What is Augmentin used for?

The article was expertly consulted by Pharmacist, Dr. Phan Quynh Lan, Director of Pharmacy Department of Vinmec Health System - Head of Pharmacy Department of Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Augmentin is an antibiotic commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections such as sinusitis, otitis media, skin infections, urinary tract infections...

Augmentin has an active ingredient that is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate, which is a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the penicillin group. Amoxicillin (as amoxicillin trihydrate) is active against pathogenic bacteria, while clavulanate (as clavulanate potassium) acts as a beta-lactamase inhibitor, helping against strains of bacteria that are resistant to penicillins. .
Uses of Augmentin are applied in the treatment of many infections caused by different bacteria, such as sinusitis, bronchopneumonia, middle ear infections, urinary tract infections and skin infections.

Augmentin is very often prescribed by doctors in the treatment of infections for patients. However, not everyone responds well to medication.
Absolutely do not use Augmentin if the patient is allergic to its ingredients (amoxicillin and clavululate) or has ever had liver problems due to the effects of the drug. Patients with a history of allergy to the following drugs should also not use Augmentin: amoxicillin (spamox, curam, aumoxtine), ampicillin (unasyn, bipisyn, nerusyn), cloxacillin (faclacin, tazam), penicillin (ospen, benzathine penicillin).
Augmentin's amoxicillin and clavulanate components have the ability to penetrate into breast milk and cause harm to a nursing infant. Therefore, the mother absolutely should not use this drug during lactation without consulting and prescribed by a doctor.

Augmentin is indicated in the case of short-term treatment of infections caused by bacteria susceptible to the action of amoxicillin/clavulanate for the following sites:
Upper respiratory tract infections ( ear - nose - throat), such as recurrent tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media; Lower respiratory tract infections, including exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, lobar pneumonia and bronchopneumonia. Genitourinary infections, such as cystitis, urethritis, glomerulonephritis, female genital infections and gonorrhea, are caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Skin and soft tissue infections; Bone and joint infections, such as osteomyelitis, often require long-term treatment. Other types of infections, such as post-abortion infection, miscarriage, postpartum infection, intra-abdominal infection.

Dosage of Augmentin will vary depending on the patient's age, weight, medical condition, medical condition and response to treatment. However, after taking a dose of Augmentin, the second dose of the day should be 8 to 12 hours apart from the first dose. To maximize the effectiveness of treatment, Augmentin should be taken at evenly spaced times and at the same time each day.
Persevere with the medication until the prescribed amount is exhausted, even if the symptoms have disappeared after a few days of treatment. Patients need to adhere to treatment because stopping the drug too soon can make the drug ineffective, allowing bacteria to continue to grow, leading to recurrent infections and causing drug-resistant bacteria.
If there are signs of an allergy to Augmentin, the patient needs to stop taking the drug, re-examine and clearly explain to the doctor to be changed to another more suitable drug, to avoid possible serious consequences.
Refer to the website of Vinmec International General Hospital for more information about drugs and ways to protect health for different ages.