Clinical efficacy and tolerance of augmentin in soft tissue InfectionTwenty-seven patients with infections caused by amoxycillin-resistant bacteria were treated with oral Augmentin, a formulation of amoxycillin with the ?-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid. The infections treated were gynaecological sepsis (11), intra-abdominal sepsis (10). cellulitis (4) and bronchopneumonia (2). Bacteroides fragilis, either alone or in combination with other pathogens, was isolated from ten patients, Staphylococcus aureus being identified as a primary pathogen in four patients (and presumed to be the pathogen in a further four). Three patients were bacteraemic. The overall cure rate was 85% (23 of 27 patients), the remaining patients being assessed as improved. There were no treatment failures. The cure rate in infections involving Bact. fragilis was 80%, and that in staphylococcal infection 87·5%. Augmentin was well tolerated, two patients developing a penicillin rash (7·5%) and two mild nausea (7·5%). Augmentin is a safe and effective alternative to conventional Antibiotics in those patients with invasive soft tissue infection in whom oral therapy is appropriate.

Augmentin XR (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Appears Highly Effective for Acute Bacterial RhinosinusitisPHILADELPHIA, PA -- August 24, 2004 -- A specially engineered formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanate, GlaxoSmithKline's Augmentin XR™ (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium) Extended Release Tablets, is effective in treating acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS), according to a review published in the June issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine (vol. 24, pages 531-551). This is despite significant prevalence of resistance to commonly used antimicrobials in bacteria that cause ABRS. The evolution of amoxicillin/clavulanate in the treatment of adults with ABRS and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in response to antimicrobial resistance patterns was reviewed by Michael R. Jacobs, MD, PhD, Thomas M. File, Jr., MD, and Michael S. Benninger, MD.The review documented the evolution of drug therapies in the treatment of ABRS and CAP and highlighted that although the common bacteria causing ABRS and CAP have become resistant to many current Antibiotics, Augmentin XR proves to be safe and effective in treating adults with ABRS and CAP, including patients infected with some types of antibiotic-resistant organisms. Annually, the United States healthcare system sees ABRS and CAP as two of the most common respiratory tract infections."In today's environment of resistant pathogens and empiric practices, it is particularly important to provide patients with effective treatments to cure the infection, while limiting use of our most powerful agents to preserve their activity," said Michael R. Jacobs, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, and an author of the review. "Augmentin XR is an important development because it has sustained efficacy with a safety and tolerability profile similar to older formulations of Augmentin®. It is also a recommended option in evidence-based third party guidelines for ABRS treatment for patients with risk factors for infection with resistant pathogens, such as recent use of antibiotics."The pharmacokinetically enhanced formulation of Co-amoxiclav/clavulanate provides an immediate release of amoxicillin/clavulanate and an extended release of amoxicillin, which proves effective in the treatment of ABRS. The review found the distinctive combination prolongs the exposure of bacteria to the antibiotic and promotes the coverage of resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, specifically S. pneumoniae with penicillin MIC = 2 µg/mL.Approximately 20 million cases of ABRS are reported each year in the United States, and treatment of the infections costs the United States economy nearly $3.5 billion annually. Due to increased use of antimicrobial agents, resistance to antibiotics is on the rise. In particular, many older antibiotics have become ineffective in treating ABRS, because antibiotic resistance has developed or increased, especially among Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, the two bacteria that cause up to 78 percent of cases of ABRS in adults."Augmentin XR was well tolerated and efficacious in clinical trials in which more than 4,000 patients receivedAugmentin XR," said Betsy Abraham-Van Parijs, MD, PhD, Senior Director of Clinical Development at GlaxoSmithKline. "In light of today's current resistance patterns, Augmentin XR is proven to be a highly effective treatment option physicians can count on."About the ReviewThe review, titled "Evolution of amoxicillin/clavulanate in the treatment of adults with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and community-acquired pneumonia in response to antimicrobial-resistance patterns," was published in the June issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine. The review examined the timeline of ?-lactam discovery (penicillin), the development of antimicrobial resistance, and the rationale for a new enhanced formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin XR) in the treatment of ABRS and CAP. The continued efficacy of amoxicillin/clavulanate despite the growing bacterial resistance to ?-lactam was reviewed.About Augmentin XRAugmentin XR, which became available in 2002, is an extended release formulation that is indicated for patients 16 years or older with acute bacterial sinusitis or community-acquired pneumonia due to confirmed or suspected ?-lactamase-producing pathogens, such as H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis, and S. pneumoniae with reduced susceptibility to penicillin (penicillin MIC = 2 µg/mL). Augmentin XR is not indicated for the treatment of infections due to S. pneumoniae with penicillin MIC =4 µg/mL. Augmentin XR is contraindicated in patients with a history of allergic reactions to any penicillin or cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium, in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min), and in hemodialysis patients. Please go to www.gsk.com or call 1-888-825-5249 to see more complete prescribing information for Augmentin XR for contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse reactions, dosage and administration.

drug necessary information. How does Augmentin work?Antibiotics contains two different medications: amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (also known as clavulanic acid or simply clavulanate). It belongs to a group of medications known as aminopenicillins, which is part of a larger group of medications known as beta-lactam antibiotics (named after the ring-like "lactam" structure of these antibiotics). Amoxicillin works by stopping bacteria from making cell walls, which eventually causes the bacteria to die. However, many bacteria have developed resistance to amoxicillin and similar antibiotics by producing enzymes called beta-lactamases. Beta-lactamases break the beta-lactam ring, making amoxicillin and similar antibiotics ineffective.The other component of Augmentin (clavulanate) is known as a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Clavulanate binds to bacterial beta-lactamase and stops the enzymes from breaking down the amoxicillin molecule. Clavulanate itself has no significant antibacterial activity; it merely helps to prevent amoxicillin from being broken down by bacteria that would otherwise be resistant to it. Essentially, clavulanate "augments" the activity of amoxicillin (hence the name Augmentin).When and how to take Augmentin? General considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:" Co-amoxiclav comes in tablets, chewable tablets, and a suspension (liquid) form. It is taken every 8 or 12 hours, depending on the particular product and dosage. " It's a good idea to take it with a meal or a snack, as this helps prevent stomach upset. " Augmentin suspension should be shaken thoroughly before each dose, as the medication tends to settle to the bottom of the bottle. Also, the suspension should be stored in the refrigerator and discarded after 10 days of being mixed. You may have extra suspension left over after finishing the prescribed course of Augmentin; this should be discarded immediately. " It is very important that you finish your course of Augmentin, even if you start to feel better. Stopping it too soon could lead to the development of medication-resistant bacteria. " For the medicine to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it. Dosing information The dose of Augmentin that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:" The type of infection and bacteria " Your age and weight " The particular Augmentin product " Other medical conditions you may have " Other medications you may be currently taking. As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.