What is Augmentin?

Augmentin is a medical product which has antibacterial activity and contains two active ingredients at once: Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid.

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic of penicillin group with expressed bactericidal action. It is active against many causative agents of the infection: gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. As most penicillins, Amoxicillin is destroyed by beta-lactamase which has high resistance to the action of this medication. In case of the monotherapy of the bacterial diseases, Amoxicillin is effective only if a causative agent of the infection is well known.

To increase therapeutic activity of Amoxicillin. Clavulanicacidisused. It has enough efficiency as to beta-lactamase.

The presence of Clavulanic acid in Augmentin protects Amoxicillin against the destructive action of beta-lactamase and increases the antibacterial activity of this medication.

Augmentin actively inhibits the development of gram-positive aerobe and anaerobe, gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia spp, and many causative agents of the infection.

The spectrum of the pharmacological activity of Augmentin is conditioned by two active ingredients but the mechanism of the action is mainly conditioned by the bactericidal effect of Amoxicillin.

Augmentin destroys the cellular walls of bacteria and neutralizes the possibility pf their development and growth. The pharmacological action becomes quickly within several hours after the use of the pills.

List of directions for the use of Augmentin:

• Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract infections (including HENT infections)
• Inflammatory infections of the lower respiratory tract
• Infections of the genitourinary system, including sexually transmitted diseases
• Infectious inflammation of the skin, mucous membranes, bones and joints
• Dental infections (prevention and treatment)

How to take Augmentin?

Augmentin is often taken as the main medicine for the treatment of the infectious diseases because the combined treatment does not provide more intense slowing down of the disease development.

• Patients over 12 years are prescribed one tablet Augmentin 250 mg 3 times per day
• In case of the insufficient antibacterial effect, the dose can be increased up to 875 mg of Augmentin 3 times per day
• Children are indicated the dose of Augmentin individually, after the medical examination. The dose is calculated according to the age, body weight, and type of infection.
• The length of Augmentin application depends on the severity of the infectious disease and may last for 5 to 14 days.

Recommendations for the use of Augmentin

• It is better to take Augmentin during meals, or after meals in order to reduce the irritation of the mucous membranes of the gastro-intestinal tract
• In case of the digestion disorder, vomiting, nausea, headache, and fever, the daily dose must be reduced. Consult an attending doctor.
• The daily dose is reduced for severe chronic diseases of liver
• The development of the allergic reaction to Augmentin needs a prompt termination of the treatment. The treatment is contraindicated during the hypersensitivity to penicillin.

In general, Augmentin is well tolerated and does not cause any unwanted reaction during the proper dosage. A systematic control of the functions of the blood, kidneys, and liver is needed during the prolonged use of Augmentin.