CLAVULIN tablets contain two active ingredients. One of these is a penicillin called amoxycillin and the other is clavulanic acid.
CLAVULIN tablets belong to the penicillin group of antibiotics.
CLAVULIN tablets are used to treat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria. These infections may affect the chest (bronchitis or pneumonia), bladder (cystitis), sinuses (sinusitis), the ears (otitis media) or the skin.
CLAVULIN tablets work by killing the bacteria that cause these infections. CLAVULIN tablets will not work against infections caused by viruses such as colds or the flu.
Your doctor may prescribe CLAVULIN tablets for another use. If you want more information ask your doctor.
There is no evidence that CLAVULIN tablets are addictive.
Follow the directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist. Their directions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
Please read the direction label carefully. If you have any concerns about how to take this medicine talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Take as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
The usual dose of CLAVULIN DUO and CLAVULIN DUO FORTE is one tablet twice a day.
Swallow the CLAVULIN tablet with a full glass of water or other liquid. CLAVULIN DUO FORTE tablets can be broken in half, but should not be chewed.
CLAVULIN tablets should be taken immediately before or with the first mouthful of food. CLAVULIN tablets work best when taken this way. It may also help to prevent stomach upsets. However, CLAVULIN tablets will still work if they are taken without food.
Space the doses as evenly as possible throughout the day. If you are taking CLAVULIN tablets twice a day, take a dose about every twelve hours.
Keep taking CLAVULIN tablets until the course is finished or for as long as your doctor tells you.
Do not stop taking CLAVULIN tablets just because you feel better as the infection can return.
Do not stop taking, or change the dose without first checking with your doctor.
If your next dose is due within six hours, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the normal time. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember and then go back to taking your tablets as directed by your doctor.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you have missed.
Taking more than the prescribed dose can increase the chance of unwanted side-effects.
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 131126) for advice, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning..
Symptoms of overdose include mild to severe nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhoea.
If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital. Be sure to show the doctor the CLAVULIN DUO or CLAVULIN DUO FORTE pack.
Take CLAVULIN tablets exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as directed. Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not working as it should and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist you are taking CLAVULIN tablets before starting any other medicines. Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work.
Tell your doctor if the symptoms of your infection become worse, or do not improve within a few days of starting CLAVULIN tablets.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to.
Be careful drinking alcohol when you are taking CLAVULIN tablets. Drinking alcohol while taking these tablets does not usually cause any problems. However, some people who drink alcohol while taking antibiotics similar to CLAVULIN tablets have experienced adverse effects.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how CLAVULIN tablets affect you. Generally, these tablets do not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, CLAVULIN tablets may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people.
If you develop severe diarrhoea either when taking CLAVULIN tablets or within several weeks after treatment, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Do not take any medication to stop the diarrhoea (eg. Lomotil or Imodium).
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you think you are experiencing any side-effects or allergic reactions due to taking CLAVULIN tablets, even if the problem is not listed below.
Like other medicines, CLAVULIN can cause some side-effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Tell your doctor about any effect which is troublesome or ongoing.
MILD EFFECTS
MORE SERIOUS EFFECTS
These may be symptoms of rare but serious side-effects and require urgent medical attention.
Remember, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these, or any other unusual events or problems occur during or after treatment with CLAVULIN DUO and CLAVULIN DUO FORTE TABLETS.
This is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side-effects not yet known.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any side-effects from your medicine which are not mentioned here.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side-effects. You may not experience any of them.
Keep your tablets in the original pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the pack they may not keep well.
Keep the pack in a cool dry place. Do not leave it in the car on a hot day. Do not store medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Heat and dampness can destroy CLAVULIN tablets.
Store all medicines out of the reach of children, such as in a locked cupboard.
If your doctor tells you to stop taking CLAVULIN tablets or if the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
CLAVULIN DUO tablets come as white to off-white oval shaped tablets containing 500mg of amoxycillin and 125mg of clavulanic acid. The tablet is debossed with 'AC' and a score line on one side and plain on the other side.
CLAVULIN DUO FORTE tablets come as white to off-white capsule shaped tablets containing 875mg of amoxycillin and 125mg of clavulanic acid. The tablet is marked with an A and a C on both sides and a breakline on one side.
CLAVULIN DUO tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycollate, silica colloidal anhydrous and microcrystalline cellulose. The coating on the tablets contains the colouring agent titanium dioxide, hypromellose 5cps and hypromellose 15 cps, macrogol 4000, macrogol 6000 and dimethicone 200.
CLAVULIN DUO FORTE tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycollate, silica colloidal anhydrous and microcrystalline cellulose. The coating on the tablets contains the colouring agent titanium dioxide, hypromellose 5 & 15 cps, and macrogol 4000 and macrogol 6000.
CLAVULIN DUO AND CLAVULIN DUO FORTE tablets do not contain sucrose, lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
CLAVULIN DUO AND CLAVULIN DUO FORTE tablets are available only with a doctor's prescription.
CLAVULIN DUO tablets come in blister packs of ten tablets.
(AUST R 142690).
CLAVULIN DUO FORTE tablets come in blister packs of ten tablets. (AUST R 70547)