Amoxiclav suspension for children: instructions for use

Children are frequently prescribed amoxiclav suspension to treat a range of bacterial infections. It contains two active ingredients that work better together to fight infections: clavulanic acid and amoxicillin. This drug is frequently used to treat infections of the ears, respiratory system, and urinary tract.

Concerns regarding the safe administration of this medication to their children are common among parents. To make sure it functions correctly and doesn’t injure anyone unnecessarily, it’s critical to understand the proper dosage, how to prepare the suspension, and what side effects to be aware of.

We’ll cover how to use Amoxiclav suspension for kids in this guide, along with useful hints and crucial safety information. Whether you’re a novice user or seeking a refresher, the following information will assist in streamlining the process.

Release form

Amoxiclav suspension is available for purchase in 35–140 ml dark glass bottles that hold 8.75–35 grams of white or white-yellowish powder. Such a powder dissolves to produce a homogenous liquid after adding water in the amount specified in the instructions (different dosages require different volumes of liquid). It is white in color, but it can also have a hint of yellow. It tastes sweet and fruity. The bottle comes with a marked dosing syringe that lets you measure up to 5 milliliters of suspension.

Composition

Amoxiclav works by combining the effects of two active ingredients. The first of them is amoxicillin, which is given as a trihydrate in this medication. Its dosage can be 125 mg, 250 mg, or 400 mg in 5 milliliters of the suspension that has already been made. The potassium salt of clavulanic acid makes up the second ingredient. The medication has a dosage of 31.25 mg, 62.5 mg, or 57 mg per 5 milliliters.

The medicine’s auxiliary ingredients include silicon dioxide, sodium citrate, sodium carmellose, citric acid, and a few other substances that allow the powder to dissolve and store for an extended period of time. Sodium saccharinate, lemon, strawberry, and wild cherry flavors are added to the product to make it taste sweet and smell nice.

Before beginning treatment, it is important to find out the complete suspension composition from the paper instructions if the child is allergic to any chemical additives.

Amoxiclav suspension is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for children that addresses a range of bacterial infections, including skin, respiratory, and ear infections. Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, two essential components, are combined and work in concert to combat resistant bacteria. The weight of the child and the severity of the infection determine the dosage, so it’s critical to carefully follow the doctor’s instructions. To minimize stomach upset, always shake the bottle before using it and give it with food. Even if the child feels better, you should still finish the course to make sure the infection is completely cured.

Principle of action

Amoxicillin, the antibacterial component of Amoxiclav, is a member of the penicillin class of antibiotics. When clavulanic acid is added, its already broad range of antimicrobial activity is further enhanced. When combined with beta-lactamases, this acid forms a combination. Bacteria produce these enzymes to lessen the effectiveness of penicillin medications.

Amoxiclav contains a lactamase inhibitor, which allows amoxicillin to work without interference against a wider range of microorganisms. These include different strains of streptococci and staphylococci, as well as bacteria like Escherichia, Yersinia, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria, Bacteroides, Peptococci, Clostridia, Proteus, and Enterococci.

Indications

Amoxiclav has a strong antibacterial effect, making it useful against a wide range of infectious processes. The medication is recommended:

• for otitis media, tonsillitis, bacterial sinusitis, retropharyngeal abscess, purulent tonsillitis and other pathologies of the ENT organs caused by a microbial infection;

• with bacterial inflammation of large bronchi, bronchioles or lung tissue, which is manifested by coughing, thick sputum, fever and other symptoms;
• in case of microbial infection of the urinary system;

• in case of infection of soft tissues and skin, including inflammation due to secondary infection, for example, in pemphigus;
• in case of inflammation under the influence of bacteria of bones, ligaments and other connective tissues;
• in case of cholangitis or cholecystitis;
• in case of gynecological infections.
• in case of bacterial infection of teeth and tissues around them;

From what age is it prescribed?

Children can use amoxiclav starting at birth. Such an antibiotic is prescribed even to newborn babies if they have an infectious process; the dosage is 125 mg or 250 mg of amoxicillin in 5 milliliters. However, a suspension that contains 400 mg of amoxicillin and 457 mg of other active ingredients in 5 ml should not be given to infants younger than three months of age.

Contraindications

Amoxiclav should not be given to kids who have:

• hypersensitivity to amoxicillin or any other ingredient of the powder;
• allergy to penicillin antibiotics or cephalosporins;
• infectious mononucleosis;
• liver diseases;
• lymphocytic leukemia.

When using Amoxiclav, patients with kidney disease or a history of pseudomembranous colitis from antibiotic use need closer medical supervision.

Side effects

Certain pediatric patients experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting fits, loose stools, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite in response to the suspension. The medication may also cause jaundice or have an impact on how well the liver functions, which will show up in a biochemical blood test (enzyme activity may increase). Amoxiclav use can occasionally result in the development of candidiasis.

Amoxiclav therapy can also occasionally result in urticaria, Quincke’s edema, redness, and other allergic reactions in addition to skin itching. Rarely, the medication can exacerbate hematopoiesis, which results in a drop in the child’s blood test results for platelets and leukocytes. On rare occasions, the suspension may result in kidney damage or adverse central nervous system symptoms (convulsions, insomnia, headaches).

It is advised to see a doctor and choose a different antibiotic if any unfavorable symptoms develop.

Instructions for use

The drug suspension is made from the powder form just prior to the initiation of therapy. Shake the powder well in order to properly dilute the medication, and then fill the bottle with water to the line on the bottle or the amount specified in the annotation. You must add liquid in multiple stages: To ensure that all of the powder dissolves, add a small amount of water at first, shake well, and then add the remaining water.

