Effectiveness of Amoxicillin & Clavulanate combination against Bacterial Infections

Therapeutic indications

Amoxicillin, alone or in combination with clavulanic acid, still accounts among the most widely used antibacterial agents. Although they are often considered 'twin drugs', they are different both in terms of antibacterial activities and of safety profile.

Amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium is indicated in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms in the conditions listed below in adults and children:

• Acute bacterial sinusitis

• Acute otitis media

• Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

• Respiratory tract infections

• Community acquired pneumonia

• Cystitis

• Pyelonephritis

• Uncomplicated UTI

• Skin and soft tissue infections in particular cellulitis, animal bites, spreading cellulitis.

• Bone and joint infections.

• Dental abscess

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Why Amoxicillin & Clavulanate combination therapy effective?

Clavulanic acid is a β-lactam, structurally related to the penicillins, which possesses the ability to inactivate a wide range of β-lactamase enzymes commonly found in microorganisms resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins. In particular, it has good activity against the clinically important plasmid-mediated β-lactamases frequently responsible for transferred drug resistance.

The formulation of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid protects amoxicillin from degradation by β-lactamase enzymes and effectively extends the antibiotic spectrum of amoxicillin to include many bacteria normally resistant to amoxicillin and other β-lactam antibiotics.

Thus, amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium possesses the properties of a broad-spectrum antibiotic and a β-lactamase inhibitor.

What microorganisms Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid are most effective?

Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid has been shown to be active against most strains of the following microorganisms.

Gram-Positive Aerobes: Staphylococcus aureus (β-lactamase and non–β-lactamase–producing)

Gram-Negative Aerobes: Enterobacter species (Although most strains of Enterobacter species are resistant in vitro, clinical efficacy has been demonstrated with amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium in urinary tract infections caused by these organisms.)

Escherichia coli (β-lactamase and non–β-lactamase–producing) Haemophilus influenzae (β-lactamase and non–β-lactamase–producing) Klebsiella species (All known strains are β-lactamase–producing.) Moraxella catarrhalis (β-lactamase and non–β-lactamase–producing)