Augmentin for sore throat

With the arrival of autumn dampness and cold weather, the medical records of many of us are filled with new entries. Most diagnoses sound like "ARI" or "ARI", and these words hide respiratory infections (viral and bacterial). One of the leading places among colds is tonitis with its excruciating pain in the throat and high temperature. But the appearance of these symptoms is not accidental. Pain is the result of an inflammatory process provoked by an infection that has entered the respiratory tract, and fever is an indicator of the body's fight against pathogens (a useful symptom until the temperature reaches critical values, which is typical for tonitis). It is believed that "Augmentin" for tonitis helps to relieve both unpleasant symptoms and significantly alleviate the patient's condition. But since the named drug belongs to potent antimicrobial agents (antibiotics), it should be prescribed with extreme caution.

Treatment of sore throat with antibiotics

Angina, also known as acute tonsillitis, is an inflammatory disease of the throat, which mainly affects the tonsils (most often the palatine tonsils). When swallowing, the increased in size inflamed formations become quite painful, while the diameter of the pharyngeal ring decreases, creating an obstacle to the passage of food.

But why do tonsils become inflamed? In most cases, the cause of tonsillitis is an infection (streptococcal, staphylococcal, less often some other). It should be said that in more than 90% of cases, the causative agent of the disease is a bacterial infection, and then the treatment of tonsillitis with antibiotics can be considered justified. And since the overwhelming majority of episodes of bacterial tonsillitis are associated with the popular coccal microflora (hemolytic streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus, which provokes the development of purulent processes in the inflamed tissues of the tonsils), doctors first of all turn to antibiotics of the penicillin series.

Modern penicillins are considered to be among the safest drugs, so they are prescribed to both adults and children, who encounter tonsillitis much more often due to an insufficiently formed immune system. After all, the tonsils are an important component of it. They hold back the infection so that it cannot penetrate deeper into the respiratory tract and digestive tract.

Lymphocytes and antibodies are formed in the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils, which make pathogens inactive. But when the immune system is weak, the protective cells it produces are not enough to prevent the infection from spreading. Further struggle leads to inflammation of the lymphoid tissue at the site of accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms, hence the pain and fever.

It would seem that it is enough to gargle with antiseptic solutions frequently to remove the infection from the surface of the tonsils. But this method usually helps in the first days of the disease, until the infection has multiplied. Later, the tonsils themselves become a breeding ground for infection, which can penetrate the respiratory and digestive tracts, circulate through the lymphatic system, causing inflammation of the lymph nodes. This indicates the generalization (spread) of the infection, which means that more serious measures are needed to eliminate it.

Antibiotics, penetrating into the blood and other body fluids, find pathogens there and destroy them. But their effect extends only to bacteria, while they do not act on fungi, viruses and some protozoa. Moreover, without having a selective effect, useful drugs can create an environment suitable for their reproduction, also destroying bacteria that are part of the body's beneficial microflora.

Based on the above, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• "Augmentin" or other antibiotics for tonsillitis should be prescribed only if the bacterial nature of the pathogen is confirmed.
• Taking antibiotics should be combined with a course of special medications that help restore beneficial microflora, which is also considered a component of our immunity.

Ideally, it is necessary to determine the type of pathogen in the laboratory, which takes a lot of time, and the disease develops further. Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as Augmentin, Amoxicillin , Ceftriaxone , Sumamed , Ofloxacin and others are active against several types and strains of bacteria at once, which makes it possible to help the patient relieve unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms without waiting for test results.

But angina is scary not only because of its symptoms, but also because of the complications that can arise if effective treatment is not started in time. This disease is one of the leaders in the number of all kinds of complications to the organs of hearing, heart, kidneys, etc.

But let's return to the most popular drugs, most often prescribed by doctors. "Augmentin", " Amoxiclav " and "Sumamed" are the favorite trio of drugs, which therapists and pediatricians are especially partial to. The first two drugs are antibiotics based on amoxicillin, which has proven itself in the treatment of respiratory bacterial infections with a low incidence of side effects. And the third drug is usually prescribed to patients with individual sensitivity to penicillins (alas, this negative aspect is passed on from generation to generation in penicillins).

Let's consider the treatment of angina with penicillin antibiotics using the popular drug "Augmentin" as an example. But first, let's find out more closely what the drug with this name is.

