"Augmentin EU": instructions for use and reviews

No one is immune from diseases of an infectious nature. The fragile children's organism is especially vulnerable. To treat babies from the age of 3 months, doctors often prescribe Augmentin EU. It is a powerful antibiotic that is in the form of a suspension. In order for the children to take the drug with pleasure, the manufacturer gave it a pleasant berry taste.

Basic information about the drug

"Augmentin EC" is a powder from which a suspension is prepared for oral administration. The drug is packaged in bottles, the contents of which are enough to prepare 100 ml of the drug. The dosage of the active substance (amoxicillin) is 600 mg. As an auxiliary substance, clavulanic acid in an amount of 42.9 mg, silicon dioxide, sodium carboxide, asparcum, xanthan gum, as well as strawberry flavoring, which facilitates the use of the drug for small children, are used.

Basic properties

Augmentin EU is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is semi-synthetic. Amoxicillin shows increased activity against a huge number of pathogens. However, it is sensitive to beta-lactamase and is destroyed by its influence. Thus, amoxicillin is ineffective in the fight against microorganisms that produce this enzyme.

Clavulanic acid is characterized by a structure that in many ways resembles penicillin. This leads to pronounced activity against beta-lactamases, which often cause the development of antibiotic resistance. Thus, the presence of this acid in the composition of the Augmentin EU drug protects the main component from destruction under the influence of various enzymes and expands the spectrum of its antibacterial action. Thus, even those bacteria that are usually resistant to amoxicillin die under the influence of this drug.

It can be said that Augmentin EC (suspension) exhibits properties not only of an antibiotic, but also of a beta-lactamase inhibitor. The bactericidal properties of a relatively wide range of microorganisms make this drug particularly effective. It is worth noting that both amoxicillin and clavulanic acid are characterized by a low degree of binding to blood proteins. Thus, more than 70% of the active substance remains in plasma unchanged.

Main indications

Doctors have already managed to evaluate the effectiveness of such a drug as Augmentin EU (suspension). It is prescribed for patients who have been diagnosed with the following problems:

• bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract, as well as ears, nose and throat (microorganisms should not have resistance to the active components of the antibiotic in question);
• persistent or recurrent otitis media (as a rule, this drug is prescribed for children if other antibacterial agents have been ineffective);
• sinusitis and tonsillopharyngitis;
• lobar, bronchopneumonic and other infections of the lower respiratory tract;
• skin infections, as well as inflammatory processes in the soft tissues.

Contraindications

Unfortunately, not everyone can take a drug such as Augmentin EU (suspension for children). The instruction contains information about the following main contraindications:

• hypersensitivity to the active components of the drug, which can be detected in the laboratory;
• the presence of jaundice;
• hepatic dysfunction, which was caused by the reception of "Augmentin" in the past.

The drug "Augmentin EU": instructions for use for children

In order for the medicine to have the desired effect on the body, it is important to take it correctly, observing the schedule and the recommended amounts. Augmentin EC (suspension for children) is usually taken within 10 days. In this case, the drug should be ingested twice a day, with an interval of 12 hours.

It is worth noting that this medicine is permissible to give to children older than 3 months of age. Moreover, clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the drug in the treatment of patients whose body weight did not exceed 36 kg. For children heavier than 40 kg, as well as adults, experiments were not carried out, and therefore it is impossible to talk about its effectiveness.

Depending on the child’s body weight, the amount of consumed Augmentin EC-600 is determined (suspension for children). The dosage is as follows:

It is worth noting that this dosage is valid only for the drug in question. Augmentin EC (suspension for children) is characterized by a unique ratio of active and auxiliary components that are not characteristic of any other form of Augmentin.

How to minimize the negative effects on the stomach?

Antibiotic Augmentin EU-600, like any other similar product, has a negative effect on the stomach and the digestive system as a whole. To minimize this harmful effect, it is recommended to take the suspension during meals (ideally at the very beginning of the meal). This method of use not only provides protection of the walls of the stomach, but also contributes to the optimal absorption of active components.

How is the suspension prepared?

