Augmentin is an improved form of amoxicillin, produced by GlaxoSmithKline. As opposed to the traditional formula, it contains clavulanic acid. Its role and function in increasing the efficiency of the drug are obvious. This formula, patented in the ninth decade of the last century, is intended to fight against drug-resistant bacteria which produce ß-lactamase.
When taking Augmentin, patients shouldn’t be concerned anymore that the drug influences the bacteria to the point where they learn how to effectively fight amoxicillin. In other words, bacterial resistance is reduced to a significant degree.
However, most of side effects of antibiotics are still present (or possible) when taking Augmentin and caution should be exercised to keep them to the minimum. There is a general belief that increasing the dosage of Augmentin has good effects overall, once the process of resistance has been minimized. However, this is false, because higher dosages imply higher risks of side effects, which can ultimately lead to ceasing the treatment.
Amoxicillin / clavulanic acid is believed to render good results in veterinary treatments, where drug-resistant bacteria are even more intrusive than in humans. On the other side, Augmentin is strictly produced for human consumption and treatment. Other types of amoxicillin / clavulanic acid are used in animals (e.g. for Klebsiella).
Apart from these, Augmentin is used in a wide area of infections, from ear and urinary tract infections, to pneumonia or infestation with salmonella. There are specific cases (depending on peculiar diseases and the general health condition of the patient) when Augmentin is not prescribed similarly to amoxicillin. However, in most situations, the analogy of the two drugs is valid.
Augmentin is well-absorbed in the system, which makes it one of the most popular antibiotics of its class. But, irrespective of use and duration of treatment, one should be careful when taking this drug to reduce as much as possible the side effects he or she may encounter.