Amoxicillin+sulbactam
About Amoxicillin+sulbactam
Amoxicillin+sulbactam belongs to the group of medications called antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. Bacterial infections are caused by the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Symptoms of bacterial infection vary depending on the organ affected by bacteria.
Amoxicillin+sulbactam contains Amoxicillin and Sulbactam. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic. It works by preventing the formation of the bacterial protective covering, which is required for bacterial survival. Sulbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that reduces resistance and improves Amoxicillin's antibacterial activity.
You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side-effects of Amoxicillin+sulbactam are diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor immediately.
Amoxicillin+sulbactam should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment. Do not discontinue or abruptly stop the medication, as it may lead to antibiotic resistance, a condition in which bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Amoxicillin+sulbactam should be used cautiously in children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and elderly people. It is not known whether Amoxicillin+sulbactam interacts with alcohol or if it affects your ability to drive. So, please discuss with your doctor the possible risks and benefits before consuming alcohol with Amoxicillin+sulbactam.
Uses of Amoxicillin+sulbactam
Medicinal Benefits
Amoxicillin+sulbactam contains Amoxicillin and Sulbactam. Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic and treats the infection by killing the bacteria. Sulbactam is a beta-lactamase (an enzyme produced by bacteria that can destroy antibiotic) inhibitor and prevents the destruction of Amoxicillin from the bacteria. Amoxicillin+sulbactam has broad-spectrum activity and is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It is used to treat bacterial infections such as skin infections, gynaecological infections and intra-abdominal infections.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Amoxicillin+sulbactam
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- skin rashes and urticaria
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Pseudomembranous colitis
Drug Warnings
It is not recommended to take Amoxicillin+sulbactam if you are allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics, or this medicine's contents. Amoxicillin+sulbactam should not be taken by people with infectious mononucleosis (viral infection with sore throat and fever) and colitis (intestine inflammation). Amoxicillin+sulbactam should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment. Do not discontinue or abruptly stop the medication as it may lead to antibiotic resistance, a condition in which bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Amoxicillin+sulbactam should be used with caution in children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and elderly people. It is not known whether Amoxicillin+sulbactam interacts with alcohol or if it affects your ability to drive. So, please discuss with your doctor the possible risks and benefits before taking this medicine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Amoxicillin+sulbactam may interact with an aminoglycoside (e.g. gentamicin), blood thinner (e.g. warfarin), and anti-rheumatic (e.g. methotrexate).
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcohol may increase the side effects of Amoxicillin+sulbactam. Hence, it is advised to limit the intake of alcohol while using Amoxicillin+sulbactam.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Amoxicillin+sulbactam may interact with disease conditions such as colitis (inflammation in the intestine's lining), mononucleosis (viral infection with a sore throat and fever), and severe kidney impairment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Amoxicillin+sulbactam. However, as a precautionary measure, it is advisable not to take or limit alcohol.
Pregnancy
cautionAmoxicillin+sulbactam should be used in pregnant women only if clinically needed when the benefits outweigh the risks. Please inform the doctor if you are pregnant are planning for pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Amoxicillin+sulbactam.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is no substantial research yet on using Amoxicillin+sulbactam in breastfeeding/nursing mothers. Please inform the doctor if you are a nursing mother. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Amoxicillin+sulbactam.
Driving
cautionIt is not known whether Amoxicillin+sulbactam alters the ability to drive. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience symptoms affecting your ability to concentrate and react. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist longer.
Liver
cautionAmoxicillin+sulbactam should be used cautiously in patients with liver diseases as it may affect liver function. Please inform the doctor if you have liver impairment. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionAmoxicillin+sulbactam should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Please inform the doctor if you have kidney impairment; your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Amoxicillin+sulbactam.
Children
safe if prescribedYour doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing this medicine for your child.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Probiotics should be taken after taking an entire course of Amoxicillin+sulbactam to restore some healthy bacteria in the intestines that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by your gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Fibre-rich foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread and brown rice should be included in your diet.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages with Amoxicillin+sulbactam as it can make you dehydrated and may affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid Amoxicillin+sulbactam in fighting off infections.
Special Advise
- On prolonged therapy, regular monitoring of renal, hepatic, and hematologic functions periodically is advised. Monitor also for signs of anaphylaxis during the first dose.
- Even if you feel better after taking Amoxicillin+sulbactam, do not stop taking it until your doctor says so. Stopping Amoxicillin+sulbactam midway might cause the symptoms to reappear due to antibiotic resistance.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply and infect the body. It can target any organ of the body and multiply very quickly. Many give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses (like sore throat and ear infections) to severe brain infections (like meningitis and encephalitis). When infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms, like fevers, chills and fatigue. Few harmful bacteria that commonly cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and E. coli. Anyone can get a bacterial infection, but people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicines like steroids are more prone to infections.
FAQs
Amoxicillin+sulbactam belongs to the group of medications called antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.
It contains Amoxicillin and Sulbactam. Amoxicillin reduces the infection by inhibiting bacterial growth. It disrupts the cell wall formation (outer layer), which is essential for bacteria's survival. Sulbactam inhibits the action of beta-lactamase, an enzyme produced by bacteria to destroy antibiotics.
Amoxicillin+sulbactam is safe if used in the dose and duration recommended by your doctor. Take it precisely as directed, and do not skip any dose. Follow your doctor's guidelines carefully and inform your doctor if any of the side effects disturb you.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule if it is time for the next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for your missed dose.
Do not stop using Amoxicillin+sulbactam; even feel better. It should be strictly used as advised by your doctor to avoid the recurrence of symptoms and worsening of the disease.
Amoxicillin+sulbactam may cause diarrhoea, so notify your doctor immediately if you develop watery and bloody stools with or without stomach cramps or fever.