Amoxicillin And Clavulanate Potassium Description

Generic Name: AMOXICILLIN and CLAVULANATE POTASSIUM

Pronunciation: (a mox i sill' in) (klav' yoo la nate)

Trade Name(s): Augmentin

Why it is prescribed: The combination of amoxicillin, a penicillin-like antibiotic, and clavulanate potassium eliminates bacteria that cause lung, ear, urinary tract, sinus and skin infections.

When it is to be taken: The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium usually is taken every eight hours. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. Doses should be taken at evenly spaced intervals around the clock (e.g., 10.p.m., 6 a.m., and 2 p.m.)

How it should be taken: 1. Amoxicillin with clavulanate potassium comes in the form of regular and chewable tablets and oral liquid.
2. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.
3. This medication may be taken with food or an empty stomach.
4. Shake the oral liquid bottle well before each us to mix the medication evenly. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon from your pharmacist to be sure of an accurate dose.
5. The chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before they are swallowed.

Special Instruction: 1. Take all of the medication prescribed, even after the infection appears to have gone away. Failure to do so could allow the infection to return.
2. If you forget to take a dose take it as soon as you remember and then resume your regular schedule. However, if you remember a missed dose near the time for your next schedule dose, space the missed dose and schedule dose two to three hours apart. Then resume your regular schedule.

Side Effects: 1. If nausea and vomiting persist, take this medication with food.
2. If diarrhea and rashes persist, contact your doctor.
3. Vaginal irritation, itching, shortness of breath and wheezing are seen rarely. Call your doctor or go to a hospital immediately. You may need emergency treatment.

Other Precautions: 1. Women who are breast-feeding should inform their doctors because this combination drug passes from a mother to her baby in the milk.
2. If you are allergic to penicillin or any other antibiotics or if you have asthma, hay fever, allergies or kidney disease, tell your doctor before you take amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.
3. Before you take amoxicillin and clavuinate potassium, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially allopurinol.
4. Diabetics should use Clinistix or TesTape to test their urine for sugar while taking this drug.
5. If you have used all of the medication prescribed but still have symptoms of the infection, contact your doctor.
6. If your doctor tells you to stop talking it, throw away any unused amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. The drug may lose its effectiveness and should not be saved to treat another infection.

Storage Conditions: 1. Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.
2. Store the oral liquid in the refrigerator.
3. store regular and chewable tablets at room temperature.
4. Keep all forms of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium away from excess heat and moisture.
5. The container of oral liquid will have an expiry date on it. Do not take the medication after the expiry date. Throw it away and if you need more medication get a new supply.
6. Contact your pharmacist if you are not sure of the expiration date.