Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension

Your child’s medicine at a glance

Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension is an antibiotic medicine that helps treat bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, chest, lungs, teeth, skin, and urinary tract. It is capable of killing bacteria that have become resistant to other therapies and thus also helps treat tuberculosis that is resistant to other treatments.

You can give Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension to your child with or without food. It is better to give it with food as that helps increase absorption and decrease the risk of stomach upset. The doctor may prescribe giving it two to three times a day. Medicine dose depends on the severity of the infection, its type, and your child’s body weight and age. So, stick to the dose, time, and way prescribed. If your child vomits the medicine within 30 minutes of intake, let the child calm down and repeat the dose. Do not double dose if it's the time for the next dose.

Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension may cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and allergy. These side effects should diminish on their own. But, in case they persist or start bothering your child, you must not delay speaking to your child’s doctor.

Share your child’s entire medical history with the doctor, including any previous episode of allergy, heart problem, a blood disorder, birth defects, airway obstruction, lung anomaly, gastrointestinal problem, skin disorder, liver impairment, and kidney malfunction. This information will assist the doctor in making dose alterations and in planning your child’s overall treatment.

Uses of Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension in children

Treatment of Resistance Tuberculosis (TB)Treatment of Bacterial infections

Benefits of Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension for your child

In Treatment of Resistance Tuberculosis (TB)

In multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis, the causative bacteria produce an enzyme called beta-lactamase. This enzyme breaks down the antibiotics and makes them ineffective. As a result, the bacteria become resistant to the antibiotic being used for treatment. Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension comprises two active ingredients, amoxycillin and clavulanic acid. While clavulanic acid stops the enzyme from rendering amoxycillin ineffective, amoxycillin works towards killing the tuberculosis-causing bacteria. This makes the combination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid an effective treatment for resistant tuberculosis.

In Treatment of Bacterial infections

Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension contains two different medicines, Amoxycillin and Clavulanic Acid, that work together to kill the bacteria that cause infections. Amoxycillin works by stopping the growth of bacteria. Clavulanic Acid reduces resistance and enhances the activity of Amoxycillin against bacteria.

This combination medicine can be used to treat many different bacterial infections such as ear, sinus, throat, lung, urinary tract, skin, teeth, joints, and bones. It usually makes you feel better within a few days, but you should continue taking it as prescribed even when you feel better to make sure that all bacteria are killed and do not become resistant.show moreshow less

Side effects of Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension in children

Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension does not pose serious side effects and is well-tolerated by children. In case the side effects do occur, they’re likely to subside once the body adapts to the medicine. Consult your child’s doctor if these side effects persist or bother your child. The most common side effects include-

Common side effects of Augmentin

NauseaVomitingAbdominal painDiarrheaAllergySkin rash

How can I give Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension to my child?

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Measure it with a measuring cup and take it by mouth. Shake well before use. Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension is to be taken with food.

How Augmentin Oral Suspension works

Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension is an antibiotic. It has two active agents, amoxycillin and clavulanic acid. Amoxycillin works by preventing the formation of the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) essential for the survival of the bacteria. Whereas, clavulanic acid serves a special purpose of inhibiting an enzyme (beta-lactamase) that is produced by resistant bacteria. This makes the combination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid an effective line of treatment for many types of infections.

Safety advice

KidneyCAUTIONAugmentin Duo Oral Suspension should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
The dose also needs to be reduced in neonates and infants due to incompletely developed renal function.LiverCAUTIONAugmentin Duo Oral Suspension should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Regular monitoring of liver function tests is recommended while you are taking this medicine

What if I forget to give Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension to my child?

You can give the missed dose as soon as you remember unless advised otherwise by the doctor. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not give a double dose to catch up and follow the prescribed dosing schedule.

Quick tips

Your child must complete the entire course of antibiotics. Stopping too soon may cause the bacteria to multiply again, become resistant, or cause another infection. Your child may have a bitter taste in the mouth after the intake of Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension. Eating citrus fruit or sipping plenty of water or fruit juice may help. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water in case diarrhea develops as a side effect. Never give Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension until and unless prescribed by the doctor. You must also never share your child’s medicine with anyone else even if they show similar symptoms. Do not give Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension to treat common cold and flu-like symptoms caused by viruses. Never save medicine for future illnesses. It cannot be said whether the same medicine will work on future infections. Check ‘expiry’ before giving Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension to your child. Immediately discard all the expired medicines. Stop Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension immediately if your child develops an itchy rash, facial swelling, or breathing difficulty. Report to the doctor without any delay. 

Fact Box

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FAQs

Q. Can other medicines be given at the same time as Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension?

Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension can sometimes interact with other medicines or substances. Tell your doctor about any other medicines your child is taking before starting Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension. Also, check with your child’s doctor before giving any medicine to your child.

Q. Can I get my child vaccinated while on treatment with Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension?

Antibiotics usually do not interfere with the ingredients in vaccines or cause a bad reaction in a child who has just been vaccinated. However, children taking antibiotics should not get vaccinated until they recover from the illness. As soon as your child feels better, the vaccine can be given.

Q. Which lab tests may my child undergo while taking Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension on a long-term basis?

With prolonged therapy, the doctor may monitor kidney and liver function tests periodically to keep a check on your child’s condition.

Q. Can I give a higher than the recommended dose of Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension to my child?

No, giving a higher than the recommended dose of this medicine can increase the risks of side effects. If your child experiences increased severity of symptoms, please consult your doctor for re-evaluation.

Q. Can I stop giving Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension to my child when the symptoms are relieved?

No, do not stop giving this medicine to your child unless the full course of the treatment is complete, even if you feel better. The symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cured. Hence, continue giving the medicine for the due course as it may still be showing beneficial effects.

Q. Can the use of Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension cause diarrhea?

Yes, Augmentin Duo Oral Suspension may cause diarrhea. It is an antibiotic that kills harmful bacteria. In addition to that, the medicine may also affect the helpful bacteria in your child’s stomach and cause diarrhea. In case of diarrhea, encourage your child to drink plenty of water or other fluids. Talk to your doctor if diarrhea persists and you notice any signs of dehydration, like less frequency of urination with dark-colored and strong-smelling urine. Do not give any other medicine to your child without consulting a doctor.

Q. Do all viral common colds result in secondary bacterial infection?

Most of the time, bacterial infections do not follow viral infections. In fact, giving antibiotics in viral infection can increase your child’s risk of developing side effects. So, use antibiotics only after consulting with your child’s doctor.

Q. The mucus coming out of my child’s nose is yellow-green. Is it a sign of a bacterial infection?

Yellow or green mucus in the nose does not mean that antibiotics are needed. During a common cold, it is normal for mucus to thicken up and change from clear to yellow or green. Symptoms often last for 7-10 days.

Q. Is there any sign which shows that my child needs immediate medical attention?

You must call your child’s doctor right away if your child experiences serious allergic reactions (breathing problems, skin rashes), gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea), and liver damage (weakness, paleness, vomiting). Though rare, these side effects are serious and need an expert’s attention.Show moreShow less