Indications Augmentin for tonsillitis

It should be said that angina is just one of the diseases that can only be effectively treated with antibiotics. Penicillin drugs, and in particular "Augmentin", are often prescribed by doctors for various infectious pathologies of the respiratory tract. In addition to angina, these include sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. The drug is also prescribed for inflammation of the middle ear (otitis) of a bacterial nature. After all, the causative agent of this serious disease in most cases is also streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae and some other pathogenic microorganisms sensitive to "Augmentin".

But this antibiotic can be used to treat not only the respiratory system. Doctors successfully use the penicillin series to treat other parts and organs of our body: kidneys (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, etc.), bladder (cystitis), bones and joints (osteomyelitis), abdominal cavity (peritonitis), female reproductive system, etc.

The drug is also prescribed for various skin diseases of an infectious nature, including abscesses, animal bites, inflammation of soft tissues and subcutaneous tissue. In other words, Augmentin can be prescribed for pathology of any organ or system of the body if its bacterial nature is suspected (ideally, if the presence of active microbes sensitive to amoxicillin is confirmed in the body).

In case of angina, Augmentin is prescribed in most cases, given that almost all possible pathogens of the disease are highly sensitive to this antibiotic. The exception is rare cases of angina of bacterial or fungal origin.

True, in case of catarrhal (superficial) tonsillitis, the use of antibiotics is unlikely to be justified. Here, you can resort to treating the tonsils with antiseptics, which are not considered potent agents and are used externally. But treating follicular or purulent tonsillitis without antibiotics is fraught with serious complications, since there is active reproduction of bacteria, which entails severe inflammation of tissues, and the probable generalization of the infection, when it spreads through the blood and lymph throughout the body, affecting the heart, kidneys and other vital organs.

Characteristic symptoms of catarrhal tonsillitis are considered to be redness of the throat, hyperemia and swelling of the tonsils, pain when swallowing and an increase in temperature to febrile values (usually not higher than 38-38.5 degrees). But with purulent types of tonsillitis, you can see yellowish pustules or a whitish-gray coating in the throat, while the temperature can quickly rise to 39-40 degrees or more.

However, the presence of symptoms of bacterial tonsillitis is not a reason to take Augmentin without consulting a doctor. It is the specialist's job to determine which drug is relevant in each specific case. In addition, if the disease recurs, it is recommended to replace the antibiotic with another drug, preferably with a different active ingredient, in order to avoid the development of antibiotic resistance.

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Release form

The drug "Augmentin", so often prescribed for sore throat, is not accidentally considered one of the best antimicrobial drugs, because it is based on 2 highly effective active components:

• amoxicillin is a strong antibiotic with high activity against many bacteria that cause severe infectious diseases and complications,
• Clavulanic acid is the most powerful inhibitor of beta-lactamases known to science, which are produced by some pathogenic microorganisms to deactivate beta-lactam antibiotics, which include penicillins.

Thus, by creating this unique drug, scientists managed to achieve greater effectiveness of amoxicillin against most bacterial strains, including those capable of producing beta-lactamase. Augmentin, which appeared in the early 80s of the twentieth century, is the first drug in which an antibiotic was combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor (clavulanic acid). Later, other drugs with such a combination entered the market, which, however, does not diminish the value of Augmentin in the treatment of infectious diseases. And this is confirmed by many years of experience in its use.

In 1995, Augmentin was recognized as the "gold standard" among penicillin antibiotics and was recommended as the drug of choice for the treatment of various infections. And despite the development of new effective drugs, doctors even many years later in 2018 prefer to resort to the help of this particular antibiotic, tested by time.

Today, Augmentin can be found on sale in various forms and dosages:

• pills:
  • Augmentin 875/125 (1000 mg) is a new, enhanced form of a well-known antibiotic with increased bactericidal action and prolonged action,
  • Augmentin 500/125 (625 mg) is a standard dosage form for two to three times a day,
  • Augmentin 1000/62.5 prolonged-release film-coated tablet.
• suspension, or more precisely powder for its preparation:
  • Augmentin 200/28.5 mg (dosage per 5 ml of finished suspension),
  • Augmentin 400/57 mg per 5 ml suspension with double dose of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid
• powder for the preparation of an injection solution in vials containing 500 or 1000 mg of amoxicillin and, respectively, 100 or 200 mg of clavulanic acid (500/100 or 1000/200), which is used in cases of severe or complicated tonsillitis.

