If a child is sick in the house, then parents often panic and are ready to relieve the crumbs of suffering with all their might. Not only the recommendations of friends and relatives are used, but also well-known folk methods. However, modern medicine warns parents from hobbies with such techniques and advises immediately contacting specialists so as not to start the disease. If your child is infected with a bacterial infection, then, unfortunately, you can not do without an antibiotic. Therefore, most often children from three to twelve years old are prescribed a suspension of Augmentin. For children, this drug is as safe and effective as possible. However, many parents encounter problems in preparing the suspension and calculating its dosage. Therefore, today we will give the most detailed and useful information about the Augmentin suspension: dosage for children, instructions for use, side effects and contraindications of the drug.
Description of the drug
Most parents are wary of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. However, they should not be neglected, because they are very effective in combating infectious and bacterial diseases. It is impossible to cope with them without the use of such drugs, so the consequences can be very deplorable for the child. Suspension for children "Augmentin" is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that successfully copes with a large species of bacteria. Most often, this drug is prescribed for respiratory diseases. These include bronchitis, pneumonia and the like diseases. The drug is also effective in the fight against otitis media, tonsillitis. It is often prescribed to patients in the postoperative period to avoid infection of a weakened organism. Often, "Augmentin" is prescribed for cystitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system.
In general, experts characterize the Augmentin suspension for children as a drug that gives high results with a minimum of negative effects. Therefore, it is often prescribed to children from a very early age and even to women who are expecting the birth of a baby.
Release forms: we understand names
The theme of our article is Augmentin suspension for children, but the drug does not exist as a special form for the child. In reality, the drug has several specific forms of release. In Russian sales you can find Augmentin, Augmentin EU and Augmentin SR.
The first type is made in three versions:
- tablets;
- powder in ampoules for injections;
- "Augmentin" suspension (dosage for children is determined taking into account age and body weight).
If you are interested in suspension, then you can get Augmentin EU. It is a powder from which a suspension is prepared for oral administration.
"Augmentin SR" manufacturer produces only in tablet form. They are characterized by a prolonged action and a high number of auxiliary components in the composition.
It must be understood that all of the listed species diversity of the drug is absolutely identical to each other in composition and indications. For example, the suspension "Augmentin" instructions for children and adults will have exactly the same as tablets or powder for injections. But here the concentration of the main substance in the composition can be different. Therefore, the doctor rarely reports the full name when prescribing a drug. Most often, its form and concentration are mentioned. For example, the attending doctor may prescribe for children a suspension of Augmentin 400 or 125, without specifying the type of agent. However, the pharmacist in the pharmacy will know exactly what you need.
The composition of the drug
Suspended suspension for children "Augmentin" 125 has a composition identical to other types of drug. Based on this, doctors often prescribe a suspension for the treatment of infectious diseases for adults. This usually happens when the patient cannot swallow the capsules and it is easier for him to be treated with the drug in liquid form. Therefore, the active substances of all varieties of this antibiotic are the same, the difference is only in concentration.
So, the main components of the drug are the following substances:
- Amoxicillin. This antibiotic is well known to most doctors, it belongs to the group of penicillins and has a wide spectrum of action. It acts on almost all bacteria that cause the most common infectious diseases of various organs. Moreover, from the huge number of antibiotics used in medicine, this drug is considered the safest. It is suitable even for pregnant women, infants, and is often prescribed to women breastfeeding a baby. The disadvantages of amoxicillin include the high adaptability of bacteria to its dosage. They very quickly begin to produce special substances that can destroy the antibiotic that enters the body. Therefore, amoxicillin alone has a very limited spectrum of action, but in Augmentin it is in combination with another substance.
- Clavulanic acid. This component blocks substances produced by microorganisms against amoxicillin. It is this fact that contributes to the fact that treatment continues to be effective. Quite often, clavulanic acid makes microorganisms sensitive to the first component of the drug that are not previously released by susceptibility to its action.
It is the combination of the two components described above that makes Augmentin so effective that it is prescribed not only in the initial stages of the disease, but also in advanced situations or when a hidden course of the disease is detected.