It is advised to take Amoxiclav with meals to lower the possibility of side effects. A plastic syringe that is sold with a powder bottle is used to draw up the medication. An antibiotic’s recommended dosage should be established by a physician. In this instance, the daily dosage is determined solely by considering the amount of amoxicillin present in the suspension. This drug is administered at a rate of 30 mg per kilogram of body weight for infants under three months of age and 20 mg per kilogram for those over that age.

If the disease is moderately or mildly severe, the prescribed daily doses are given. The baby’s weight in kilograms is multiplied by 40 mg of amoxicillin if the infection is severe. When treating respiratory tract infections, the same higher dosage is advised. The drug’s calculated dosage—125 and 250 mg of amoxicillin—is split into three doses, each of which is administered to the child eight hours apart. The daily dosage for children under three months old should be split into two doses and administered every twelve hours.

For instance, a 2-month-old infant weighing 5000 g was prescribed Amoxiclav for a moderate infection. 150 mg is the amount of amoxicillin that should be given to this patient each day when 5 is multiplied by 30. With a dosage of 125 mg + 31.25 mg, 6 ml of suspension contains this much antibiotic; the infant should take 3 ml of the medication twice a day.

A child weighing 15 kg who receives a prescription for the medication for pneumonia needs 600 mg of amoxicillin every day (15×40). Based on computations, the patient in question receives 200 mg of antibiotics every dose, distributed as 250 mg + 62.5 mg in 4 ml of suspension. The table in the paper instructions for the powder also shows approximate dosages based on the baby’s age, body weight, and the severity of the infection.

The doses are a little different for a suspension with 400 mg of antibiotic in 5 ml, but they are also shown in the table. The daily dosage of said medication is also determined using amoxicillin as a base, multiplying the patient’s kilogram weight by 25–45 mg, contingent upon the intensity of the infectious process. The medication is administered twice a day, which means that the estimated daily dosage is split into two doses with roughly a 12-hour gap between them.

The length of amoxiclav treatment varies depending on the ailment and can be either 2 weeks or 5 days. To avoid bacterial resistance and to treat the infection, you should consult your doctor about the appropriate duration of time to administer the suspension to a child.

It is imperative that you adhere to the doctor’s prescribed dosage, even in cases where the infant’s health has improved.

Overdose

A child who receives more suspension than is appropriate for his body weight will almost certainly develop a digestive tract disorder, such as an episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Additionally, symptoms such as vertigo, jitteriness, or insomnia may also arise from an overdose of Amoxiclav. A drug overdose in certain children can cause convulsions.

Given that the overdose of the suspension was discovered less than four hours ago, it is advised to cleanse the baby’s stomach and give them a sorbent to reduce the amount of drug that is absorbed in their intestines. Following that, the child should be watched over and, if required, treated with symptomatic therapy. Hemodialysis is used in severe cases because it effectively flushes the patient’s body of clavulanic acid and amoxicillin.

Interaction with other drugs

The use of many other medications affects amoxiclav treatment. For instance, giving the suspension at the same time as antacids or laxatives will reduce its absorption; however, taking ascorbic acid at the same time will speed up the drug’s constituents’ bloodstream penetration. The compatibility of any medications the child may already be taking with Amoxiclav should therefore be discussed with the doctor or made clear in the annotation that comes with the bottle.

Terms of sale

A specialist examination is required prior to beginning treatment, as parents will need to provide a prescription from a doctor in order to purchase Amoxiclav at a pharmacy. The amount of active ingredients in the bottle determines its price. For instance, a bottle containing 25 g of powder costs roughly 120–130 rubles. Diluting the powder yields a medication with a concentration of 125 mg of amoxicillin in 5 ml. A medication containing 250 mg or 5 ml of antibiotics costs between 250 and 270 rubles per bottle.

Storage conditions

When kept unopened, Amoxiclav has a two-year shelf life. It is advised to store the powder bottle in a dry location with a maximum temperature of +25 degrees until it expires. But the shelf life drops to 7 days after the bottle is filled with water. In this instance, the medication needs to be refrigerated and sealed tightly.

Even if the entire suspension has not been used, the drug needs to be thrown away if more than a week has gone since the bottle was opened.

Reviews

Amoxiclav is very effective at treating infectious diseases in children, according to the majority of reviews. The drug in suspension is commended for its broad antimicrobial spectrum, low cost, liquid form, ease of dosing, and uncommon occurrence of side effects. It can also be used on the tiniest patients.

Negative reviews do note that some children still react to the medication with a variety of ailments. The suspension’s drawbacks also include the need to refrigerate it, its short shelf life following dilution with water, and the inclusion of flavorings and other chemical additives in the mixture.

Section	Description
What is Amoxiclav?	Amoxiclav is an antibiotic in suspension form, used to treat infections in children.
How to use	Shake the bottle well before giving. Follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
When to take	Best taken at the start of a meal to reduce stomach discomfort.
Possible side effects	Diarrhea, nausea, or skin rash may occur. Contact a doctor if severe.
Storage	Keep in the fridge, and do not freeze. Use within 7 days after opening.

Amoxiclav suspension is a common antibiotic used to treat a variety of pediatric infections. Because it contains both clavulanic acid and amoxicillin, it effectively combats bacteria that might otherwise be resistant to conventional treatments.

It is essential to adhere to your doctor’s instructions and the recommended dosage in order to guarantee the medication is taken as directed and stays safe. Even if your child feels better sooner, make sure to measure the suspension carefully and finish the entire course of treatment.

Get in touch with your healthcare practitioner right away if any adverse effects or allergic reactions appear. For added safety, make sure the medication is stored correctly and that any unused portion is disposed of after the prescribed time.

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