Apo-Amoxi Clav

Generic Name: amoxicillin and clavulanate (Oral route)

a-mox-i-SIL-in, KLAV-ue-la-nate poe-TAS-ee-um

Commonly used brand name(s):

In the U.S.

• Augmentin
• Augmentin ES-600
• Augmentin XR

In Canada

• Alti-Amoxi Clav
• Apo-Amoxi Clav
• Novo-Clavamoxin 125
• Novo-Clavamoxin 250
• Ratio-Amoxi Clav 250f

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Tablet, Extended Release
• Powder for Suspension
• Tablet, Chewable

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: Penicillin, Aminopenicillin

Uses For Apo-Amoxi Clav

Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination is an antibiotic that belongs to the group of medicines known as penicillins and beta-lactamase inhibitors. It works by killing the bacteria and preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Apo-Amoxi Clav

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of amoxicillin and clavulanate chewable tablets and oral suspension in children.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of amoxicillin and clavulanate tablets in children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children weighing less than 40 kg.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of amoxicillin and clavulanate extended-release tablets in teenagers and children younger than 16 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of amoxicillin and clavulanate combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving amoxicillin and clavulanate combination.

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Methotrexate
• Venlafaxine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acenocoumarol
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Khat
• Mestranol
• Norelgestromin
• Norethindrone
• Norgestrel
• Probenecid
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diarrhea or
• Liver disease—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

• Kidney disease, severe—The extended-release tablets should not be used in patients with this condition.

• Liver disease, history of with amoxicillin and clavulanate combination or
• Mononucleosis ("mono")—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Phenylketonuria (PKU)—The chewable tablet and oral suspension contain phenylalanine, which can make this condition worse.

Proper Use of amoxicillin and clavulanate

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain amoxicillin and clavulanate. It may not be specific to Apo-Amoxi Clav. Please read with care.

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

You may take this medicine with or without meals. However, it is best to take this medicine at the start of a meal or snack to avoid an upset stomach.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

If you are using the chewable tablets, chew the tablet completely before swallowing.

There are certain flavors that can be mixed with the oral suspension to make it taste better. If you or your child do not like the taste of this medicine, ask your pharmacist about these flavorings.

Keep the oral suspension refrigerated. Shake it well before measuring the dose. Use a dosing spoon or medicine dropper to measure the dose. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. Rinse the dosing spoon or dropper with water after each use.

Do not change brands or dosage forms of amoxicillin and clavulanate combination without first checking with your doctor. Different products may not work the same way. If you refill your medicine and it looks different, ask your pharmacist about the change.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For bacterial infections:
  • For oral dosage form (chewable tablets, suspension):
    • Adults, teenagers, and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—250 to 500 milligrams (mg) every eight hours or 500 to 875 mg every twelve hours.
    • Children and infants above 3 months of age and weighing less than 40 kilograms (kg)—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 20 to 40 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day (mg/kg/day), divided and given every 8 hours, or 25 to 90 mg/kg/day, divided and given every 12 hours.
    • Infants younger than 3 months of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 30 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided and given every 12 hours.
  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • Adults—2000 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • Adults, teenagers, and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—250 to 500 milligrams (mg) every eight hours or 500 to 875 mg every twelve hours.
    • Children weighing less than 40 kilograms (kg)—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the chewable tablets, regular tablets, and extended-release tablets at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the oral suspension in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused portion after 10 days. Keep from freezing.

Precautions While Using Apo-Amoxi Clav

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have itching; hives; hoarseness; shortness of breath; trouble with breathing; trouble with swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive this medicine.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

In some young patients, tooth discoloration may occur while using this medicine. The teeth may appear to have brown, yellow, or gray stains. To help prevent this, brush and floss your teeth regularly or have a dentist clean your teeth.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination may decrease the effects of some oral contraceptives (birth control pills). To avoid an unwanted pregnancy, it is a good idea to use additional contraceptive measures with your pills (e.g., condoms, a diaphragm, or a contraceptive foam or jelly) while using this medicine.

Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Apo-Amoxi Clav Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Hives or welts
• itching
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• pain during sexual intercourse
• redness of the skin
• skin rash
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

• Bloody or cloudy urine
• fever
• greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
• seizures
• swelling of the feet or lower legs

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• black, hairy tongue
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating
• blood in the stools
• bloody nose
• chest pain
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• cough or hoarseness
• cracks in the skin
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• difficulty with breathing
• difficulty with moving
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• fever with or without chills
• general body swelling
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• headache
• heavier menstrual periods
• increased thirst
• joint or muscle pain
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• light-colored stools
• loss of appetite
• loss of heat from the body
• lower back or side pain
• muscle stiffness
• nausea or vomiting
• pain
• pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rash
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• red, swollen skin
• scaly skin
• shortness of breath
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swollen glands
• tightness in the chest
• troubled breathing with exertion
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight loss
• upper right abdominal pain
• vomiting of blood
• wheezing
• white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
• white patches with diaper rash
• yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• diarrhea
• fever
• greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
• pain or burning while urinating
• skin rash
• sleepiness
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Anxiety
• dry mouth
• hyperventilation
• irregular heartbeats
• irritability
• nervousness
• restlessness
• shaking
• sleeplessness
• tooth discoloration
• trouble sitting still
• trouble with sleeping
• unable to sleep

• Burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• indigestion
• redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
• stomach upset
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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