Augmentin for Armageddon

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on knowledge and understanding you might wish to acquire in advance of a disaster in case no higher care is available.  As long as our society is functioning, you should leave anything more substantial than applying a Band-Aid to the professionals.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care. 

Augmentin, a popular broad-spectrum antibiotic which combines amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, is effective against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria.  It's not mentioned as much in preparedness circles because there is no equivalent counterpart amongst the fish antibiotics that are a common work-around for Americans who can't get antibiotics without a prescription.  However, it can be obtained through overseas pharmacies.  Because it is considered safe for children and pregnant women, it's one to keep in the stockpile.

Augmentin is available in a variety of strengths to suit pediatric and adult needs.  The two sets of numbers associated with the prescription indicate the strength of the tablets.  The first number is always the amoxicillin component; the second is the clavulanic acid component.  The ratio varies from one tablet to the next, and this is why Augmentin tablets of one strength cannot be combined to substitute for another strength.  Doctors often prescribe Augmentin to treat the following conditions:

• upper respiratory infections
• ear infections, dose-dependent on the weight of child; in adults, 875 mg every 12 hours, for 10 days, or 250-500 mg, 3 times per day, for 5-10 days
• sinus infections, 875 mg, every 12 hours, or 500 mg every 8 hours, for 5-7 days
• pneumonia, 875 mg every 12 hours, or 500 mg every 8 hours, for 7-10 days  
• tonsillitis
•  skin infections
• impetigo, 500-875 mg every 12 hours, or 250-500 mg every 8 hours, for 7 days
• insect bites and stings
• domestic animal bites and scratches, 875 mg every 12 hours, or 500 mg every 8 hours, for 3-5 days
• cellulitis, 250-500 mg, 3 times per day, at least 5 days, and for at least 2-3 days after redness disappears
• burns, same as for cellulitis
• intestinal infections
• diverticulitis, 500 mg, 3 times per day, until 3-4 days after symptoms resolve
• gallbladder, 500 mg, 3 times per day
• urogenital
• chronic prostatitis, 500 mg, 3 times per day, 10 days
• pyelonephritis, 875 mg every 12 hours, or 500 mg every 8 hours, 10-14 days[1]
• cystitis, 500 mg, 3 times per day, until 2 days after symptoms have passed
 

Augmentin is also effective against the following bacteria:

• Haemophilus influenzae, 500/125 mg, every 12 hours, or 250/125 mg every 8 hours, for 10 days for less severe infections; 875/125 mg every 12 hours, or 500/125 mg every 8 hours, for 7-10 days.
• Enterobacteria (Shigella, Salmonella, E. coli) 

Augmentin is a second-line choice in treating chronic prostatitis.

The usual dose of Augmentin in adults is one 500 mg tablet every 12 hours, or one 250 mg tablet every 8 hours.  With more serious infections, including respiratory tract infections, the dosage is 875 mg every 12 hours, or 500 mg every 8 hours.

The pediatric dosage of Augmentin in infants under three months of age is 30 mg/kg/day in divided doses, based on the amoxicillin component.  For infants and children over three months of age, the dosage is 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses for ear, sinus, and lower respiratory infections.  For less serious infections, the dosage is 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses. 


Cautions:  Augmentin should be taken with food.  Do not use alcohol while taking Augmentin.  It may increase the risk of side effects or make the side effects worse.  Two 250 mg Augmentin tablets should not be substituted for one 500 mg tablet, and vice-versa, because the amount of clavulanic acid is the same in both tablets.  Augmentin may increase the risk of yeast infections, headaches, and blood clotting problems. Side effects of using Augmentin include diarrhea, vomiting, and allergic reactions. 

Interactions:  Augmentin may increase bleeding in individuals using anti-coagulants.  It may increase the likelihood of a skin rash in persons taking allopurinol.  It may also decrease the efficacy of oral contraceptives. 

Contraindications:  Augmentin is not for use in those allergic to penicillin.

Links to related posts:
Amoxicillin

Cipro
Doxycycline
Tetracycline
Antibiotic Chart to Guide Acquisition  

[1]Survival and Austere Medicine, 3rd Edition, 142

For further reading:
https://www.drugs.com/dosage/augmentin.html

 12 may 2020