The unusual indication of the dosage of tablets and powder is due to the fact that the drug contains 2 active components that are interconnected, but only one of them has a therapeutic effect - the antibiotic amoxicillin. The first number in the name of the drug indicates the dosage of amoxicillin so that the specialist can orient himself, prescribing a certain treatment regimen and dosage regimen.

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Pharmacodynamics

Prescribing any drug, especially a potent one, without knowing its pharmacological action has no basis and can even be dangerous. That is why an experienced doctor, like any interested person, has the opportunity to familiarize themselves with such information reflected in the instructions for use of drugs attached to each package of drugs. Knowing the pharmacological action of an antibiotic, you can correctly formulate treatment for tonsillitis or other infections with maximum efficiency and minimal harm to the body.

"Augmentin" is a combination drug in which amoxicillin acts as a strong antimicrobial agent, and clavulanate protects the antibiotic from decay under the influence of beta-lactamases produced by some bacteria. Speaking about the effectiveness of "Augmentin", prescribed for sore throat or any other infection, we mean the sensitivity of microorganisms to amoxicillin.

The most sensitive to the antibiotic in studies were Staphylococcus aureus, representatives of streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae and some other types of gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that can provoke acute tonsillitis (sore throat). True, there is information about the resistance of individual strains of pneumococci to amoxicillin, but these bacteria are more typical for pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs) than for angina (inflammation of the tonsils of the throat).

As for the action of the antimicrobial drug on bacteria sensitive to it, it is characterized as bactericidal, i.e. the antibiotic is capable of causing the death of bacterial cells by destroying their protective protein shell. This action is characteristic of penicillins, including amoxicillin. Clavulanic acid does not have a clinically significant antibacterial effect.

When prescribing the drug, it is necessary to take into account that it remains inactive against methicillin-resistant strains of bacteria that produce beta-lactamases. That is, there are a number of microorganisms that are not sensitive to the combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

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Pharmacokinetics

Regardless of the form of the drug, both of its active ingredients are absorbed into the blood from the gastrointestinal tract quite quickly when the drug is taken internally. It is believed that the optimal time to take the drug is the beginning of a meal, when the absorption of chemicals is maximum.

After absorption, amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid quickly spreads throughout various tissues and environments of the body. The situation is slightly worse with distribution in the cerebrospinal fluid.

The active ingredients of Augmentin, when used to treat tonsillitis or other infections, can be found in breast milk and penetrate the placental barrier.

The drug is metabolized in the liver, and the excretion of antibiotic substances is carried out by the kidneys, while part of the clavulanic acid can also be excreted through the intestines with feces. In this regard, dose and frequency adjustments are required for such categories of patients as the elderly, patients with liver and kidney failure.

"Augmentin" for angina in adults without the above-mentioned problems is usually used in a standard dosage. Children's dosage and frequency of taking the drug depends on the age and weight of the child.

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Dosing and administration

"Augmentin" for angina in adult patients can be used in any form of release. Most often, tablets are prescribed, and in severe cases of the disease - injections with a transition to oral administration of the drug as soon as the symptoms of the disease subside. Suspension can be prescribed if for some reason the patient cannot swallow a tablet, but it is necessary to take into account lower dosages of the prepared drug.

Tablet form with a dosage of 825/125 mg. Prescribed to patients weighing over 40 kg in a dosage of 1750/250 mg per day, i.e. in the amount of 2 tablets per day with an interval of no more than 12 hours.

If these tablets are used to treat children and adolescents weighing from 25 to 40 kg, then you need to adhere to a dose that will be 25-45 mg of amoxicillin and, accordingly, 3.6-6.4 mg of clavulanic acid for each kilogram of the child's weight per day.

Tablet form with a dosage of 500/125 mg. This version of the drug is prescribed to adult patients three times a day, 1 tablet.

When using this dosage form for the treatment of children and adolescents weighing 25-45 kg, the instructions recommend adhering to the dosage rule: 20-60 mg of amoxicillin and 5-15 mg of clavulanic acid for each kilogram of the child's weight per day.

