Drug name: Brand Augmentin

Active substance: amoxicillin and clavulanic acid

Pharmacological effects: Augmentin contains two active ingredients amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Amoxicillin is a beta-lactam penicillin antibiotic that interferes with the production of bacterial cells wall. Amoxicillin inhibits the biosynthesis of certain ferments that are essential for the production of structural proteins of the cells wall. Amoxicillin is not effective against bacteria that produces beta-lactamase. Beta-lactamases are substances that break down beta-lactam ring of Amoxicillin making it ineffective.

Another active ingredient of Augmentin is clavulanic acid that works by preventing amoxicillin from being breaking down. Clavulanic acid binds to certain proteins of beta-lactamase making them reactionless.

Indications: Augmentin is prescribed in infections caused by susceptible to amoxicillin gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including bacteria that produce beta-lactamase:

• ENT infections(ear, nose and throat infections)
• Infections of the urogenital system both in women and men
• Infection that affects skin and soft tissue
• Lower respiratory system infections
• Infections of the digestive system

Augmentin is ineffective in viral infections

Warnings and Precautions: The drug should not be used in the following conditions:

• Hypersensitivity to any components of the preparations.
• Known allergy to penicillin antibiotics
• Liver and kidney diseases
• Phenylketonuria
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding

Let your health care provide know if you have any of the conditions:

• Mononucleosis
• Diarrhea related to drug therapy
• Candida infection

You should take Augmentin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking Augmentin if it seems that infection is eliminated.

Side effects: Drugs may cause side-effects which in specific patients may manifest differently. In the following paragraph we want to underline the most serious and frequent side-effect of Augmentin that were identified by the drug manufacturers. The possibility of the adverse effect manifestation depends only on the individual and his specific traits. The most common Augmentin side effects include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Sign of liver damage
• Candida infections

For full information on any risks and adverse effects associated with Augmentin, please consult your doctor, read the included leaflet or contact our customer support service.

Interactions: Before using Augmentin please tell your doctor which drugs or supplements you are already taking including those bought without a prescription. Also check if any additional medicine which you will take during the course of Augmentin therapy are safe in combination. Especially mention if you are taking the following groups of drugs:

• Oral birth control pills. Augmentin makes birth control pills less effective
• Allopurinol. Allopurinol in combination with Augmentin increases the risk of skin rash
• Methotrexate. Augmentin increases methotrexate blood levels.
• Thyroid vaccine. Augmentin may lower the effecticiency of thyroid vaccines
• Probenicid may cause Augmentin high blood levels

Patients information: Augmentin is not to be shared with healthy individuals. It is strictly FORBIDDEN to use the drugs in treatment of any conditions unrelated to their indications. The product as well as utilized vials, syringes, needles if used during the course of treatment should be kept out of reach of children and never reused.