CO-AMOXICLAV (FOR INFECTION)

Co-amoxiclav is a combination of two antibiotics, amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that kills the bacteria responsible for the infection. Some bacteria are able to produce a chemical called β-Lactamase which makes amoxicillin less effective.

Clavulanic acid is a β-Lactamase inhibitor, which stops the chemical produced by the bacteria from working thereby allowing amoxicillin to kill the bacteria.

Uses

Infections due to β-lactamase-producing strains (where amoxicillin alone is not appropriate) including respiratory tract infections, genitourinary and abdominal infections; cellulitis (bacterial skin infection), animal bites, severe dental infection with spreading cellulitis.

Warnings

If you develop an itchy rash, swollen face or mouth, or have difficulty breathing, these may be signs that you are allergic to a penicillin antibiotic. Do not take any more co-amoxiclav and speak with your doctor or go to the nearest hospital immediately.

Side Effects

Hypersensitivity reactions and gastrointestinal disturbances
Reversible leukopenia (low white blood cell count) and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
Thrombocytopenic purpura (clotting in small blood vessels of the body leading to bruising)
Agranulocytosis (blood disorder)
Anemia
Slight thrombocytosis (excessive platelet production
Eosinophilia (increase in eosinophils, a type of white blood cell)
Abnormal platelet aggregation
Prolonged bleeding and prothrombin time
Dizziness and headache
Reversible hyperactivity and convulsions, agitation, anxiety, behavioral changes, confusion, insomnia
Increased liver enzyme, serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase

Precautions

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking co-amoxiclav it is important that your doctor knows:

If you suspect you may have glandular fever.
If you have an allergic condition, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. This is especially important if you have ever had a bad reaction to any penicillin antibiotic.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Co-amoxiclav is not known to be harmful to babies; however, it is still important that you tell your doctor if you are expecting or breast-feeding a baby.
If you have any problems with the way your liver works, or problems with the way your kidneys work.
If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.

Interactions

If you are taking the contraceptive pill at the same time as this antibiotic, the effectiveness of the pill can be reduced if you have a bout of being sick (vomiting) or diarrhea which lasts for more than 24 hours. If this should happen, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about what additional contraceptive precautions to use over the next few days. There is no need to use additional precautions for any bouts of sickness or diarrhea which last for less than 24 hours.

Co-amoxiclav may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this antibiotic.

Overdose & Brands

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.

Available brands:

Co-Amoxiclav (Watsons Generics)
Drugmaker’s Co-Amoxiclav (Drugmaker’s Lab)
Pharex Co-Amoxiclav (Stallion Labs/Ambica)
RiteMED Co-Amoxiclav (RiteMED)