Co-Amoxiclav

= Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid.

Amoxicillin:

A penicillin

Clavulanic acid:

• A ß-lactamase inhibitor which irreversibly inactivates the enzyme.

• ‘Protects’ the penicillin from the destructive effects of ß-lactamase

Co-amoxiclav:

• The combination is bactericidal.

• Usual adult dose: 375mg – 625mg orally or 1.2g iv three times a day

• Dose adjustment necessary if renal impairment

• May cause hepatic dysfunction therefore monitor LFTs.

• Moderate risk of Clostridium difficile antibiotic-associated diarrhoea if prescribed for elderly in-patients

Main indications:

• Bites: animal or human

• IV: Aspiration pneumonia – if unable to take oral medication

• 1st-line for Hospital Acquired Pneumonia

• Surgical prophylaxis

Active against most strains of:

• Staphylococcus aureus (not MRSA)

• Haemolytic streptococci

• Streptococcus pneumoniae

• Haemophilus influenzae

• Escherichia coli

• Anaerobes
• Enterococcus faecalis
• Moraxella
• Klebsiella

Not active against most strains of:

• MRSA
• Clostridium difficile

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Enterococcus faecium (amoxicillin –resistant)

Page last edited: 09/02/2009

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

Read our copyright and disclaimer statement