Due to the fact that it is not recommended to divide Augmentin tablets, it is not advisable to use them in the treatment of children weighing less than 25 kg.

Extended-release tablets 1000/62.5 mg. They are prescribed to patients over 16 years of age. The recommended dose of Augmentin SP for sore throat is 2 tablets twice a day.

These tablets have a break line to make them easier to swallow.

Powder for oral suspension. This form of the drug can be called children's, since it is convenient to use for children of any age and has a lower dosage compared to tablets. It is intended for internal use (oral route of administration). At the same time, it is recommended to take the suspension during meals to reduce the likelihood of possible gastrointestinal intolerance.

For the treatment of patients weighing up to 40 kg, both types of suspension with an antibiotic dosage of 200 and 400 mg can be used.

The calculation of a safe and effective dosage is based on the ratio of the recommended dose and the child's weight:

• if the baby's body weight is less than 4 kg, the suspension is given to him based on the ratio of 25 mg of amoxicillin and 5 mg of clavulanic acid for each kilogram of the child's weight with an interval of 12 hours,
• for a body weight of 4 to 40 kg, the drug in a dosage of 25-45 mg of amoxicillin is given twice a day every 12 hours (or 25 mg/3.6 mg three times a day, the interval between doses will be 8 hours)

The maximum dosage in the therapy of children under 2 years of age with "Augmentin 400" should not exceed 45 mg of amoxicillin per kilogram of the child's weight per day. In case of severe complicated infections, children over 2 years of age can be given no more than 70/10 mg of the drug per kilogram of weight per day.

For younger children, the suspension form "Augmentin 200" is recommended. It is very important that the effective dosage of the drug is prescribed by a specialist, and not by parents based on their experience and discretion.

Preparing the suspension is not very difficult. The powder for its preparation is in bottles, which have a mark to which level you need to add boiled cool water. First, it is recommended to shake the dry powder, then add water to it to the level of the lower mark, and then shake it well again so that the powder dissolves. Now add water to the upper black strip with an arrow and shake it again to evenly mix the liquid with the dissolved powder.

The volume of the suspension prepared in this way is 70 ml. Using the supplied measuring cap or syringe (it is more convenient to measure small volumes used in the treatment of newborns), measure out the required dose of the drug for each age (weight). Do not forget to shake the bottle before each use to raise the sediment.

If we are talking about treating children under 2 years of age, the prepared suspension can be given to the child diluted with water 1:1 to soften the taste of the medicine.

An important question is how much to drink "Augmentin" for sore throat? Usually the drug is prescribed to be taken for 7 days, but if necessary, the course of antibiotic treatment can be extended to 2 weeks, provided that probiotics are taken in parallel.

Powder used in injection and infusion solutions. The standard dose of the injection solution (in the form of a shot) for patients weighing over 40 kg contains 1000 mg of amoxicillin and 200 mg of clavulanic acid and is used at intervals of 8 hours. The dosage for children weighing under 40 kg is calculated by analogy with the suspension for oral use.

The Augmentin solution can only be used intravenously in the form of injections or drips (infusions). Intramuscular administration of the drug is unacceptable. In the therapy of children under 3 months of age, only infusion therapy is practiced.

The injection solution is prepared by dissolving the powder in water for injection. "Augmentin 500/100 mg" is dissolved in 10 ml of water for injection, and the drug with a dosage of 1000/200 mg - in 20 ml.

The infusion solution is prepared on the basis of the injection composition, mixing it with 50 ml (for the dosage form "Augmentin" 500/100 mg) or 100 ml (for the form in which the ratio of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid is indicated as 1000/200 mg) of the infusion composition, respectively. Water for injection, saline, Ringer's and Hartmann's solutions, a combination of saline with a 0.3% solution of potassium chloride can act as an intravenous (infusion) solution.

It is recommended to use freshly prepared solution for IV drips immediately, despite the fact that it can remain stable for 2-3 hours. The recommended duration of infusion is 30-40 minutes.

The duration of injection treatment is determined by the doctor, but usually it does not exceed 5-7 days.

