Children during their growth and maturity more than once have to deal with a variety of diseases. With each of them, parents should go to a specialist to get a competent appointment. However, few do so. In this case, the kids receive the wrong therapy, and complications begin. Most of these effects have to be eliminated with antibiotics. Such drugs are also taken for bacterial infections. This article will tell you how to use the Augmentin medication for a child. Reviews about this medicine are different. You will also learn about them later.
Form of drug release and general characteristics
The dosage of Augmentin may be different. This is reported by the instructions for use. The drug is available in the form of tablets, suspension for internal administration and powder, which, after dilution, is administered intravenously. So, the dose of the drug in each individual form can be 125, 200, 375, 400, 500, 600, 875 and 1000 mg of the active substance.
The main components of this drug are amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Depending on the type of drug, there are also additional components in it. So, for example, flavoring is present in syrup. The tablets contain talc and magnesium stearate.
The cost of the medicine. What determines the price?
For the drug "Augmentin" the price varies depending on what form and dosage of the medication you are acquiring. Remember that a doctor should select a portion of a medicinal substance. After that, you can go to the pharmacy chain and purchase the appropriate medication.
Pills at a dose of 375 milligrams will cost you about 300 rubles. When you buy capsules of 1000 milligrams, you will have to pay almost 500 rubles for the medicine. The price for Augmentin syrup is slightly higher than for the same dose of tablets. So, one package of this form of the drug costs almost 400 rubles.
The use of Augmentin in children: indications for treatment
The described medicine is prescribed to children by a pediatrician. In this case, it is recommended to preliminarily pass an analysis of sensitivity to microorganisms. During such a study, the resistance of the pathogenic flora to the described substance is determined. After such an analysis, the doctor can prescribe a suitable medicine with confidence.
Indications for use of the drug in a child should be as follows:
- bacterial damage to the upper and lower parts of the respiratory system (tonsillitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and so on);
- infections of the genitourinary sphere (pyelonephritis, bacteriuria, cystitis);
- diseases of the skin (ulcers, gangrene, erysipelas);
- ear diseases (otitis media of purulent, acute and chronic form, eustachitis);
- gonorrhea and other diseases of the genital area;
- mixed infections of various origins (at the discretion of the doctor).
Restrictions on the use of the drug: what are the contraindications?
Not in every case, you can use the drug "Augmentin" for the child. Reviews of experts suggest that some children are allergic to antibiotics of the penicillin series. In this case, the purpose of the described drug is strictly contraindicated. Also, do not use the tool in the presence of hypersensitivity to any of its components.
It is contraindicated to use the drug "Augmentin" for jaundice or acute liver failure. If previously such a reaction was observed immediately after the use of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, then the appointment of the drug is unacceptable.
The dosage of Augmentin significantly affects the possibility of its use. Tablets are never used in children under the age of 12 years. For this form of medicine, the patient must have a body weight of more than 40 kilograms. The drug in the form of a suspension is not prescribed for children up to 3 months.
It is contraindicated to use the drug in acute renal failure or impaired function of this organ. Do not prescribe medication to people with phenylketonuria. Please note that the syrup for internal use contains sugar.
The antibiotic regimen for children of different ages
How to use the medicine "Augmentin" with angina and other types of pathology? The dose of the drug depends on the age and body weight of the patient. Also, experts pay attention to the severity of the disease.
The daily norm of the drug for children after 12 years is 750 mg. Divide this amount into three steps. If the disease is severe, then the dosage can be increased to 1750 milligrams of the active substance.
For babies from three months, the remedy is prescribed depending on body weight. With a mild course of pathology, 20 milligrams of the drug for every kilogram of weight is used. If the infection is severe, then 40 milligrams is prescribed. Moreover, the indicated portion is taken three times a day. Two-time use is acceptable, but in this case, the amount of medicine increases to 45 milligrams per kilogram.
How to calculate Augmentin: an example
Specialists usually prescribe a strictly defined amount of medication. They may recommend that your baby take, for example, 5, 6, or 7 milliliters of a suspension. However, you should always double-check this appointment. Remember that overdoses of the drug often lead to unpleasant consequences.
How to calculate the portion that is ideal for your child is prescribed in the instructions. For example, your baby has a body weight of 10 kilograms in its 8 months. How much medicine is he supposed to? With a mild illness, 20 milligrams of amoxicillin per kilogram is prescribed. This is 200 milligrams of the active substance for your child. Please note that the suspension also has different dosages. If you have Augmentin 400 syrup (5 ml), then your baby should receive 2.5 milliliters of this medicine.
In severe cases of the disease, 40 milligrams per kilogram of the childโs weight is prescribed. This will correspond to 400 milligrams of amoxicillin. In this case, the crumbs are supposed to take 5 milliliters of the drug at a time.
