Information About the Medication Augmentin
Augmentin is a brand name for a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections. A combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate, Augmentin poses a risk for side effects in some patients.
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Function
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Amoxicillin destroys bacterial cells by interfering with the processes bacteria use to produce energy; however, certain enzymes in bacteria have the potential to break down amoxicillin and make it less effective. Clavulanate is added to Augmentin because it destroys these enzymes and allows amoxicillin to kill the bacteria.
Types of Bacteria
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Augmentin treats infections caused by a number of types of bacteria, including influenzae, catarrhalis, E. coli, staph and Enterobacter. Augmentin is effective at treating infections that occur in your respiratory tract, ears, sinuses, skin and urinary tract.
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Time Frame
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For adults, the normal dosage of Augmentin is 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every eight hours, according to RxList. Children are usually given the same dosage as adults, provided they weigh more than 88 pounds.
Risks
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The most common side effects of Augmentin are diarrhea, nausea, skin rashes, vomiting and vaginal infections. The most serious risks of Augmentin are life-threatening allergic reactions to the amoxicillin in the drug and inflammation of the colon or colitis.
Considerations
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Doctors normally do not prescribe Augmentin for pregnant women, and the drug is not approved for children who weigh less than 88 pounds. If you have a medical history of chronic diarrhea, liver or kidney disease, mononucleosis or phenylketonuria, it may not be safe for you to take Augmentin, warns the Mayo Clinic.
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