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Use Augmentin for tonsillitis during pregnancy

Animal studies of oral forms of the drug "Augmentin" showed no signs of teratogenic action of its active substances on the fetus, i.e. the drug did not have a negative effect on the development of the fetus. Similar studies in pregnant women with premature rupture of the membranes of the fetal egg showed some risk of developing severe intestinal pathology in newborns - necrotizing enterocolitis, fraught with perforation of the organ and peritonitis. Although in this case it is difficult to establish a relationship between taking an antibiotic and the development of the disease, because premature birth itself is already a risk factor for this disease.

However, doctors prefer not to take unnecessary risks and prescribe Augmentin to expectant mothers with extreme caution, mainly in severe situations when there is a serious danger to the life and health of the woman, avoiding such prescriptions in the first trimester of pregnancy.

"Augmentin" for purulent tonsillitis can be prescribed to a nursing mother, but given the fact that both active substances can penetrate into breast milk, it is recommended to refrain from breastfeeding during antibiotic therapy. This will help to avoid possible childhood problems, such as diarrhea, allergic reactions or the development of thrush on the child's mucous membranes due to the death of beneficial protective microflora.

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Contraindications

There are no direct contraindications to prescribing antibiotics during pregnancy, but there are certain disorders in the body, in which taking Augmentin is considered undesirable. We are talking about the patient's increased sensitivity to amoxicillin, clavulanic acid or auxiliary substances of a certain form of the drug.

"Augmentin" is never prescribed for sore throat and other infectious diseases if the patient's medical history includes mentions of severe anaphylactic reactions while taking "Augmentin" or other penicillins. Those who have had hypersensitivity reactions after taking other beta-lactams (cephalosporins, carbapenems, etc.) should also be careful.

A history of episodes of jaundice or liver dysfunction caused by taking amoxicillin and clavulanic acid also raises concern.

According to the instructions, "Augmentin" for purulent tonsillitis in a child can be prescribed from 2 months, which does not exclude its prescription at an earlier age, if, in the opinion of the doctor, there is a need for it. Fortunately, such a form of release as a suspension provides wide possibilities for the use of an antibiotic in the treatment of children of different ages.

Relative contraindications to the use of Augmentin include infectious mononucleosis (with the appearance of measles-like rashes), acute generalized exenthematous pustulosis (its symptom may be the development of erythema multiforme while taking amoxicillin), hepatitis, which may appear during antibiotic therapy when the load on the liver increases.

Antibiotic-associated colitis is considered a common consequence of antibiotic therapy, so if patients develop diarrhea, treatment should be reviewed. The fact is that severe cases of colitis caused by taking antibiotics can pose a danger to the health and life of patients, so it is impossible to allow the development of severe forms of the disease, stopping it in the bud.

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Side effects Augmentin for tonsillitis

Instructions for any drug, in addition to information on contraindications for use, contain information on unpleasant symptoms and disorders in the body that may occur during treatment. The fewer side effects a drug has and the lower their frequency of occurrence, the safer this medicine is considered.

"Augmentin" is considered a relatively safe antibiotic, which, when used correctly in people without hypersensitivity to beta-lactams, does not cause serious harm to the body. The most common health disorders during its use are considered (according to patients) nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, i.e. reactions from the gastrointestinal tract, which usually occur when taking high doses. The negative impact of the antibiotic on the digestive system can be reduced by taking oral dosage forms during meals.

Although, when using Augmentin for tonsillitis, one should not exclude the possibility that some of the above symptoms may be manifestations of the disease itself due to irritation of the throat mucosa.

Another common side effect of the drug is thrush (candidiasis of the mucous membranes), which occurs due to the destruction of the beneficial microflora of the body by the antibiotic. To avoid this problem, it is enough to take special drugs during antibiotic therapy that normalize the microflora (probiotics), for example, Linex, Enterol, Bifidumbacterin, etc.

It is possible that other unpleasant symptoms and pathologies may appear, such as changes in the composition and characteristics of the blood, dizziness and headaches, convulsions, aseptic meningitis, jaundice, hepatitis, nephritis, antibiotic-associated colitis, skin rashes, tooth discoloration, allergic reactions, etc. The frequency of many symptoms is unknown, while others occur less frequently. But in general, in the absence of hypersensitivity to the drug and its correct use, the treatment is well tolerated by most patients, without any unpleasant sensations or health problems.

But if any signs of an allergic reaction appear, the use of the drug must be stopped immediately. The fact is that penicillins are characterized by severe allergic and anaphylactic reactions, which can lead to the death of the patient. In no case should you take or administer Augmentin if there is information about hypersensitivity reactions to the drug that have occurred previously, including those associated with the use of other beta-lactams.

