Antimicrobials
Amoxicillin-Clavulanate

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate

Medium
N/A

General Information

Oral:

  • Prophylaxis and treatment of human and animal bite wounds
  • Polymicrobial infections involving the respiratory tract or abdomen
  • Skin and soft tissue infections

Intravenous: Use in place of piperacillin/tazobactam in the empiric treatment of the following community-acquired, polymicrobial infections:

  • Skin and soft tissue infections (e.g. animal bite or polymicrobial diabetic foot infections)
  • Bone and joint infections including osteomyelitis
  • Mild to moderate intra-abdominal infections
  • Polymicrobial respiratory tract infections (e.g. aspiration pneumonia in individuals with risk factors for anaerobes)
  • Severe odontogenic infections

Amoxicillin/clavulanate should not be used if:

  • More broad spectrum coverage is required (e.g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ESBL)
  • More narrow spectrum antibiotic appropriate (e.g. monomicrobial infection)
  • More affordable option is appropriate (e.g. ceftriaxone + metronidazole)

For prolonged therapy, monitor liver enzymes and function

Diarrhea (common).

Allergy/rash, cytopenias.

Hepatotoxicity due to clavulinate is usually mild, liver failure is rare. EBV related rash (not allergy).

Antimicrobial class: Aminopenicillin + Beta-lactamase inhibitor

Average serum half life: Adults: ~1 hour. Amoxicillin pharmacokinetics are not affected by clavulanic acid

Route of Elimination: Urine (amoxicillin 50% to 70% unchanged drug; clavulanic acid 25% to 40% unchanged drug)