💊 Amoxicillin and clavulanate (Amoxicillin And Clavulanate Potassium)
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium is an oral combination of a penicillin-class antibacterial and a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It is used to treat certain bacterial infections in adults and children and is available by prescription only. It should be used only for infections proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.
In Arabic: أموكسيسيلين وكلافولانات البوتاسيوم✅ What it is used for
- Lower respiratory tract infections caused by beta-lactamase–producing isolates of Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis
- Acute bacterial otitis media
- Sinusitis
- Skin and skin structure infections
- Urinary tract infections
🧪 Active ingredient
Amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial. Clavulanate potassium is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that inactivates some beta-lactamase enzymes produced by bacteria.
🌿 Benefits
- Treats beta-lactamase–producing bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, ear, sinuses, skin and urinary tract
- Available in several forms (tablets, suspension, chewable tablets) suitable for adults and children
📝 How to use
- Taken by mouth; the dose and duration are set by your doctor or pharmacist based on the type and severity of infection, age and weight.
- May be taken with or without meals, but taking it at the start of a meal reduces stomach upset and improves absorption of clavulanate.
- If swallowing tablets is difficult, your doctor may prescribe the oral suspension instead.
- Do not substitute two 250 mg/125 mg tablets for one 500 mg/125 mg tablet, and do not substitute the 250 mg/125 mg tablet for the 250 mg/62.5 mg chewable tablet.
- Do not change the dose or stop the medicine on your own without consulting your doctor.
💊 Dosage forms
- Tablets: 250 mg/125 mg, 500 mg/125 mg, 875 mg/125 mg
- Powder for oral suspension: 125 mg/31.25 mg, 200 mg/28.5 mg, 250 mg/62.5 mg, 400 mg/57 mg per 5 mL
- Chewable tablets: 125 mg/31.25 mg, 200 mg/28.5 mg and others
⚠️ Common side effects
- Diarrhea/loose stools (about 9%)
- Nausea (about 3%)
- Skin rashes and urticaria (about 3%)
- Vomiting (about 1%)
- Vaginitis (about 1%)
- Abdominal discomfort, flatulence and headache (less than 1%)
🚨 Serious — seek medical help
- Serious, sometimes fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions
- Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, DRESS, AGEP)
- Drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome (DIES)
- Hepatic dysfunction and cholestatic jaundice
- Clostridioides difficile–associated diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis)
- Overgrowth/superinfection with fungal or bacterial pathogens
⛔ Do not use if
- History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to this drug or other beta-lactams (penicillins, cephalosporins)
- History of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with this drug
❗ Warnings & precautions
- Tell your doctor about any previous allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins or other allergens before starting.
- Stop the drug and seek medical help if allergic signs occur or a skin rash progresses.
- Discontinue if signs or symptoms of hepatitis occur; liver function should be monitored in patients with hepatic impairment.
- Patients who develop diarrhea should be evaluated for C. difficile–associated diarrhea.
- Avoid in patients with mononucleosis, as skin rash develops.
- Superinfection with fungal or bacterial pathogens may occur during therapy.
- Dose adjustment is recommended in severe renal impairment (GFR less than 30 mL/min).
- High urine amoxicillin concentrations may cause false-positive urine glucose results with non-enzymatic tests.
🔄 Drug interactions
- Probenecid: co-administration is not recommended, as it increases and prolongs blood amoxicillin concentrations.
- Oral anticoagulants: prothrombin time may be prolonged (increased INR); appropriate monitoring and anticoagulant dose adjustment may be needed.
- Allopurinol: increases the incidence of rash when taken together.
- Combined oral contraceptives: efficacy may be reduced.
🤰 Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category B: animal reproduction studies revealed no evidence of fetal harm, but there are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use during pregnancy only if clearly needed, after consulting your doctor.
🍼 Breastfeeding
Amoxicillin is excreted in human milk, and use by nursing mothers may lead to sensitization of infants. Use caution and consult your doctor.