In the form of powder, which is contained in a small bottle, it enters the pharmacy chain Augmentin EU-600. Turning the powder into a healing potion is not at all difficult. Suspension for children is prepared as follows:

1. In a bottle with a powder with a capacity of 100 ml, you need to add 90 ml of water (you need to do this in two passes).
2. First you need to enter about 2/3 of the total liquid volume, so that the powder is completely covered with water.
3. The bottle must be closed with a cap and shaken thoroughly to bring the contents of the container to a homogeneous liquid state.
4. Add the rest of the required volume of water (pay attention to the mark on the bottle) and shake well again.
5. Leave the vial filled with the suspension at rest for 5 minutes, so that all the components of the drug are interconnected (dispersion process).
6. If you did everything correctly, you should get a white liquid that has a grayish or yellowish tint.

Feasible side effects

Like any other antibiotic, it leads to some side effects of Augmentin EC-600 (suspension for children). The manual contains information on the following possible problems:

It is worth noting that many side effects occur after the end of taking the drug "Augmentin EU-600". Instructions for use contain information that the first manifestations may occur even a few weeks after cancellation.

Overdose

It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions while taking the drug "Augmentin EU" (suspension). Dosage for children should be strictly observed in order to avoid unpleasant consequences. If the child took more medicine than prescribed, there may be an upset gastrointestinal tract, as well as dehydration. In this case, you should stop taking the drug and go to symptomatic treatment, paying special attention to restoring the water balance. In some cases, an overdose is accompanied by crystalluria. Then the doctor may decide on the use of hemodialysis to remove the drug from the blood.

Features of the use of the drug

The doctors in the treatment of children with the antibiotic Augmentin EU have quite a lot of experience. The instruction contains a lot of useful information regarding the proper administration of the drug. Nevertheless, given the rather aggressive formula, we can talk about some of the features that accompany the treatment process. So, we are talking about the following:

• Before you start taking the drug, you need to undergo a full medical examination to identify allergic reactions or individual intolerance to any components of the medication.
• If in the past the patient had a negative reaction to penicillin, then Augmentin should not be used. This can lead to hypersensitivity, which often leads to death.
• If an allergic reaction occurs, the reception of "Augmentin" should be stopped immediately. This should be followed by a visit to a doctor who will prescribe symptomatic treatment and alternative therapy.
• If anaphylactic reactions occur, emergency treatment with adrenaline is often required. In addition, oxygen therapy can be prescribed, as well as intravenous steroid management and intubation in order to maintain respiratory function.
• If infectious mononucleosis is suspected, treatment with Augmentin is strictly contraindicated. Otherwise, a rash that is similar to measles is very likely.
• Prolonged use of the drug can provoke activation of microorganisms that are insensitive to Augmentin EU.
• In general, the drug is well tolerated by patients, because it has low toxicity indicators. However, with prolonged use, regular monitoring of liver and kidney function is necessary.
• Occasionally, problems with blood circulation and blood clots may occur. Particular attention is required to the patient's condition when taking anticoagulants in parallel.
• For patients diagnosed with liver dysfunction, Augmentin EC should be taken with extreme caution and under the constant supervision of a physician.
• In patients with impaired renal function, the dosage should be adjusted in accordance with well-being and diagnostic indicators.
• When using the drug in patients with reduced urine secretion, crystalluria may occur. To minimize the likelihood of such manifestations, it is necessary to regularly monitor the balance between fluid intake and urine excreted from the body.
• Given that asparkum is part of the drug in question, it should be used with caution in patients who are diagnosed with phenylketonuria.
• In the course of laboratory research and experiments, no negative impact on the ability of patients to drive vehicles and other mechanisms was revealed. In principle, this indicator cannot be considered significant, given that the suspension is prescribed mainly for children.

Drug interaction

For patients taking Augmentin EC, the instructions for use establish some restrictions on the simultaneous use of certain drugs. So, the parallel use of "Probenecid", which reduces the renal secretion of amoxicillin, is not recommended. Long-term simultaneous use can lead to an increase in the level of amoxicillin in the blood, but does not affect the concentration of clavulanic acid.

The simultaneous use of "Allopurinol" leads to an increase in the likelihood of allergic reactions (especially skin). No more in-depth studies on this issue have been conducted. Also, attending physicians should warn their patients that Augmentin, like any other antibiotic, reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. But for the tool described in the article, this information does not really matter.

