Augmentin is a combination drug containing amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Amoxicillin is a penicillin-like antibiotic, while clavulanate lowers bacterial resistance to the antibiotic effects of the amoxicillin. The combination makes the medication more effective than amoxicillin alone for infections caused by specific strains of bacteria, notes Drugs.com. It's prescribed for infections of numerous body systems.
Urinary Tract
Augmentin works well against certain infections of the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract. While the antibiotic effect of amoxicillin is usually good, some bacteria secrete a substance called beta-lactamase that makes the amoxicillin less effective. The clavulanate component of Augmentin inactivates the beta-lactamase and increases the antibiotic effect of the amoxicillin, notes the Daily Med website. Augmentin may be prescribed for urinary tract infections caused by beta-lactamase-producing forms of E. coli, Enterobacter and Klebsiella bacteria.
Ears and Sinuses
Physicians often prescribe Augmentin for individuals who develop otitis media, or infections of the middle ear, and sinus infections. The drug is effective against the beta-lactamase-producing strains of M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae that create many ear, nose and throat infections, states Drugs.com. Patients should take all of the prescribed Augmentin, even after they feel better, to make sure all susceptible bacteria are killed.
Lower Respiratory Tract
Augmentin is often the drug of choice for infections of the lower respiratory tract, including the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and the air sacs in the lungs known as the alveoli. It works well against forms of H. influenzae and M. (Branhamella) catarrhalis that produce beta-lactamase, according to RxList.com. While laboratory cultures can identify the specific strain of bacteria along with the drugs that should work well against those organisms, it's not always practical to do a culture on every sick individual. Doctors consider the types of organisms common in their community at any given point in time and make treatment decisions accordingly.
Skin and Skin Structures
Augmentin works well for infections of the skin and skin structures that are caused by beta-lactamase-producing strains of Staph aureus, E. coli and Klebsiella. Because it overcomes the resistance from bacterial strains that produce beta-lactamase, Augmentin is a good starting point when someone has a boil or deeper skin infection such as cellulitis. However, the Daily Med website notes that doctors typically order bacterial cultures for significant skin infections. If these cultures don't identify beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, patients are usually switched to a different antibiotic to reduce the possibility of resistance to Augmentin.