Features of treating children
Means โAugmentinโ for angina and other diseases is taken for at least five days. This condition is required. If itโs even easier for the baby and you donโt want to give him an extra portion of the medicine, you will have to take the medication at the strictly indicated time. With premature withdrawal of the described drug, there is a high probability of the development of resistance of microorganisms to it. At the same time, the next time the specified medication simply does not help the child. The maximum duration of therapy is two weeks.
The use of the drug can be carried out, regardless of food intake. However, to reduce adverse reactions, it is recommended to use the composition at the very beginning of the meal. For babies up to two years, the medicine can be diluted with water in a proportion of one to one. This means that if you take 5 milliliters of the drug, you can add them to one teaspoon of water. Therapy of newborns is carried out strictly within the walls of the hospital under the supervision of doctors and daily monitoring of the state of the blood.
Adverse reactions to the use of the described composition
The drug "Augmentin 200" for children can cause some adverse reactions, as well as other dosages of this drug. One of these is allergies. Usually it is manifested by a rash, itching of the skin and banal urticaria. Less commonly, a more serious complication may begin - bronchospasm and edema.
From the digestive system, Augmentin (syrup or tablets) can cause nausea, vomiting, a change in taste in the mouth, and other symptoms. To maximize their manifestation, take the drug during the meal.
"Augmentin" (syrup) should always be washed down with water. The drug should not be kept in the mouth. This can lead to the development of a fungal infection on the mucous membrane. Rarely, blood diseases occur during treatment. However, if they are present, the pathology may worsen.
Often during treatment, patients complain of abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, and increased gas formation. If any adverse reaction develops, you need to inform your doctor about it. If possible, the specialist will adjust the treatment. Less commonly, complete drug withdrawal is performed. There are recorded cases of deaths associated with the use of the described tool. Usually these are people who have had serious liver disease. At the same time, this medication aggravated the clinical picture and led to the failure of the organ.
Combination of an antibacterial agent with other medicines
Often the medicine "Augmentin 400" and other forms of the drug are prescribed simultaneously with other medicines. In this case, you should always discuss the scheme of their use with a doctor. It is acceptable to use complexes of beneficial bacteria at the same time. These drugs will help to reduce the number and strength of adverse reactions.
Often, the drug is combined with sorbents. These funds must be taken at least two hours apart. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the antibiotic will be greatly reduced.
Doctors' opinions on the drug
About the drug "Augmentin" for the child, reviews of doctors report that the medication should be taken strictly according to the instructions. In this case, it will be effective and safe. The medicine is not canceled with the development of mild side effects. However, in severe adverse reactions, therapy should be discontinued.
If during the treatment period the child develops an allergy, then specialists should enter these data into the card. Subsequently, this baby should not be prescribed antibacterial drugs of the penicillin series.
Consumer reviews on the use of amoxicillin-based antibiotic in children
The use of the drug "Augmentin" for a child reviews is mostly good. Consumers say that the product in the form of a syrup has a pleasant taste. Many kids take this drug with pleasure.
However, many parents testify that during the period of therapy the child develops diarrhea and nausea. Many children react to the use of syrup with vomiting. At the same time, the effect of treatment is reduced, since part of the medication goes back. Everything is explained by the fact that the medicine affects the intestinal microflora and stomach. Clavulanic acid enhances the effect of the antibiotic, thereby destroying the beneficial microflora too.
Recovery after treatment: what do doctors prescribe?
Often, after the Augmentin medication, doctors prescribe drugs for the child to restore the body. These are immunity enhancers. Vitamin complexes and probiotics may also be recommended.
All these medicines will help your baby recover from antibiotic therapy. They will normalize the intestines, improve digestion. In connection with an increase in immunity, the body's resistance to viruses and bacteria will increase. Please note that all of these drugs should be prescribed by a specialist. In this case, the individual peculiarity of the baby, his age and weight is always taken into account.
Conclusion of the article: latest recommendations
You found out information about the Augmentin medication. 5 ml is the most commonly prescribed dose for a child. However, do not blindly rely on the qualifications of a doctor. After all, the specialist does not know at what dosage you will purchase the medicine. That is why during the consultation ask the doctor how to correctly calculate the portion put to your baby. Also, in the pharmacy network, specify the type of medicine and its dosage that you need.
Remember that antibiotics are not able to overcome viral infections. Such drugs are not used for prevention. Their appointment must have certain indications and conditions. Do not prescribe this medicine to your child yourself. If you develop a disease, contact your pediatrician. Consulting a doctor and the correct appointment is a guarantee that the treatment will take a minimum of time and effort. If the drug "Augmentin" does not help you for three days, and the child becomes worse, do not wait for the end of treatment. This medicine may not suit you. See your doctor for treatment adjustment. Good health to your child!