The great variety and variety of drugs often makes the patient think: what drug is better to purchase? Particularly responsible consumers are choosing antibiotic. Users compare the composition, prices and principle of action of drugs. After that, they decide in favor of one or the other composition. Today's article will tell you on what points you can compare Amoxiclav and Amoxicillin. It is worth immediately warning that any medicine should be prescribed by a doctor. Do not self-medicate, especially when it comes to choosing an antibiotic.
Amoxicillin and Amoxiclav are one and the same?
Very often, consumers are interested in the comparative characteristics of these two drugs. It would seem that both medicines belong to penicillin antibiotics. The main active ingredient is amoxicillin. Both drugs are available in the form of tablets and suspensions. Does this mean that the drugs Amoxicillin and Amoxiclav are the same?
The same active substance, as it turned out, can work in different ways. The difference is that clavulanic acid is present in the Amoxiclav medicine. This is an additional component that significantly enhances the effectiveness of the drug. Then you can familiarize yourself with the action of the main substances. But you should not decide on your own, take Amoxiclav or Amoxicillin, since the doctor still has the last word.
Compare the cost of medicines
Many patients want to save on their own health. By purchasing Amoxiclav or Amoxicillin, they are repelled by the cost of these drugs. What can be said about this characteristic?
The drug "Amoxicillin" is available in many countries: Russia, Serbia, Austria. At the same time, its cost is approximately 120-150 rubles for 12 tablets containing 500 mg of amoxicillin. You can also purchase a lower dosage: 250 mg of active ingredient per pill for 50-70 rubles. High dosage is also in demand: 1 gram of amoxicillin per capsule. It costs 12 tablets about 200 rubles. You can buy a suspension of Amoxicillin at a pharmacy at a price of 140 rubles per 100 milliliters.
The antibiotic Amoxiclav is available in Slovenia. This medicine is more expensive than its predecessor:
- 15 tablets of 250 mg - 200 r .;
- 15 tablets of 500 mg - 350 r .;
- 15 tablets of 875 mg - 400 r .;
- suspension 250 mg - 300 r.
This medicine is also distinguished by the fact that dispersible tablets can be purchased: Amoxiclav Quicktab. If you evaluate the economic side of the issue and choose "Amoxiclav" or "Amoxicillin", then it is more profitable to buy the last drug.
How do antibiotics work?
Efficiency is the next item to consider when choosing Amoxicillin and Amoxiclav. The composition of both medicines is already known to you.
Instructions for use are Amoxicillin, a semi-synthetic antibiotic of the penicillin group, which has a broad spectrum antibacterial effect. The work of the drug is to damage the wall of the pathogenic microorganism at the stage of its reproduction. As a result of this, bacteria stop their growth, their complete elimination begins.
The drug "Amoxiclav" is positioned differently. The instruction says that this medicine has a broad spectrum antibacterial and bacteriostatic effect. This means that the active substance not only does not allow the number of microorganisms to grow, it is also able to eliminate already existing pathogenic cells.
Enhances the effectiveness of this antibiotic clavulanic acid. It does not allow bacteria resistant to amoxicillin to secrete beta-lactamase. As a result of this combination, the effectiveness of the antibiotic increases significantly, the medication is able to eliminate microorganisms resistant to Amoxicillin. It is worth noting that clavulanic acid itself does not have a clinically significant effect. So, the medicine "Amoxiclav" is considered more effective.
A bit of instruction: indications and contraindications
The patient needs to know a lot when choosing Amoxicillin and Amoxiclav. What do these medicines help from? Indications for the use of both means are the following cases:
- infections of the lower and upper respiratory tract and ENT organs (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media);
- bacterial diseases of the genital and urinary tract (urethritis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, endometritis);
- digestive infections (cholecystitis, enteritis);
- gastritis and ulcer caused by Helicobacter bacterium;
- bacterial lesions of the skin and soft tissues.
The drug "Amoxiclav", due to its greater effectiveness, has a wider spectrum of use. It is also prescribed for the treatment of infections of bone and connective tissue, the abdominal cavity, with the aim of prevention after surgery. Amoxiclav in any form is effective in staphylococcal infections, when its predecessor cannot cope with this pathology.
Contraindications in medicines coincide. Amoxicillin-based antibiotics are not prescribed for intolerance to the penicillin series, a possible allergic reaction. The drug "Amoxiclav" is not used for liver failure, infectious mononucleosis.
Which drug is best tolerated by the patient?
Both medicines - Amoxiclav and Amoxicillin - the difference between which is already obvious to you, can cause side effects. But as practice shows, cheap medicine is much better tolerated by consumers. Clavulanic acid in the composition of Amoxiclav often causes disturbances in the digestive tract. Patients develop nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The medicine often provokes an allergy. Such a reaction can occur in the most unexpected way: from skin rash and itching to severe swelling and shock. If your well-being with the use of antibiotics has worsened or you do not see any improvement within 2-3 days, then you should definitely see a doctor.
The method of application of analogues
Amoxiclav or Amoxicillin? Which is better to use? Both drugs in the form of tablets or suspensions are taken orally. But there is a difference between them. The antibiotic Amoxicillin can be used at any time, regardless of food intake. It is only important to observe the established dosage and the interval between servings.
Means "Amoksiklav" differs from its analogue in composition. The presence of clavulanic acid obliges the patient to take the medication at the beginning of the meal. In this way, you will achieve better absorption of the medication and minimize the likelihood of side effects.
Combination with alcohol
If you are going to take Amoxiclav or Amoxicillin, you should be prepared for the fact that you should stop drinking alcohol during treatment. Despite the fact that penicillin antibiotics rarely react with ethanol and almost never cause disulfiram-like reactions, refrain from drinking.
There are patients reporting that they took Amoxicillin and drank alcohol. At the same time, the effect of the treatment was not reduced, and health deterioration did not occur. With the medicine "Amoksiklav" everything is more serious. This drug is not recommended to be combined with alcohol, and after taking the last dose, at least a day should pass before the feast.
Amoxiclav or Amoxicillin - which is better?
You have learned a lot about these interchangeable drugs. Which one to choose?
- The antibiotics Amoxiclav and Amoxicillin have a difference in action. This is the first thing you should pay attention to. Amoxiclav is more effective, but it often causes unpleasant effects of therapy. If it is laboratory confirmed that in your case microorganisms are sensitive to Amoxicillin, then give preference to the latter.
- Look at the cost and decide whether it is acceptable for you to buy an expensive and effective Amoxiclav or can you buy a cheap Amoxicillin? If you are not sure that the latter will help, then it is better not to save.
- In order to prevent postoperative complications, it is worth using Amoxiclav, since Amoxicillin will be ineffective and will only undermine its own immunity.
Summarize
Despite the available information about medicines, you should not choose them yourself. Wrong antibiotic choice entails very unpleasant consequences. Consult a doctor and find out which remedy to choose in your case: Amoxicillin or Amoxiclav?