Augmentin 500mg

Augmentin general information

What is Augmentin used for?

Augmentin 500mg tablets are a combination antibiotic used for short-term treatment of a wide range of common general practice and hospital 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. Augmentin 500mg tablets are also used as prophylaxis to prevent infection following major surgery.

How does Augmentin work?

Augmentin 500mg tablets contain 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 Augmentin 500mg tablets 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 Augmentin 500mg tablets to combat infection and treat a wide range of symptoms caused by bacterial infections. Augmentin 500mg tablets do not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.

What does Augmentin contain?

Augmentin 500mg tablets contain a combination of the active ingredients amoxycillin 500mg and clavulanic acid 125mg, which are antibiotics used to treat a wide range of common general practice and hospital bacterial infections. They also contain magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycollate, colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline celluose, titanium dioxide, hypromellose, macrogol 4000, macrogol 6000, dimethicone, opadry, water.

Treating bacterial infection with Augmentin

Augmentin 500mg tablets contain 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 Augmentin 500mg tablets can be used to treat a wide range of common general practice and hospital 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, and to prevent infection following major surgery.

What are the side effects of Augmentin?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Augmentin 500mg tablets include: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, oral and vaginal thrush, headache, mild skin rash.

When should Augmentin not be used?

You should not use Augmentin if you:

• are allergic to amoxycillin or any other beta-lactams antibiotic, including cephalosporins; or clavulanic acid; or any of the other ingredients in Augmentin 500mg tablets
• have had jaundice or liver problems after previously taking Augmentin 500mg tablets
• are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding, without first discussing with your doctor
• have or think you have infectious mononucleosis
• have or have had hepatitis or jaundice or kidney disease
• are taking oral contraceptives as Augmentin may lower oestrogen levels
• taking medications that interact with Augmentin 500mg tablets, including probenecid and allopurinol (for gout), anticoagulants

How should Augmentin be taken?

You should take your Augmentin 500mg tablets with a glass of water with food, preferably just before a meal, to reduce stomach effects. The dose you take and how often depends on what you are being treated for and your doctors recommendations, which may be 1-2 tablets 1-3 times a day for up to 14 days. Always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely or your symptoms may return and you run the risk of the bacteria causing your infection developing resistance to Augmentin.

How long should you take Augmentin?

You should complete the course of Augmentin 500mg tablets as prescribed by your doctor, which may for up to 14 days, depending on what you are being treated for. Always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely or your symptoms may return and you run the risk of the bacteria causing your infection developing resistance to Augmentin.

Missed dose of Augmentin

If you miss a dose of Augmentin 500mg tablets take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Augmentin be stored?

You should keep your Augmentin 500mg tablets in their blister packs until use and store below 25°C in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.