Powder for injection, tablets and suspension "Augmentin": dosage
For children and adults, the specialist selects a certain concentration of the drug and writes an individual dosage regimen. We will talk about this in detail in one of the following sections of the article. But before that, you need to understand how the dosage of the drug is indicated on its packaging.
Since we found that the drug consists of only two components, the dosage is always indicated for both of the substances. Both numbers can be seen, for example, in the instructions for use with the Augmentin suspension (for children and adults, the method of diluting the mixture to a ready-to-use product will be identical). The first number printed on the package indicates the concentration of amoxicillin, and the next - clavulanic acid. However, pharmacists and doctors often omit the second indicator, focusing on the first of the numbers. Therefore, we often see in the recipe, for example, a suspension of Augmentin 400 (for children, this concentration is considered quite strong). It is the concentration of amoxicillin that determines the effectiveness of the drug in many situations.
To date, several dosages of the Augmentin suspension are known:
- 200 (for children, a dosage equal to this is prescribed quite often);
- 125;
- 400.
It should be borne in mind that the medicine looks like a bottle with the fine whitish powder contained in it, and in the finished form, the concentration of the antibiotic in the solution is measured only based on a volume of five milliliters of the latter. That is, if you were prescribed Augmentin 125 suspension, the dosage for children and adults will be calculated as follows: in five milliliters of the solution, one hundred and twenty-five milligrams of amoxicillin. Other dosages are calculated in the same way.
Interestingly, most patients consider Augmentin suspension for children. By the way, this point is not reflected in the instructions for use. Since a similar form of the drug is used by patients regardless of the severity of the infection and has no age restrictions. Therefore, you should not consider the suspension to be a purely children's drug, although a child under the age of twelve will most likely be prescribed this form.
Indications for use
The most actively used in medicine is the antibiotic described by us, produced in three different forms. For example, regardless of the schedule of administration and daily dosage, the suspension "Augmentin 400" for children and adults will be as effective as capsules and injections. And therefore, all these forms of the drug are distinguished by identical indications for use:
- Otitis, sinusitis and rhinitis in the initial stages and with frequent relapses.
- Chronic bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.
- Infectious infection of the genitourinary system in patients of any gender.
- Infectious problems with the skin and soft tissues (abscess or boils, for example).
- Osteomyelitis.
It should be borne in mind that Augmentin EU is also available as a suspension . This drug is prescribed only if a short course of treatment is necessary. Indications for its use are very limited:
- Pneumonia (not related to the hospital form).
- Bronchitis in the chronic and acute stages.
- Acute sinusitis caused by bacteria.
- Preventive measures to prevent infectious diseases after surgery in the dental field.
Injections of the drug have their own list of indications, but in the framework of our article we will not give it.
General application
Suspension "Augmentin 200" (we will talk about the dosage for children a little later) and the drug in a different concentration differ in certain reception rules, which are important for patients of any age.
Before any use, the medicine is measured with a special cap with a scale or a syringe with special divisions. It is best to take a solution with the very first piece of food, as this significantly reduces the risk of negative effects. In situations where, in connection with taste preferences, children refuse to drink the product in its pure form, it can be diluted with water. The proportion in such situations is built on a one-to-one basis.
Consider that it is necessary to take medicine at identical time intervals. If you are scheduled to receive twice a day, then this is done strictly after twelve hours. The doctor prescribes the course of treatment with the drug, but it can not be less than five days. The maximum possible treatment period is limited to two weeks. After the doctor should conduct a series of examinations. If they reveal a slow, but positive dynamics, then the specialist can extend the treatment for another one or two weeks.
In especially difficult cases, the doctor prescribes a step-by-step course of treatment. It is a combination of several forms of the drug in series.
Be sure to purchase the drug indicated in the prescription dosage. You can not take medicine of a lower concentration, but in a double volume. Such substitutions cannot be considered identical.
How to understand that you need a suspension?
If your child has not yet reached the age of twelve, or his weight is less than forty kilograms, then you are shown only a suspension. Crumbs up to three months of age tolerate only one concentration of amoxicillin - 125 milligrams. This must be considered when buying an antibiotic.
The instructions for the suspension "Augmentin 400" for children indicate age over twelve years. The same dosage is ideal for adults. A lower concentration may not be effective.
Suspension Preparation: General Scheme
Patients who have purchased powder in a pharmacy for the preparation of a medicine should understand that it must be prepared immediately. It is strictly forbidden to divide it into several parts. The suspension should be prepared in one step and only then measured in the amount indicated by the doctor.
Correctly preparing the suspension is quite simple, we will give the scheme below:
- add sixty milliliters of water to the bottle;
- shake the vessel until the grains are completely dissolved;
- leave the container on a flat surface for approximately five minutes;
- see if sediment remains at the bottom;
- shake the vessel one more time if necessary;
- the finished suspension should not contain undissolved grains of powder.
At the final stage, add boiled water to the label indicated on the bottle. Keep in mind that the finished product should be stored in the refrigerator, but not longer than one week. If you are prescribed a longer treatment, you will need to purchase a new package and prepare a fresh medicine. Using the drug older than seven days is strictly prohibited.
Instructions for the suspension for children "Augmentin 200"
In the current section, we will consider the rules for using the drug, not only the specified dosage, but also any others. In addition, we will show you how to calculate the concentration of the main components for small patients of different ages.
So, it is important for parents to remember that before each use, the medicine bottle must be shaken. The dosage is selected by the doctor individually. It proceeds from the disease itself, the severity of its course, as well as the age and weight of the child.
It is worth considering that a small patient under two years old is better to prescribe a medicine marked "125". Older children are free to take the drug with a higher concentration. But we make a reservation that it is only necessary to clarify all such nuances with the attending physician.
For babies up to three months, the dosage is calculated as follows:
- for a crumb at this age, a ratio of thirty milligrams of an antibiotic per kilogram of its own weight is safe;
- the resulting volume must be converted to milliliters;
- this dose should be divided into two doses at equal time intervals.
For a small patient from three months to twelve years of age, the calculation will occur a little differently. But in each situation, the age and weight of the baby is taken into account. For example, if Augmentin 125 is assigned to you, then all the calculations will be oriented at twenty to forty milligrams per kilogram of weight. With Augmentin 200 and Augmentin 400, twenty-five to forty-five milligrams per kilogram are taken.
Moreover, it is extremely important to consider that the lower threshold is suitable for determining the concentration in tonsillitis or infectious skin infections. The highest possible dosage can be taken in situations when it comes to all other infections that can be treated with this drug.
Do not forget that the "Augmentin 125" is usually taken three times a day after eight hours. Other dosages should be designed for a two-time intake after twelve hours. This factor must be taken into account when making dosage calculations for the child.
There is also a general rough outline. We give it below.
Number of contraindications
Despite the fact that "Augmentin" is quite common and popular among doctors, it still has its contraindications. First of all, the drug should not be used for people with an allergic reaction to its components, as well as for patients suffering from jaundice and other liver problems.
Suspension is contraindicated in children with some impaired brain functions and very carefully should be assigned to crumbs up to three months. The entire course of treatment they need to be under the close supervision of a doctor.
Side effect
In general, the drug is considered as safe as possible, but as a result of clinical studies, pharmacists have identified all possible side effects. It is worth noting that they are extremely rare, but we can’t tell about them.
One of the side effects is candidiasis of the mucous membranes. During treatment, fluctuations in the level of leukocytes, platelets and eosinophils are possible. It is also quite possible the development of anemia and a decrease in blood coagulability.
The nervous system can respond to an antibiotic with various problems. These include anxiety, insomnia, convulsions and hyperactivity. These symptoms may be accompanied by dizziness, headaches and migraines.
Situations were noted when taking the drug causes diarrhea, indigestion, digestive problems, exacerbation of colitis and gastritis, pain in the stomach and even darkening of the tooth enamel.
Rashes in the form of urticaria, accompanied by itching and a rash, were observed on the skin of some patients. In certain cases, dermatitis of a different nature and localization was noted.
In conclusion, I would like to add that Augmentin is a high-quality drug that is very effective in the fight against infectious diseases. In the case of treating children, it is the safest option for health, which will help to quickly cope even with the most severe form of the disease.