Augmentin DDS Syrup for Kids: Dosage Demystified for Parents

Augmentin for Children: A Parent’s Guide to Dosing and Usage

Posted March 12, 2024 in Asthma, Health 839 0 0

Augmentin syrup is an antibiotic medication that helps treat throat, chest, and lung bacterial infections. It can destroy bacteria that have become resistant to other therapies. Augmentin contains the active ingredient potassium clavulanate/amoxicillin, which belongs to the group of medicines known as penicillins. These antibiotics work by killing the bacteria that is responsible for causing an infection.

Therapeutic indications

Augmentin dry syrup is used for short-term treatment of pediatric patients with bacterial infections at the following sites when caused by amoxicillin-clavulanate-susceptible organisms:

Upper respiratory tract infections: acute otitis media, tonsillo- pharyngitis and sinusitis
Lower respiratory tract infections: lobar and bronchopneumonia

Augmentin oral suspension is recommended for use in children aged three months and older. Hepatically impaired patients should be dosed with caution, and hepatic function should be monitored at regular intervals. There is no experience in pediatric patients weighing more than 40 kg. Also, there is no clinical data on this medication in children under three months of age. Generally, the dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your health care provider. The dose is usually 20 mg per kg of body weight daily every eight hours or 25 per kg daily every twelve hours. The dose may be increased or decreased based on the severity of bacterial infection.

Benefits of Augmentin suspension

For treating resistance tuberculosis (TB)

In multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, the causative bacteria produce an enzyme known as beta-lactamase that breaks down the antibiotics and makes them ineffective. This causes the bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic medication used for treatment. Augmentin dds syrup comprises two active ingredients: amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. While clavulanic acid prevents the enzyme from rendering Amoxycillin ineffective, amoxicillin works effectively toward killing the tuberculosis bacteria.

For treating bacterial infections

Augmentin Duo syrup combines two medicines to destroy the bacteria causing infections. Amoxycillin stops the growth of bacteria. Clavulanic acid reduces resistance and improves the activity of Amoxycillin against bacteria.

The combination drug usually makes you feel better within a few days; even if you feel better, keep taking your dose for the prescribed duration to ensure all bacteria are destroyed and do not become resistant.

Method of administration

Augmentin syrup dosage should be expressed in terms of the child’s age and either in mg/kg/day or ml of suspension per dose. Taking it at the start of a meal minimizes gastrointestinal intolerance. The absorption of this medication is optimized when used at the start of a meal. Treatment should not be extended beyond two weeks.

Warnings and precautions

Things to be taken care of when taking Augmentin antibiotic syrup:

It should not be used in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to beta-lactams, e.g., cephalosporins and penicillin. It should not be given to patients with a previous history of amoxicillin-clavulanate-associated jaundice/hepatic dysfunction.
Discontinue this oral suspension if a reaction occurs.
Monitor closely in case of severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Discontinue if the rash progresses.
Drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome (DIES) has been reported with the use of amoxicillin. If this happens, discontinue amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium for oral solution, and discuss appropriate therapy with your health care provider.
Immediately stop taking this medicine if signs of hepatitis occur. Monitor liver function tests in people with liver insufficiency.
Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea ranges from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis may occur. Evaluate patients if diarrhea happens.

It is important to share your child’s entire medical history with the health care professional, including any previous episode of allergy, blood disorder, airway obstruction, gastrointestinal problem, liver impairment, kidney malfunction, lung anomaly, and heart problems. This information will assist a pediatrician in making dose alterations and in planning your child’s overall treatment.

Drug interactions!

Coadministration with probenecid is not advised.
Concomitant use of augmentin for oral suspension with oral anticoagulants may increase the risk of rash. Augmentin oral suspension may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
The dosage should be modified per the patient’s weight in children three months to twelve years old.
The safety and effectiveness of this oral solution have not been established in pediatric patients weighing more than 40 kg.

Other FAQs on Augmentin syrup

When to take augmentin?

Shake well before each dose, then measure the dose accurately. Close the bottle tightly after measuring the dose. Amoxicillin clavulanate syrup should be taken after eating a meal. This makes it less likely to cause stomach upset or discomfort.

How long does it take to use augmentin?

Keep taking this medication for the full time of treatment, even if you start to feel better after a few days. If you do not complete the course prescribed by your healthcare professional, the infection may not clear completely, or your symptoms may return. Augmentin DDS syrup uses are not usually for longer than 14 days without another check-up by the health care provider.

Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have adverse effects. If you experience any side effects, most are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may require medical attention.

Less serious side effects include: