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Amoxicillin
and Clavulanate Potassium |
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Pronunciation |
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(a
moks i SIL in & klav yoo LAN
ate poe TASS ee um) |

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U.S. Brand
Names |
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Augmentin® |

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Generic
Available |
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No |

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Canadian Brand
Names |
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Clavulin® |

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Synonyms |
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Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid |

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Pharmacological Index |
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Antibiotic, Penicillin |

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Use |
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Dental: Treatment of orofacial infections when beta-lactamase-producing
staphylococci and beta-lactamase-producing Bacteroides are present
Medical: Treatment of otitis media, sinusitis, and infections caused by
susceptible organisms involving the lower respiratory tract, skin and skin
structure, and urinary tract; spectrum same as amoxicillin with additional
coverage of beta-lactamase producing B. catarrhalis, H.
influenzae, N. gonorrhoeae, and S. aureus (not MRSA). The
expanded coverage of this combination makes it a useful alternative when
amoxicillin resistance is present and patients cannot tolerate alternative
treatments. |

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Pregnancy Risk
Factor |
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B |

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Contraindications |
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Known hypersensitivity to amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, or penicillin;
concomitant use of disulfiram |

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Warnings/Precautions |
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In patients with renal impairment, doses and/or frequency of administration
should be modified in response to the degree of renal impairment; high
percentage of patients with infectious mononucleosis have developed rash during
therapy; a low incidence of cross-allergy with cephalosporins exists; incidence
of diarrhea is higher than with amoxicillin alone. Hepatic dysfunction, although
rare, is more common in elderly and/or males, and occurs more frequently with
prolonged treatment. |

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Adverse
Reactions |
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1% to 10%:
Dermatologic: Rash, urticaria
Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Genitourinary: Vaginitis
<1%: Headache, abdominal discomfort, flatulence |

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Overdosage/Toxicology |
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Symptoms of penicillin overdose include neuromuscular hypersensitivity
(agitation, hallucinations, asterixis, encephalopathy, confusion, and seizures)
and electrolyte imbalance with potassium or sodium salts, especially in renal
failure
Hemodialysis may be helpful to aid in the removal of the drug from the blood,
otherwise most treatment is supportive or symptom directed |

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Drug
Interactions |
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Decreased effect: Efficacy of oral contraceptives may be reduced
Increased effect: Disulfiram, probenecid may increase amoxicillin levels,
increased effect of anticoagulants
Increased toxicity: Allopurinol theoretically has an additive potential for
amoxicillin rash |

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Stability |
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Discard unused suspension after 10 days; reconstituted oral suspension should
be kept in refrigerator; unit dose antibiotic oral syringes are stable for 48
hours |

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Mechanism of
Action |
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Clavulanic acid binds and inhibits beta-lactamases that inactivate
amoxicillin resulting in amoxicillin having an expanded spectrum of activity.
Amoxicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to one or more of
the penicillin binding proteins (PBPs); which in turn inhibits the final
transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in bacterial cell walls, thus
inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis. Bacteria eventually lyse due to ongoing
activity of cell wall autolytic enzymes (autolysins and murein hydrolases) while
cell wall assembly is arrested. |

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Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics |
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Amoxicillin pharmacokinetics are not affected by clavulanic acid
Distribution: Both distribute into pleural fluids, lungs, and peritoneal
fluid; high urine concentrations are attained; also into synovial fluid, liver,
prostate, muscle, and gallbladder; penetrates into middle ear effusions,
maxillary sinus secretions, tonsils, sputum, and bronchial secretions; crosses
the placenta; low concentrations occur in breast milk
Protein binding: 17% to 20%
Metabolism: Partial (Clavulanic acid is hepatically metabolized)
Half-life:
Neonates, full-term: 3.7 hours
Infants and Children: 1-2 hours
Adults with normal renal function: ~1 hour for both agents
Patients with Clcr <10 mL/minute: 7-21 hours
Time to peak: 2 hours (capsule) and 1 hour (suspension)
Elimination: Amoxicillin excreted primarily (80%) unchanged and clavulanic
acid is excreted 30% to 40% unchanged in the urine (lower in neonates)
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Usual Dosage |
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Oral:
Children >40 kg and Adults: 250-500 mg every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12
hours
Note: Augmentin® 200 suspension or chewable
tablets 200 mg dosed every 12 hours is considered equivalent to
Augmentin®"125" dosed every 8 hours;
Augmentin® 400 suspension and chewable tablets may be
similarly dosed every 12 hours and are equivalent to
Augmentin®"250" every 8 hours
Dosing interval in renal impairment:
Clcr 10-30 mL/minute: Administer every 12 hours
Clcr <10 mL/minute: Administer every 24 hours
Hemodialysis: Moderately dialyzable (20% to 50%)
Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid: Administer dose after dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis: Moderately dialyzable (20% to 50%)
Amoxicillin: Administer 250 mg every 12 hours
Clavulanic acid: Dose for Clcr <10 mL/minute
Continuous arteriovenous or venovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) effects:
Amoxicillin: ~50 mg of amoxicillin/L of filtrate is removed
Clavulanic acid: Dose for Clcr <10 mL/minute
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Dietary
Considerations |
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May be taken with meals or on an empty stomach; may mix with milk, formula,
or juice |

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Monitoring
Parameters |
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Assess patient at beginning and throughout therapy for infection; with
prolonged therapy, monitor renal, hepatic, and hematologic function
periodically; monitor for signs of anaphylaxis during first
dose |

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Test
Interactions |
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May interfere with urinary glucose tests using cupric sulfate (Benedict's
solution, Clinitest®); may inactivate aminoglycosides
in vitro |

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Mental Health: Effects
on Mental Status |
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Penicillins have been reported to cause apprehension, illusions, agitation,
insomnia, depersonalization, and encephalopathy |

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Mental Health:
Effects on Psychiatric
Treatment |
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Disulfiram may increase amoxicillin levels |

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Dental Health: Local
Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor
Precautions |
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No information available to require special precautions |

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Dental Health:
Effects on Dental Treatment |
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Prolonged use of penicillins may lead to development of oral
candidiasis |

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Patient
Information |
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Take entire prescription, even if you are feeling better. Take at equal
intervals around-the-clock; may be taken with milk, juice, or food. You may
experience nausea or vomiting (small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking lozenges, or chewing gum may help). If using oral contraceptives, use
additional contraceptive measures; amoxicillin may reduce effectiveness of your
oral contraceptive. Report rash; unusual diarrhea; vaginal itching, burning, or
pain; unresolved vomiting or constipation; fever or chills; unusual bruising or
bleeding; or if condition being treated worsens or does not improve by the time
prescription is completed. |

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Nursing
Implications |
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Two 250 mg tablets are not equivalent to a 500 mg tablet (both tablet sizes
contain equivalent clavulanate); potassium content: 0.16 mEq of potassium per
31.25 mg of clavulanic acid |

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Dosage Forms |
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Suspension, oral:
125 (banana flavor): Amoxicillin trihydrate 125 mg and clavulanate potassium
31.25 mg per 5 mL (75 mL, 150 mL)
200: Amoxicillin 200 mg and clavulanate potassium 28.5 mg per 5 mL (50 mL, 75
mL, 100 mL)
250 (orange flavor): Amoxicillin trihydrate 250 mg and clavulanate potassium
62.5 mg per 5 mL (75 mL, 150 mL)
400: Amoxicillin 400 mg and clavulanate potassium 57 mg per 5 mL (50 mL, 75
mL, 100 mL)
Tablet:
250: Amoxicillin trihydrate 250 mg and clavulanate potassium 125 mg
500: Amoxicillin trihydrate 500 mg and clavulanate potassium 125 mg
875: Amoxicillin trihydrate 875 mg and clavulanate potassium 125 mg
Tablet, chewable:
125: Amoxicillin trihydrate 125 mg and clavulanate potassium 31.25 mg
200: Amoxicillin trihydrate 200 mg and clavulanate potassium 28.5 mg
250: Amoxicillin trihydrate 250 mg and clavulanate potassium 62.5 mg
400: Amoxicillin trihydrate 400 mg and clavulanate potassium 57 mg
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References |
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American Thoracic Society,
"Guidelines for the Initial Management of Adults With Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Diagnosis, Assessment of Severity, and Initial Antimicrobial Therapy,"
Am Rev Respir Dis, 1993, 148(5):1418-26.
Ancill RJ, Ballard JH, and Capewell MA,
"Urinary Tract Infections in Geriatric Inpatients: A Comparative Study of Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid and Co-trimoxazole,"
Curr Ther Res, 1987, 41(4):444-8.
Donowitz GR and Mandell GL, "Beta-Lactam Antibiotics," N Engl J Med,
1988, 318(7):419-26 and 318(8):490-500.
Gan VN, Kusmiesz H, Shelton S, et al,
"Comparative Evaluation of Loracarbef and Amoxicillin-Clavulanate for Acute Otitis Media,"
Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1991, 35(5):967-71.
Hoberman A, Paradise JL, Burch DJ, et al,
"Equivalent Efficiency and Reduced Occurrence of Diarrhea From a New Formulation
of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium (Augmentin®)
for Treatment of Acute Otitis Media in Children," Pediatr Infect Dis J,
1997, 16(5):463-70.
Reed MD, "Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate,"
Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1996, 15(10):949-54.
Thoene DE and Johnson CE, "Pharmacotherapy of Otitis Media,"
Pharmacotherapy, 1991, 11(3):212-21.
Todd PA and Benfield P,
"Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid. An Update of Its Antibacterial Activity, Pharmacokinetic Properties, and Therapeutic Use,"
Drugs, 1990, 39(2):264-307.
Wright AJ, "The Penicillins," Mayo Clin Proc, 1999, 74(3):290-307.
Wynn RL and Bergman SA,
"Antibiotics and Their Use in the Treatment of Orofacial Infections, Part I and Part II,"
Gen Dent, 1994, 42(5):398-402, 498-502.
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