Augmentin (Amoxycillin and Clavulanic Acid 125mg/5ml)

Augmentin Oral Suspension general information

What is Augmentin Oral Suspension used for?

Augmentin Oral Suspension is a combination antibiotic used for short-term treatment for children age 3 months to 6 years, of a wide range of common bacterial infections caused by a variety of susceptible bacteria.  These include upper respiratory tract infections, such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media (ear infection); lower respiratory infections such as pharyngitis, and acute exacerbations of bronchitis and pneumonia; urinary tract infections such as cystitis and urethritis, pyelonephritis and female genital infections; soft tissue and skin infections, such as impetigo, folliculitis and cellulitis; bone and joint Infections, such as osteomyelitis.  Other infections that Augmentin Oral Suspension is used for include peritonitis, septicaemia and post-surgical infections. 

How does Augmentin Oral Suspension work?

Augmentin Oral Suspension contain a combination of two antibiotics.  Amoxycillin is as an antibiotic similar to penicillin and belongs to the beta-lactam group of antibiotics, which block the formation of the bacterial cell wall and this kills the bacteria.  However, amoxycillin can be inactivated by an enzyme produced by bacteria called beta-lactamase, which makes those bacteria resistant to amoxycillin.  Clavulanic acid is an antibiotic structurally related to the penicillins that is able to inactivate a wide range of beta-lactamase enzymes commonly found in amoxycillin-resistant bacteria.  This dual action of Augmentin Oral Suspension provides a broad spectrum antibiotic and a beta-lactamase inhibitor, which extends the range of susceptible bacteria as well as helping to prevent drug resistance developing, allowing Augmentin Oral Suspension to combat infection and treat a wide range of symptoms caused by bacterial infections.  Augmentin Oral Suspension does not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.  

What does Augmentin Oral Suspension contain?

Augmentin Oral Suspension contains a combination of the active ingredients amoxycillin 125mg and clavulanic acid 31.25mg in powder form for oral suspension, which are antibiotics used to treat a wide range of common bacterial infections.  When reconstituted, each 5 mL contains amoxicillin trihydrate equivalent to 125 mg amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate equivalent to 31.25 mg clavulanic acid.  It also contains aspartame hydrated silica hypromellose silicon dioxide succinic acid xanthum gum orange dry flavour 2 golden syrup flavour orange flavour raspberry flavour.

Treating bacterial infection with Augmentin Oral Suspension

Augmentin Oral Suspension contains a combination of two antibiotics; amoxycillin, a penicillin-like antibiotic that belongs to the beta-lactam group of antibiotics and blocks the formation of the bacterial cell wall which kills the bacteria; and clavulanic acid, an antibiotic structurally related to the penicillins that is able to inactivate bacterial enzyme beta-lactamase enzymes commonly found in amoxycillin-resistant bacteria that inactivates amoxycillin.  This dual action means that Augmentin Augmentin Oral Suspension can be used to treat a wide range of common bacterial infections, including sinusitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, infections of the skin, peritonitis, septicaemia and post-surgical infections, which are caused by a variety of susceptible bacteria.  Augmentin Oral Suspension is suitable for children age 3 months to 6 years. 

What are the side effects of Augmentin Oral Suspension?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Augmentin Oral Suspension include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, oral and vaginal thrush.

When should Augmentin Oral Suspension not be used?

You should not use Augmentin Oral Suspension if your child:

• is allergic to amoxycillin or any other beta-lactams antibiotic, including cephalosporins; or clavulanic acid or any ingredients in Augmentin Oral Suspension
• has had hepatitis, jaundice or liver problems after previously taking Augmentin
• has had infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever)
• has kidney disease
• has phenylketonuria as Augmentin Oral Suspension contains aspartame, which is a source of phenylalanine
• is taking medicines that interact with Augmentin Oral Suspension including the anticoagulant warfarin. probenecid and allopurinol for gout

How should Augmentin Oral Suspension be taken?

Make up the Augmentin Oral Suspension by following the instructions provided.  Add 92 mL water and shake well to form a suspension containing 125 mg amoxicillin/31.25 mg clavulanic acid per 5ml.  Before administering each dose, shake the bottle again.  You should give the correct dose to your child three times a day before a meal.

The dose to be taken depends on the child’s age and is as follows:

• Children 2 - 6 years: 5 mL; for severe infections this may be increased to 10 mL
• Children 9 months - 2 years: 2.5 mL
• Children 3 - 9 months: 1.25 mL

You should continue to give Augmentin Oral Suspension to your child for as long as recommended by your doctor, which is usually no longer than 14 days for the full treatment.  You should not stop giving Augmentin Oral Suspension to your child before the full course prescribed is complete, even if your child feels better, otherwise the infection may not clear completely or symptoms may return.

How long should Augmentin Oral Suspension be taken?

You should continue to give Augmentin Oral Suspension to your child for as long as recommended by your doctor, which is usually no longer than 14 days for the full treatment.  You should not stop giving Augmentin Oral Suspension to your child before the full course prescribed is complete, even if your child feels better, otherwise the infection may not clear completely or symptoms may return.

Missed dose of Augmentin Oral Suspension

If you miss a dose of Augmentin Oral Suspension give it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not give a double dose.

How should Augmentin Oral Suspension be stored?

You should store your Augmentin Oral Suspension once the powder is reconstituted in water refrigerated between below 2-8°C and use within 7 days.  Do not freeze.