Posts Tagged ‘infectiousdisease’

What is the most important information I should know about amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?

Friday, September 19th, 2008

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to penicillin or to a cephalosporin, you may also be allergic to amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Tell your doctor about any past drug allergies.

If you switch from one tablet form to another (regular, chewable, or extended-release tablet), take only the new tablet form and strength prescribed for you. The strength of clavulanate potassium is not the same among the different tablet forms, even though the amount of amoxicillin may be the same as in the tablet you were using before. This medicine may not be as effective or could be harmful if you do not use the exact tablet form your doctor has prescribed.

What other drugs will affect amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

allopurinol (Zyloprim);probenecid (Benemid); oranother antibiotic (for the same or for a different infection).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can make birth control pills less effective. Use a second non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

How should I take amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

If you switch from one tablet form to another (regular, chewable, or extended-release tablet), take only the new tablet form and strength prescribed for you. The strength of clavulanate potassium is not the same among the different tablet forms, even though the amount of amoxicillin may be the same as in the tablet you were using before. This medicine may not be as effective or could be harmful if you do not use the exact tablet form your doctor has prescribed.Take each dose with a full glass of water.Take the medicine at the start of a meal to reduce stomach upset.

The Augmentin tablet should be swallowed whole.

The Augmentin Chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing. Do not swallow a chewable tablet whole.

Do not crush or chew the Augmentin XR (extended-release) tablet. Swallow the pill whole, or break the pill in half and take both halves one at a time. If you have trouble swallowing a whole or half pill, talk with your doctor about using another form of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.Shake the liquid form of this medicine well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium should be taken at evenly spaced intervals as prescribed. It is important to take amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium regularly to get the most benefit.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.

Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.Store the liquid form of this medicine in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused liquid after 10 days.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?

Friday, September 19th, 2008

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to penicillin or to a cephalosporin, you may also be allergic to amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Tell your doctor about any past drug allergies.

Before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, tell your doctor if you have:

liver disease (or a history of hepatitis or jaundice); kidney disease; ormononucleosis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Some forms of this medication contain as much as 7 mg of phenylalanine per dose. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or otherwise need to restrict your intake of phenylalanine.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can pass into breast milk and may cause a yeast infection, diarrhea, or allergic reaction in a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

What should I avoid while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What is amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called penicillins. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium fights bacteria in the body.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium is used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria, such as sinusitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and infections of the skin.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have diarrhea that is severe or lasts longer than 3 days, or if you have nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Keep taking the medication and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

mild diarrhea, gas, stomach pain;nausea or vomiting;headache;skin rash or itching; white patches in your mouth or throat; orvaginal yeast infection (itching or discharge).

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What are the possible side effects of diphtheria and tetanus vaccines?

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you have had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with tetanus or diphtheria is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

extreme drowsiness, fainting;severe headache or vomiting;confusion, seizure (black-out or convulsions); orhigh fever.

Less serious side effects include:

redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or a hard lump where the shot was given;mild fever;joint pain, body aches;mild drowsiness; ormild vomiting.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What should I avoid before or after getting diphtheria and tetanus vaccines?

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving this vaccine unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

What is the most important information I should know about doxycycline?

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby, including permanent discoloration of the teeth later in life. Doxycycline can make birth control pills less effective. Use a second method of birth control while you are taking doxycycline to keep from getting pregnant. Doxycycline passes into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.Do not use this medication if you are allergic to doxycycline, or to similar medicines such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).

Before taking doxycycline, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease. You may not be able to take doxycycline, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.