DRUG OF THE DAY
amoxicillin/clavulanate
Aminopenicillin/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination
Before opening the card, recall one use, one safety check and one counseling point.
Reveal the drug learning card
Names and formulations
- Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium: immediate-release tablets, chewable tablets, and oral suspensions in the bound label
Products with the same amoxicillin amount can contain different clavulanate amounts; the immediate-release tablets, chewables, and suspensions in this label are not substituted by amoxicillin milligrams alone.
Common use
Treatment of selected susceptible bacterial respiratory, skin, and urinary infections when the combination's spectrum is appropriate.
Mechanism of action
Amoxicillin inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis; clavulanate inhibits selected beta-lactamases that would otherwise inactivate amoxicillin.
Important adverse effects and monitoring
- Avoid in patients with serious beta-lactam hypersensitivity; stop and treat promptly if anaphylaxis occurs.
- Contraindicated with a previous history of amoxicillin/clavulanate-associated cholestatic jaundice or hepatic dysfunction.
- Monitor diarrhea and hepatic symptoms; Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea and hepatic injury can occur.
Patient counseling
- Take at the start of a meal to improve tolerance and clavulanate absorption.
- Shake suspension well, refrigerate when the dispensed label directs, measure accurately, and discard on schedule.
Interaction to recognize
With: warfarin or other oral anticoagulants
Why it matters: Increased anticoagulant effect and prolonged prothrombin time have been reported.
Practical response: Monitor INR or prothrombin time as clinically indicated when therapy is added or stopped.
Check the original sources
- DailyMed — amoxicillin/clavulanate prescribing information
Sections: 1 Indications and Usage; 2 Dosage and Administration; 3 Dosage Forms and Strengths; 4 Contraindications; 5 Warnings and Precautions; 7 Drug Interactions; 12.1 Mechanism of Action; 17 Patient Counseling Information. Source checked 2026-09-13.
Selected learning points; verify current labeling for the complete prescribing information.