Clavulin (Amoxicillin,Clavulanate Potassium)

Adults:

The usual adult dose is 1 CLAVULIN 500 mg tablet every 12 hours. For more severe infections and infections of the lower respiratory tract, your doctor may prescribe 1 CLAVULIN 875 mg tablet every 12 hours or 1 CLAVULIN 500 mg tablet every 8 hours.

Children:

For children aged 12 weeks (3 months) and older as directed by a doctor:

Infants and children less than 12 weeks (3 months):

The recommended dose of CLAVULIN is 30 mg per kg per day in divided doses every 12 hours as directed by a doctor.

The children’s dosage should not exceed that recommended for adults. Children weighing more than 38 kg should be dosed according to the adult recommendations.

You must follow the doctor's advice and use the medicine as instructed. Your doctor will decide how much medicine you or your child need each day, and how many days you should take it for.

It is better to take CLAVULIN at the same time as a meal, but CLAVULIN still works if it is given without food.

If there is anything you do not understand please ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose:

In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed dose:

If you or your child miss a dose of CLAVULIN, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, do not take the missed dose. Instead, continue with your next scheduled dose. Do not try to make up for the missed dose by taking double the dose next time.

The following are very rare side-effects that may happen in people taking CLAVULIN:

• the tongue may change colour to yellow, brown or black, and it may have a hairy appearance.
• teeth discolouration while using CLAVULIN. This is less likely to happen if teeth are cleaned thoroughly, and any discolouration can usually be removed by brushing. If the discolouration does not disappear, ask your doctor or dentist for advice.

These are common side-effects that may happen in people taking CLAVULIN:

• a yeast infection of the nails, skin, mouth, vagina, stomach, urinary tract (mucocutaneous candidiasis)
• nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick) in adults and children
• diarrhoea (loose, or watery bowel movements) in children

These are uncommon side-effects that may happen in people taking CLAVULIN:

• indigestion
• headache

If you experience symptoms such as severe diarrhea (bloody or watery) with or without fever, abdominal pain, or tenderness, you may have Clostridium difficile colitis (bowel inflammation). If this occurs, stop taking Clavulin and contact your healthcare professional immediately.

BEFORE you use CLAVULIN talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you or your child:

• are allergic to amoxicillin or beta-lactam antibiotics (such as penicillins and cephalosporins) or any of the other ingredients of CLAVULIN. If you or your child have had an allergic reaction (such as a rash) when taking an antibiotic, you should talk to your doctor before taking CLAVULIN.
• develop a skin rash while taking CLAVULIN. Stop taking CLAVULIN and immediately tell your doctor.
• have glandular fever (mononucleosis) and are prescribed CLAVULIN. Please talk to your doctor before taking CLAVULIN.
• have liver or kidney problems.
• suffer from a condition called phenylketonuria (PKU). This is because CLAVULIN contains aspartame.
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Penicillins including amoxicillin are excreted in human breast milk. Discuss with your doctor.
• are taking a contraceptive pill as CLAVULIN may reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive.

Some medicines may cause unwanted effects if they are taken at the same time as CLAVULIN. Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you or your child are taking or have recently taken any other medicines or supplements, even those that can be bought without a prescription.

Tell your doctor especially if you or your child are taking or using any of the following medicines:

• allopurinol or probenecid (for treatment of gout)
• anticoagulants (used to prevent blood clots) such as warfarin
• mycophenolate mofetil (suppressed the immune system)