Curam (Amoxycillin and Clavulanic Acid 250mg/5ml)

Curam Oral Suspension general information

What is Curam Oral Suspension used for?

Curam Oral Suspension 250mg/5ml is a combination antibiotic used for short-term treatment for children age 7-12 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 Curam Oral Suspension is used for include peritonitis, septicaemia and post-surgical infections. 

How does Curam Oral Suspension work?

Curam Oral Suspension 250mg/5ml contains 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 Curam 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 Curam Oral Suspension to combat infection and treat a wide range of symptoms caused by bacterial infections.  Curam Oral Suspension does not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.  

What does Curam Oral Suspension contain?

Curam Oral Suspension contains a combination of the active ingredients amoxycillin 250mg and clavulanic acid 62.5mg 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 250 mg amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate equivalent to 62.5 mg clavulanic acid.  It also contains colloidal silicon dioxide, guar gum, aspartame, talc, trisodium citrate, citric acid, orange flavour, lemon flavour, peach-apricot flavour.

Treating bacterial infection with Curam Oral Suspension

Curam Oral Suspension 250mg/5ml 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 Curam Curam 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.  Curam Oral Suspension is suitable for children age 7-12 years. 

What are the side effects of Curam Oral Suspension?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Curam Oral Suspension 250mg/5ml include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, oral and vaginal thrush, skin rash.

When should Curam Oral Suspension not be used?

You should not use Curam Oral Suspension if your child:

• is allergic to amoxycillin or any other beta-lactams antibiotic, including cephalosporins; or clavulanic acid or any ingredients in Curam Oral Suspension
• is pregnant or breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• has had hepatitis, jaundice or liver problems after previously taking Curam
• has had infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever)
• has kidney disease
• has phenylketonuria as Curam Oral Suspension contains aspartame, which is a source of phenylalanine
• is taking medicines that interact with Curam Oral Suspension including. probenecid and allopurinol for gout

How should Curam Oral Suspension be taken?

Make up the Curam Oral Suspension by following the instructions provided.  Add 92 mL water and shake well to form a suspension containing 250 mg amoxicillin/62.5 mg clavulanic acid per 5ml.  Before administering each dose, shake the bottle again.  You should give 5 mL to your child three times a day before a meal; for severe infections this may be increased to 10 mL.  You should continue to give Curam 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 Curam 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 your symptoms may return.

How long should Curam Oral Suspension be taken?

You should continue to give Curam 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 Curam 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 your symptoms may return.

Missed dose of Curam Oral Suspension

If you miss a dose of Curam 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 Curam Oral Suspension be stored?

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