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Overdose

Regardless of the method of using the drug "Augmentin" for sore throat or any other disease for which the doctor may prescribe this antibiotic, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommended dosages for each age and weight. Otherwise, doctors do not exclude such an unpleasant phenomenon as an overdose of the drug.

The overdose condition manifests itself with symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as changes in water-electrolyte balance, which can lead to the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, such as swelling, intense thirst, cramps, muscle atony, changes in heart rhythm, etc.

There have also been cases of amoxicillin crystalluria, where the antibiotic settles in the kidneys as stones, which can cause renal failure. This can lead to seizures, which are common in patients with severe renal impairment.

An identical situation can be observed in those who take high doses of the drug.

All the above symptoms are treated with appropriate medications and methods, paying great attention to restoring the water-salt balance in the body. In severe cases of overdose and kidney disease, doctors may resort to hemodialysis, which allows for the rapid removal of amoxicillin from the patient's body and reduces its negative impact on the kidneys.

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Interactions with other drugs

"Augmentin" belongs to the category of potent drugs, so its combination with other drugs can have quite unpleasant consequences.

Thus, the combination of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and probenecid, used in the treatment of gout to remove uric acid, can lead to the accumulation of amoxicillin in the body, which manifests itself as symptoms of overdose.

"Allopurinol" is another anti-gout drug, the use of which together with "Augmentin" raises doubts about the safety of such a combination. The fact is that the combination of allopurinol with amoxicillin increases the likelihood of allergic reactions. In this case, it is recommended to reconsider the possibilities of combined treatment.

In patients with angina taking anticoagulants (warfarin, acenocoumarol), Augmentin should be prescribed with caution, since such a combination can affect prothrombin time (further reduce blood clotting, which increases the risk of bleeding). Therefore, blood monitoring is necessary, and if necessary, the dose of the prescribed drugs should be adjusted.

The combination of Augmentin, a penicillin, and methotrexate, used in the treatment of cancer, benign tumors, and severe psoriasis, can lead to an increase in the blood levels of the latter, which increases its toxic effect on the patient's body.

"Augmentin" can reduce the predose concentration of the active metabolite of the cytostatic "Mycophenolate mofetil", which should be remembered when prescribing drugs simultaneously.

"Agmentin", like any other antibiotic, can have a negative effect on the intestinal microflora, where the absorption of active components of many oral medications occurs. In this regard, one should expect a decrease in the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, which should also be taken into account when treating tonsillitis or other infectious diseases with antibiotics. In this case, it is worth considering other contraceptive options to reduce the risk of unwanted (especially during this period) pregnancy.

"Augmentin" for intravenous use should not be mixed with aminoglycosides, as this reduces the effectiveness of the latter.

Also, it is not recommended to mix the antibiotic with blood products and other protein-containing liquids, as well as with fat emulsions that are administered intravenously.

Storage conditions

When using Augmentin for tonsillitis or other infectious pathologies, it is necessary to pay attention to the date of manufacture of the drug to determine its validity and safety. The fact is that most drugs after the expiration of the shelf life partially or completely lose their medicinal properties, and some can even cause severe poisoning.

Regular Augmentin 825/125 mg and 500/125 mg tablets have a shelf life of 3 years. Other forms of the drug, including the suspension used for intravenous formulations, can be stored for no more than two years before the first opening of the package.

The prepared oral suspension can be stored for up to 7 days, and the solution for intravenous infusions - no more than 2-3 hours. The injection solution is suitable for use for only 20 minutes, so it is not worth preparing it in reserve.

It is recommended to store the medicines at room temperature up to 25 degrees. But the prepared oral suspension will need to be cooled. The optimal storage temperature is 2-8 degrees, which corresponds to the conditions of the refrigerator.

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What to do if Augmentin does not help with sore throat?

Each person's body is unique, so the drugs that help one patient may not have a noticeable therapeutic effect on others. This does not mean that the prescribed drug is bad or that a counterfeit is on sale. Sometimes another drug, similar in composition, turns out to be more preferable due to the characteristics of the patient's body.