Reception during pregnancy and lactation

Studies in animals have not revealed any teratogenic effects. Thus, the risk of congenital anomalies of the fetus when taking Augmentin does not increase (compared with other antibiotics). As for the practical use of this drug by pregnant women, there is an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in newborns. Thus, during the period of gestation, it is better to refrain from using this drug, unless the expected benefit does not exceed the possible risk.

Speaking about the lactation period, it is worth noting that the active components of the drug are excreted in breast milk. There is no data on the negative impact of these substances on the development of a baby who is breast-fed. However, he may experience stool disorders and fungal infections of the mucous membrane. Thus, if the doctor considered it necessary to appoint a woman Augmentin, breast-feeding for this period should be discontinued.

Analogs

If for some reason you can’t take Augmentin EU, you can choose one of the many analogues on the market. So, according to the action, such drugs are most similar:

• "Abiklav" is a semi-synthetic antibiotic based on the action of amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate. Many gram-positive and gram-negative anaerobes and others are sensitive to it. The drug is prescribed for bacterial sinusitis, otitis media, chronic bronchitis in the acute phase, cystitis, pneumonia, infections of the skin and soft tissues, as well as bones and joints.
• A-Klaw-Farmeks is a powder for the preparation of a solution for intravenous injection. The drug belongs to the group of antibacterial agents for systemic use. The basis of the antibiotic is a mixture of amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate. The drug shows good results in the treatment of mixed infections, diseases of the ENT organs, as well as other bacterial infections.
• "Betaclav" is an antibiotic for systemic use, which includes amoxicillin trihydrate and potassium clavulanate. These are small oval tablets coated with a white film coating. This is a semi-synthetic agent with pronounced antibacterial activity. It also has the properties of a beta-lactamase inhibitor, which determines the activity of a relatively wide range of pathogens. The drug is prescribed for bacterial sinusitis, otitis media, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, cystitis, as well as infections of tissues and bones.
• Coact is a white granular powder for the preparation of an oral suspension. The chemical composition is based on amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate. Like previous drugs, this drug is indicated for bacterial diseases of ENT organs, exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, as well as skin, bone and tissue infections. Excipients of the drug expand the spectrum of its activity, activating the fight against penicillin-resistant microorganisms.

Positive reviews

If your doctor has prescribed Augmentin EU, the reviews will help you sort out and make the final decision on taking this drug. So, from the positive comments it is worth noting the following:

• the drug combines two active substances that differ in pronounced antibacterial activity;
• the suspension is prepared quickly and easily (just add cool boiled water);
• quickly copes with complex diseases;
• the package contains detailed detailed instructions from which comprehensive information about the drug can be obtained;
• in the kit there is a spoon, which is easy to measure the required amount of suspension;
• the medicine smells nice of fruits and berries;
• improvement is often observed after the first day of taking the drug (provided that it was selected correctly).

Negative reviews

Many conflicting opinions can be heard about such a drug as Augmentin EC (suspension for children). Reviews contain such negative comments:

• the shelf life of the drug is 10 days, and therefore, if you do not have time to consume the entire amount of the suspension, the remains will have to be thrown away;
• the drug is stored in the refrigerator, and therefore, every time before taking it, you have to warm it to room temperature;
• despite the fact that there is a berry flavor, the suspension has a rather specific taste, which is not very popular with children;
• while taking the drug, many children lose their appetite, which makes it difficult to use the suspension with food;
• if you do not take funds to normalize microflora, there may be an upset stomach and stool;
• it is difficult to calculate the dosage, depending on the age and body weight of the child (it is better if the doctor does this);
• high price, compared with other similar drugs (about 400 rubles per bottle).

Conclusion

Many people consider taking antibiotics undesirable, because they destroy not only pathogenic, but also beneficial microflora of the body. Nevertheless, in order to prevent serious complications, experts prescribe Augmentin EU to their patients. Suspension for children, the instruction for use of which contains comprehensive information, has a pronounced effect. Despite the many side effects characteristic of antibiotics, the drug quickly copes with the problem, alleviating the condition from the first day of administration. But it should be borne in mind that self-medication is unacceptable. The medication should be prescribed by a doctor!