Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (High Dose Therapy)

What is Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (High Dose Therapy) for?

The following leaflet addresses the use of higher doses of amoxicillin and co-amoxiclav/amoxicillin-clavulanate in children when treating their infections.

Both Amoxicillin and Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate contain amoxicillin as the active ingredient. Amoxicillin belongs to a group of antibiotics known as penicillin, and is used to treat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria, including infections of the chest (pneumonia), middle ear (otitis media), sinuses (sinusitis), tonsils (tonsillitis), urinary tract, and skin and soft tissue.

High-dose amoxicillin (such as 80 to 90mg/kg/day) is usually prescribed to overcome the antibiotic resistance that has developed to the common bacteria that may cause these infections  such as the following:

• Chest (pneumonia)
• Ear (otitis media), and/or
• Sinuses (sinusitis)

How should I take or use Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (High Dose Therapy)?

• Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate is usually taken two or three times a day.
• You may take this medication after food to reduce stomach discomfort.

What should I do if I forget to take or use Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (High Dose Therapy)?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (High Dose Therapy)?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies. 

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (High Dose Therapy)?

Take probiotics at least 2 hours apart from antibiotics as the antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of probiotics.

What are some common side effects of Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (High Dose Therapy)?

Some common side effects that you may experience include:

• Nause and upset stomach
• Take the medication with or after food
• Diarrhoea
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated

Very rarely, this medication may cause severe watery and/or bloody diarrhea, fever and painful stomach cramps. This can happen one to two days after you start taking an antibiotic, up to several weeks after you finish taking the antibiotic. This is due to overgrowth of the bacterium, C. difficile, in the colon.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these rare or drug allergy symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (High Dose Therapy)?

• Depending on whether you are taking the tablet or the suspension, the storage conditions may differ.  Ask your healthcare professionals about the proper storage conditions of the antibiotic you are taking.

How do I throw away Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (High Dose Therapy) safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

What else should I know about Amoxicillin or Co-amoxiclav/Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (High Dose Therapy)?