Amoxiclav for acute and chronic bronchitis: treatment regimens

Amoxiclav is a semisynthetic combined antibiotic, active substances in which are amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. This drug has an effective and delicate effect on the body, so it is often prescribed specialists for the treatment of bronchitis.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Pharmacodynamics

Amoxicillin, which is an active substance of amoxiclav, is an antibacterial substance of the penicillin group. Amoxiclav also contains an additional substance in the form of clavulanic acid. It has bactericidal properties and is a stimulant of protective processes in the body due to the destruction of the walls of certain microorganisms. The main function of clavulanic acid is the suppression of β-lactamase, which some bacteria synthesize. Thus, the drug is able to effectively affect various types of pathogenic microorganisms.

This antibiotic in a short period of time falls into the internal organs. Because of this, the drug quickly and as much as possible qualitatively helps with the therapy of even severe bronchitis. Approximately one hour after taking the drug in the body is its peak concentration. After taking about three hours, the antibiotic completely exits the body through the kidneys, a small amount of it can exit the body through the intestinal path or lungs.

Amoxiclav is able to act on such microorganisms as:

• Gardnerella;
• Proteus;
• echinococcus;
• Klebsiella;
• streptococci;
• Listeria;
• Bordetella;
• shigella;
• moraxella.

However, despite the positive effect on streptococcal infection, Amoxiclav does not help with bronchitis if methicillin-resistant strains were detected.

One of the indications for use is bronchitis. Amoxiclav in chronic bronchitis has no less qualitative effect than Amoxiclav in acute bronchitis.

[6], [7]

Dosing and administration

There are several different forms of the drug. The method of administration and dose vary according to the form of release.

1. Pills

This form of Amoxiclav in bronchitis in adults (not younger than 12 years) is taken orally. Before swallowing the tablet, it should be dissolved in pure water (at the rate of one tablet per 100 ml of water) or chewed.

Amoxiclav tablets differ in the ratio and amount of active substances (amount of mg amoxicillin / mg clavulanic acid). There are three types of Amoxiclav tablets. Among them are:

• 250 (250 mg / 125 mg)

It is used for a disease in the mild and moderate stage, one dose every 8 hours.

• 500 (500 mg / 125 mg)

It is used for the disease in the mild and moderate stage, more often with a severe stage of the disease, one dose every 8 hours.

• 2X (875 mg / 125 mg)

It is used at a serious stage of the disease, one dose every 12 hours.

2. Quiktab

Quiquate tablets have a fruity taste, before being taken out of, it should be dissolved in clean drinking water. Mainly used in pediatric practice for children weighing not less than 12 kilograms. It has two modifications:

• 500 mg / 125 mg

It is used for mild disease or the middle stage of bronchitis, one dose twice a day

• 850 mg / 125 mg

It is used in the severe stage of bronchitis, one dose twice a day

3. Amoxiclav powder for parenteral use.

This form of Amoxiclav is prescribed for particularly severe forms of the disease or if there is a possibility of death to patients aged 12 years.

The solution is administered by:

• intravenous injection

600 mg of antibiotic is diluted in 10 ml of special water for injection. This solution is administered intravenously to the patient for some time (approximately 4 minutes).

• droppers

600 mg of antibiotic is diluted in 10 ml of special injection water and 50 ml of infusion solution is added. Antibiotic is administered by means of droppers in a maximum of 20 minutes from the moment of dilution of the drug. The procedure is carried out within 40 minutes.

An adult over 24 hours should not consume more than 6 grams of amoxicillin and 600 mg of clavulanic acid. Amoxiclav in bronchitis in children weighing up to 40 kg is not recommended for taking more than 45 mg of amoxicillin and 10 mg of clavulanic acid per kilogram of weight

How many days do Amoxiclav take with bronchitis? This drug is recommended to take no more than fourteen consecutive days, since the action of the active ingredient (amoxicillin) begins to decrease gradually.

