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| Pronunciation |
|
 (a
moks i SIL in & klav yoo LAN
ate poe TASS ee um) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Augmentin® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Clavulin® (Canada); Clavulin®
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antibiotic, Penicillin |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to penicillin, amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, or
any other part of the medicine.
- If you have an allergy to another related antibiotic called a
cephalosporin, talk with healthcare provider.
- Do not use with
disulfiram.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used as a treatment for a variety of bacterial
infections.
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| How does it work? |
|
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- Amoxicillin makes the cell wall (skin) of the bacteria leaky and kills
the bacteria.
- Clavulanate protects amoxicillin from being destroyed by certain
bacteria. This gives the combination product a better ability to kill more kinds
of bacteria and to be used in more difficult
infections.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine is given. Shake well first.
- Chewable tablet may be crushed or chewed. Do not swallow whole.
- Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling
better.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can make infection
more difficult to treat.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Birth control pills may not work. Use another form of birth control
while taking this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum
, or Lactobacillus acidophilus
may help. These products are available at health food stores or in some
pharmacies.
- Rash.
- Vaginal irritation. Report itching or discharge to healthcare
provider.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- If you are diabetic, this medication may interfere with
Clinitest®. Use another method of urine glucose testing
like Clinistix® or Tes-Tape®.
- Watch for change in temperature or worsening of
infection.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Fever and/or chills.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store liquid (suspension) in the refrigerator. Throw away if medicine
is not used in 10 days.
- Store tablets in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from
moisture.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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