Amoxicillin clavulanate/potassium is an antibiotic called Augmentin--Co-amoxiclav in the United Kingdom or Clavamox in veterinary medicine. It is composed of two antibiotics, which gives it a wide spectrum of action. The combination of both antibiotics means it remains effective against amoxicillin-resistant bacteria. Patients should not take Augmentin if they are allergic to penicillin, as amoxicillin belongs to the same family.
Diarrhea
Turck and colleagues in the July 2003 issue of the "Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition" studied the incidence of diarrhea in children following the administration of antibiotics. They found that children who were prescribed amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium were more likely to suffer from diarrhea.
Liver Problems
Researchers in the "American Journal of Otolaryngology" describe a patient who developed liver complications following a four-week course of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Following the discontinuation of the antibiotic, the liver complications resolved.
Skin Problems
Like other antibiotics, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can cause skin rashes. In the September 2007 issue of "Pediatric Dermatology," researchers describe a case of a child who developed bullous dermatosis. This is a form of a blistering skin disease which resolved once the antibiotic had been stopped.
References
- "Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology Nutrition;" Incidence and Risk Factors of Oral Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in an Outpatient Pediatric Population; D. Turck, et al.; July 2003
- "American Journal of Otolaryngology;" Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid-Induced Hepatitis; J. Cundiff; January 2007
- "Pediatric Dermatology;" Childhood Linear IgA Bullous Disease Triggered by Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid; J. C. Ho, et al.; September 2007
Member Comments