[17], [18], [19]

Features of Amoxiclav

Reception of antibiotics is associated with some rules and limitations. Features of Amoxiclav are as follows:

• It is forbidden to drink alcohol of any type;
• it is necessary to check the functioning of the kidneys and liver;
• patients with anuria should observe the time interval between antibiotic use for a minimum of 48 hours;
• patients with current infectious mononucleosis are advised not to take Amoxiclav, since the likelihood of developing erythematous rash is high;
• antibacterial medicines can have a negative effect on the digestive tract, so take this antibiotic during food intake in order to minimize the negative consequences;
• it is necessary to adhere to the recommended storage conditions of the medicine, namely to keep it in a dark place closed from children with a maximum air temperature of 25 degrees and no moisture;
• It is strictly forbidden to use the antibiotic after the expiry date indicated on the package.

[20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25]

Contraindications

Contraindications for use are:

• hypersensitivity to the active components of the drug;
• development of lymphatic leukemia at the current time;
• increased individual sensitivity to antibacterial drugs of the penicillin series;
• if earlier due to the action of clavulanic acid or amoxicillin, jaundice or a dysfunction of the liver was noted;
• current infectious mononucleosis;
• use during pregnancy is allowed only when the weight of benefits in the treatment of the mother is more significant than the potential risks of complications in the fetus.

[8], [9], [10]

Side effects of the amoxiclav in bronchitis

Among the side effects can be observed:

• attacks of migraine, various stages of dizziness;
• unreasonable anxiety, sleep disturbance;
• convulsions;
• interstitial nephritis, crystalluria;
• angioedema, edema on the skin with different pathogenesis;
• thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia;
• anaphylactic shock;
• inflammation or impaired liver function;
• dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of nausea and vomiting, vomiting, painful sensations, violation of stool in the form of diarrhea;
• when an overdose is likely, an excited state, convulsions, insomnia; Therapy in this case is carried out by hemodialysis.

[11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16],

Interactions with other drugs

Amoxiclav should be used with caution in the use of other medications, since interaction with certain drugs can affect the quality of treatment:

• the effect of oral contraceptives is significantly reduced;
• it should not be taken simultaneously Amoxiclav and glucosamine and laxative, as it reduces the absorption of this antibiotic, with the use of ascorbic acid, the absorption of this drug becomes greater;
• taking Amoxiclav at one time with Rifampicin is fraught with a complete lack of therapeutic effect on the part of both medicines;
• Methotrexate in combination with Amoxiclav significantly increases its toxic characteristics;
• with the simultaneous use of Amoxiclav and anticoagulants, there is more prothrombin time, because of which it is not worth combining them;
• when taking probenecid, the serum concentration of the active ingredient Amoxiclave increases, as a result of which its excretion from the body slows down.

[26], [27], [28]

Analogues of Amoxyclav

Based on anamnesis and diagnosis, specialists prescribe analogues of Amoxiclav, and not this antibiotic.

1. Sumamed. Macrolide antibacterial medicament of a broad spectrum of action, which in the composition has an active substance azithromycin. It is prescribed if the antibacterial drugs of the penicillin line are of low effectiveness.
2. Flemoxin. The active substance of this antibacterial medicine is amoxicillin, but it does not contain clavulanic acid, in contrast to Amoxiclav. In connection with this fact, Flemoxin is effective for the treatment of respiratory diseases, but the total number of indications for use is significantly less than that of Amoxiclav.
3. Supraks. It is also resistant to β-lactamase. It is indicated for acute or chronic bronchitis.
4. Augmentin. It is a complete analog of Amoxiclav, because it consists of the same active substances.

[29]

Reviews about Amoxiclav

Patients leave mostly positive reviews about the antibiotic Amoxiclav. According to studies on whether an amoxiclave helps with bronchitis, this drug has a positive effect already after 3 days from the start of the procedure. However, sometimes Amoxiclav does not have the proper effect on bronchitis or is the cause of the development of side effects due to the individual reaction to the drug.