🧒 Children
Safety and effectiveness have been established in pediatric patients for the oral suspension and chewable tablets. Because renal function is incompletely developed, dosing is modified in infants under 12 weeks. The doctor determines the dose by age and weight.
👴 Older adults
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity in some older individuals cannot be ruled out. As the drug is substantially excreted by the kidney, dose selection requires care and renal function may be monitored.
🌡️ Storage
Store tablets and dry powder at or below 25°C (77°F). Store reconstituted suspension under refrigeration and discard unused suspension after 10 days. Keep out of the reach of children.
⏰ Missed dose
The provided FDA label text does not include information on missed doses. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.
🆘 Overdose
In case of overdose, discontinue the medication and treat symptomatically with supportive measures, maintaining adequate fluid intake and diuresis. Interstitial nephritis, crystalluria and renal failure have been reported after overdosage. Seek emergency care or contact a poison control center immediately.
💰 Price & brands in your area
Local prices are currently available for Palestine; more countries are coming. Ask your pharmacist for local price and alternatives.
📍 Find the nearest pharmacy
Your location is used only in your browser to show nearby pharmacies — we don't store it.
Open in Google Maps👨⚕️ For healthcare professionals
Mechanism of action
Combination antibacterial: amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial; clavulanate (a beta-lactam produced by Streptomyces clavuligerus, structurally related to penicillins) inactivates some beta-lactamases by blocking their active sites.
Labeled dosing
Per the label (based on the amoxicillin component): adults and pediatric patients >40 kg: 500 or 875 mg every 12 hours, or 250 or 500 mg every 8 hours. Severe and respiratory tract infections: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours; less severe infections: 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours. Pediatric patients ≥12 weeks: 25–45 mg/kg/day every 12 hours or 20–40 mg/kg/day every 8 hours, up to the adult dose. Neonates/infants <12 weeks: 30 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours (125 mg/31.25 mg per 5 mL suspension recommended). The final dose is determined by the prescriber.
- Not to be used when susceptibility tests show amoxicillin susceptibility (no beta-lactamase production).
- Use only for infections proven or strongly suspected to be bacterial to reduce resistance.
- Adjust dose when GFR is less than 30 mL/min.
- Monitor INR when co-prescribed with oral anticoagulants; dose adjustment may be needed.
- May be removed from circulation by hemodialysis.
🎓 Key points for students
- Combination of amoxicillin (a penicillin) plus clavulanate (a beta-lactamase inhibitor); ratio varies by strength (e.g., 2:1 in some studies).
- Tablets are taken at the start of a meal to enhance clavulanate absorption and reduce GI intolerance.
- Most frequent adverse reactions: diarrhea (9%), nausea (3%), rash/urticaria (3%).
- Contraindications: serious beta-lactam hypersensitivity and history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction with this drug.
- Key interactions: probenecid, oral anticoagulants, allopurinol, oral contraceptives.
- Pregnancy Category B.
EME runs your whole clinic: appointments with WhatsApp reminders, patient files, finance & inventory, a patient portal and a members-price medical store — with your data isolated and protected.
Try EME free How we protect your data❓ FAQ
What is amoxicillin and clavulanate used for?
It treats lower respiratory tract infections, acute otitis media, sinusitis, skin and skin structure infections and urinary tract infections caused by beta-lactamase–producing bacteria, as prescribed by a doctor.
Should it be taken with food?
It may be taken with or without meals, but taking it at the start of a meal is preferred to reduce stomach upset and improve clavulanate absorption.
What are the most common side effects?
Diarrhea, nausea, skin rash and hives, vomiting and vaginitis. Contact your doctor if symptoms are severe.
Can I take it if I am allergic to penicillin?
It is contraindicated with a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins or other beta-lactams. Tell your doctor about any prior allergy before starting.
Does it affect birth control pills?
It may reduce the effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives, so ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Can it be used for viral infections like the flu?
No. It is an antibacterial and should be used only for infections proven or strongly suspected to be bacterial.
⚕️ For education only — not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without advice. Source: official FDA drug label via openFDA (2026-03), simplified. Updated: 2026-11-10.