects the large intestine, causing irritation, inflammation, and ulcers in the colon) should not take Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol during the treatment with Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid as it may worsen the side effects like dizziness.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorIf you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid. Your doctor will prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionThis medication passes into breast milk. If you are a nursing mother, consult your doctor before taking Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid. Your doctor will prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionAmoxycillin+clavulanic Acid may cause dizziness in some people, so it may affect your ability to drive. Avoid driving or operating machines until you are alert after taking Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid.
Liver
cautionAmoxycillin+clavulanic Acid to be taken with caution if you have a history of liver conditions. Your doctor may adjust the dose if necessary based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionAmoxycillin+clavulanic Acid to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney conditions. Your doctor may adjust the dose if necessary based on your condition.
Children
consult your doctorPlease consult the doctor. Your child's doctor will decide the dosage of this medicine depending on the weight and the severity of the infection.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fibre-rich foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics.
- Whole grains like whole-grain bread and brown rice should be included in your diet.
- Probiotics should be taken after taking a full course of Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid in order to restore some healthy bacteria in the intestines that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
- Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages with Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid as they can make you dehydrated and may affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid in fighting off infections.
Special Advise
- Even if you feel better after taking Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid, do not stop taking it until your doctor says so. This might cause the symptoms to reappear and make the infection difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance.
- Make sure you drink plenty of fluids when you are sick. This will, in general, help you clear out the infection faster, protect you from dehydration, and help you overcome some unpleasant side effects of taking Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid.
- Some people may be allergic to Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid or other penicillin or cephalosporin group of antibiotics. So a prior sensitivity test may be necessary. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any medicine, particularly antibiotics belonging to these groups.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply and infect the body. It can target any part of the body and multiply very quickly. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. You can experience generalised symptoms like fevers, chills, and fatigue when you get infected with bacteria. A few harmful bacteria commonly cause infections are Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Anyone can get a bacterial infection, but people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicines like steroids are more prone to infections.
FAQs
Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid contains Amoxycillin and Clavulanic acid. Amoxycillin works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell covering, which is necessary for the survival of the bacteria. Thus it kills the bacteria. Clavulanic acid works by decreasing bacterial resistance and enhancing the activity of amoxycillin against the bacteria. Together, Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid helps in treating bacterial infections.
Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid is known to cause stomach upset, indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea. To avoid these side effects, please take Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid with a meal. Also, Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid should be taken at evenly spaced intervals to avoid any unpleasant side effects and for best results.
Generally, the penicillin group of antibiotics is not advised to be taken with methotrexate, which is used for conditions like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. They may cause unpleasant side effects when taken together. However, Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid is relatively safer to take with methotrexate, but only if prescribed by the doctor. It is best to discuss with your doctor about using the two medicines together, who may weigh the pros and cons and decide what is best for you.
Usually, Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid does not cause jaundice. But sometimes, it can cause jaundice in elderly people who have been taking the medication for a prolonged time. Please consult your doctor immediately if you notice any yellowing of the skin/eyes.
Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid does not treat a viral infection like the flu or a common cold. It is best to consult the doctor to know if you need Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid for your condition.
Yes, after taking Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid, you may have diarrhea. So, drink plenty of fluids and take probiotics to prevent excessive loss of fluids from the body (dehydration). Do not take anti-diarrhea medicine on your own; consult your doctor if the condition worsens.
Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid is not known to reduce the efficacy of birth control pills and emergency contraceptive pills. However, if you develop diarrhea or vomiting due to Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid, you are recommended to use other contraceptive methods such as condoms along with contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Discuss with your doctor if you have any concerns regarding using Amoxycillin+clavulanic Acid and your birth control pills.