So what to do if the prescribed drug does not help to suppress the infection and relieve the unpleasant symptoms of sore throat? There is such a thing as analogues. This word refers to drugs that are similar in their composition or effect.

An incomplete analogue of "Augmentin" for sore throat is considered to be "Amoxicillin" (analogues of "Amoxil", "Flemoxin Solutab"). But without the support of clavulanic acid, the antibiotic can be destroyed by enzymes produced by certain types of pathogenic microorganisms. In this case, again, we are faced with the ineffectiveness of the drug. Although when detecting strains sensitive to amoxicillin in the body (when conducting a PCR analysis), a drug without clavulanic acid is considered even more preferable, since the risk of allergic reactions in this case is lower.

The most popular complete analogue of "Augmentin" is considered to be "Amoxiclav". This drug also contains the complex "amoxicillin-clavulanic acid" and differs only in auxiliary components and the taste of the suspension.

"Amoxiclav" can be found on pharmacy shelves in the form of tablets with a dosage of 250, 500 or 875 mg in combination with 125 mg of clavulanic acid (in a film coating or without it), as well as fast-dissolving tablets "Amoxiclav quicktab" (825/125 mg). There are 3 types of powder from which an oral suspension is prepared, containing 125, 250 or 500 mg of amoxicillin, as well as 2 types of medicinal composition for the preparation of an intravenous solution of 500 and 100 mg of amoxicillin.

As we can see, if the drug "Augmentin" is not available in the pharmacy, it can be replaced with "Amoxiclav" in the absence of intolerance to the main and auxiliary components of the drug. Although the drugs have a similar composition, their effectiveness may vary among different people.

Analogues of "Augmentin" from the penicillin series with other active substances for tonsillitis are prescribed less often, since amoxicillin has the broadest spectrum of action and covers almost all pathogens of tonsillitis, which makes it possible to prescribe it without even waiting for the results of a special analysis (and often an expensive analysis is not done at all).

In some cases, the ineffectiveness of Augmentin is explained by the fact that the patient has previously taken this drug (sometimes even unreasonably) and the microorganisms have become less sensitive to it. In this case, it is worth resorting to antibiotics with a different active substance. And it does not necessarily have to be a penicillin drug.

In case of severe forms of tonsillitis (purulent) in the absence of effect from taking penicillin antibiotics, cephalosporin drugs can be prescribed. A striking example of them is "Ceftriaxone", produced in a form from which an injection solution is subsequently prepared, diluted with an anesthetic. The antibiotic for tonsillitis is administered intramuscularly once a day. Moreover, such treatment is indicated even for newborns from the first days of life using minimal doses sufficient to fight the infection.

In the treatment of acute tonsillitis, doctors often resort to the help of antimicrobial agents from the macrolide series, which are also famous for their minimal toxic effect on the body. One of the most popular drugs for sore throat is "Sumamed" with the active substance in the form of the bacteriostatic antibiotic azithromycin, which has dosage forms that are suitable for the treatment of both adults and children (tablets and suspension).

Despite the fact that the action of the drug is based not on the destruction of the infection, but only on reducing the number of active microbial particles, i.e. inhibiting its reproduction, the broad spectrum of action of the antibiotic allows you to quickly and effectively stop the development of the disease and lead to a quick recovery. With increased sensitivity to penicillins and other beta-lactams, such treatment will be the most appropriate and safe.

Reviews of the drug

No matter how much the manufacturer praises its drug, and no matter what arguments its developers give, there are practically no drugs in the world that people would only speak positively about. Another thing is that some drugs, including Augmentin, have more positive reviews than negative ones, since they helped most patients quickly cure the infection and avoid unpleasant and dangerous complications.

Reviews show that most of the analogues of "Augmentin" are not more or less effective. Everything depends on the pathogen, the characteristics of the patient's body and the antimicrobial drugs that the patient has previously taken. But, according to most doctors, the composition of the drug "Augmentin" is the most balanced, so the drug itself is prescribed more often than others.

High efficiency, affordable price and variety of dosage forms of the drug, allowing to treat patients of any age, starting from the youngest, make "Augmentin" for sore throat the drug of choice for many doctors. If there is a need to replace the drug, a new drug should be prescribed again by a specialist, taking into account all the circumstances of the disease and the patient's medical history. Only in this case can the doctor take responsibility for the outcome of the treatment.

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