Clavulanic Acid

Active composition — generic information and available medicines

Uses

Clavulanic Acid is used in the treatment of bacterial infections.

How it works

Clavulanic Acid blocks the action of the enzymes produced by bacteria to inactivate the antibiotics.

Side effects

Diarrhoea, Indigestion, Rash, Itching, Vomiting

Expert advice

Take clavulanic acid containing antibiotics along with food and with plenty of fluids.
Do not start or continue the clavulanic acid containing antibiotic tablets and consult your doctor, if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to clavulanic acid, penicillins or any of the other ingredients of this drug.
Do not take the drug without consulting your doctor, if you have kidney or liver problems.
Do not take the drug without consulting your doctor, if you have any serious allergic reaction (skin rash, inflammation of blood vessels, fever, joint pain, swollen glands in neck, armpit or groin, swelling of face or mouth [angioedema], difficulty breathing, or collapse).
Do not take clavulanic acid, if you have had penicillin-associated jaundice or skin rash, kidney or liver dysfunction.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is Clavulanic Acid?: Clavulanic Acid is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It does not exert a clinically useful antibacterial effect on its own. It is used in combination with other antibiotics to increase their effect.
Q. What does clavulanic acid do when added to amoxicillin?: Amoxicillin is a semisynthetic penicillin (beta-lactam antibiotic) that is easily broken down by beta-lactamase enzyme produced by some bacteria. Clavulanic acid inactivates the beta-lactamase enzymes thereby preventing the breakdown of amoxicillin.
Q. Is amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination effective against methicillin-resistant staphylococci aureus (MRSA) infections?: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination is not effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Consult a doctor for the right choice of antibiotic for your infections.
Q. What are the side effects of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination?: Common side effects associated with the use of Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and mucocutaneous candidosis. Talk to your doctor in case you experience these or other side effects while taking amoxicillin clavulanic acid combination.
Q. Is amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination is safe in patients with a G6PD deficiency?: There is no study or research available regarding the safety of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in G6PD deficiency. Talk to your doctor regarding its use in G6PD deficient patients.
Q. Is amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination nephrotoxic?: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination can cause kidney damage, especially if taken a dose more than recommended. Inflammation of the kidney tissue (interstitial nephritis), hematuria (blood in urine) and crystalluria (crystals in urine) has been reported in some patients. Always take a dose as recommended by your doctor and share your medical history of kidney disease if any when you are prescribed this combination.
Q. Does amoxicillin/clavulanic acid contain sulfa?: No, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid does not contain any sulfa substance.
Q. Do amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination make you drowsy or tired?: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination does not make you feel drowsy or tired. However, it can make you feel dizzy. Talk to your doctor if you have these symptoms while taking this combination.
Q. Is amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination is effective against pseudomonas infections?: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination is not effective against pseudomonas infections. Consult a doctor for the right choice of antibiotic for your infections.
Q. Where to buy Clavulanic Acid?: Clavulanic Acid does not have any antibacterial activity of its own and is not available as a single salt in the market. It is always available as a combination with antibiotics like amoxicillin, cefixime, and cefuroxime. Talk to your doctor before taking any antibiotics.
Q. Why does Clavulanic Acid cause diarrhea?: Clavulanic Acid iself is not known to cause diarrhea. However, it is always given in combination with a beta-lactam antibiotic and diarrhea is a common side effect associated with the use of this combination.
Q. What are the side effects of Clavulanic Acid?: Clavulanic Acid can cause hepatitis and allergy. However, since the drug is always given in combination with a beta-lactam antibiotic, there can be many side effects of this combination. Consult your doctor if you experience any side effects while using this combination.
Q. What is the dose of Clavulanic Acid?: The dose of Clavulanic Acid depends on the age of the patient and disease for which it is given. Consult your doctor for the appropriate dose, frequency, and duration of the drug.
Q. What is the mechanism of action of Clavulanic Acid?: Clavulanic Acid is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It inactivates beta-lactamase enzyme produced by some bacteria and prevents the inactivation of the antibiotic when given along with it.
Q. What is the molecular weight of Clavulanic Acid?: The molecular weight of Clavulanic Acid is 199.16 g/mol.
Q. Can Clavulanic Acid cause allergy?: Clavulanic Acid may cause allergy but the chances of it causing an allergy is far less likely compared to the penicillins it is given along with. Consult your doctor if you have any allergic reactions while taking the drug.
Q. Can I take clavulanic acid with alcohol?: Clavulanic acid can be taken with alcohol. No interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Talk to your doctor regarding its use with alcohol.
Q. Can clavulanic acid be taken with cefuroxime?: Fixed dose combinations of cefuroxime with clavulanic acid are available in India. However, there is not enough research to prove the efficacy and safety of cefuroxime combined with clavulanic acid.
Q. Can I take clavulanic acid with penicillin?: Clavulanic acid is a beta-lactamase enzyme inhibitor which is available as a fixed-dose combination penicillin antibiotics like amoxicillin and ticarcillin. It is not available for use as a single agent. Talk to your doctor for further information on the same.
Q. Is clavulanic acid available in combination with cefixime?: Fixed dose combinations of cefixime with clavulanic acid are available in India. However, there is not enough research to prove the efficacy and safety of cefixime combined with clavulanic acid.
Q. Can I take Clavulanic Acid with food?: Food generally does not affect the absorption of Clavulanic Acid. The drug can be taken with or without food. However, there is evidence that a high-fat diet may interfere with the absorption of Clavulanic Acid.
Q. Can I take amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination with paracetamol?: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination can be taken with paracetamol (acetaminophen). No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Is clavulanic acid and sulbactam same?: Sulbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor like clavulanic acid. They do not have any action on the bacteria. Clavulanic acid is commonly combined with amoxicillin and sulbactam is commonly combined with ampicillin. They increase the antibacterial action of these antibiotics.
Q. Is clavulanic acid same as dicloxacillin?: Dicloxacillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic whereas clavulanic acid is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Dicloxacillin is not combined with clavulanic acid since it is inherently resistant to degradation by beta-lactamase enzyme and would not need any inhibitor for increasing its action.
Q. Can I take amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination with azithromycin?: The effect of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination can be decreased when given with azithromycin. Talk to your doctor before taking the two antibiotics together.
Q. Can I take amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination with alprazolam?: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid can be taken with alprazolam. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Can I take amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination with guaifenesin?: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid can be taken with guaifenesin. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Can I take amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination with lisdexamfetamine?: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid can be taken with lisdexamfetamine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.