For the future mother, it is very important to maintain the health of the baby and eliminate possible complications during pregnancy. Among the risks in the first place are infectious diseases, the treatment of which is not complete without the use of drugs.
It is good when during pregnancy a woman manages to avoid taking medications. But unfortunately, this is extremely rare. Few people can resist the attack of microorganisms that cause the disease. Moreover, against the background of pregnancy, the immune system weakens.
Any infection during pregnancy must be treated carefully and in order to eliminate the risk of infection of the fetus, which threatens the development of serious complications, until the baby has an incurable sore.
Sometimes in the fight against inflammation you have to connect the "heavy artillery" in the form of antibiotics. Often, expectant mothers worry about the safety of the child up to the point that they refuse to accept the above funds. This is not an entirely reasonable approach, since ignoring the antibiotic can make the situation even more difficult.
No self-respecting doctor will prescribe a pregnant drug that can harm her baby. There are drugs whose clinical and laboratory tests indicate their relative safety. The list of such drugs includes Amoxiclav. During pregnancy, doctors often prescribe it.
Antibiotic action
Amoxiclav is a modern antibiotic of the penicillin group. It is well absorbed in the digestive tract, penetrates the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. It is excreted by the kidneys. The antibiotic does not penetrate the central nervous system, but easily passes through the placental barrier.
The active ingredient of the drug is amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid, so it is much more effective than pure amoxicillin. Pathogens in the process of their life emit a special enzyme that destroys the medicine. Because of what, amoxicillin is useless for streptococci, staphylococci, echinococci, pathogens of brucellosis and salmonellosis, etc. Clavulanic acid, which is part of the drug, makes amoxicillin more resistant to the enzyme, which contributes to a more successful fight against bacteria that provoke the disease.
Can I use during pregnancy?
Manufacturers of the antibiotic mention in the instructions that it does not cause a violation of embryonic development, and therefore is allowed during the "interesting" situation. But despite the fact that Amoxiclav is safe during the "interesting" situation, it should be prescribed only after a thorough analysis of the clinical picture and a comparison of the possible risk with the intended benefits of the medication.
The main condition for the safety of Amoxiclav during pregnancy is a reception strictly prescribed by a doctor and at recommended dosages.
The use of an antibiotic in the first trimester
In America, studies of this drug have been conducted more than once in which pregnant women participated at different gestational periods. As a result, very positive data were obtained that proved the high safety of the drug in comparison with analogues.
However, in a sample with women at an early gestational age, a number of complications were revealed in newborns caused by taking an antibiotic. Cases of rupture of the membranes in pregnant women and necrotizing enterocolitis in infants were observed. Therefore, during pregnancy, treatment with Amoxiclav in the first trimester is extremely undesirable.
The use of Amoxiclav in the 2nd trimester
This period is most favorable for antibiotic therapy. The fetus is almost formed, and the components of the drug are not so dangerous for it. However, the risk of complications due to the use of Amoxiclav during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester still remains.
Laboratory tests were carried out in Israel, in which women 3-4 months pregnant and undergoing treatment for ENT infections took part. The patients were divided into two groups: the first took Amoxiclav, the second Amoxicillin. As a result, 98% of women who took Amoxiclav gave birth to healthy children. For the remaining 2%, various violations were identified. In the second group, much more childhood pathologies were recorded.
Amoxiclav in the 3rd trimester
Many obstetricians believe that taking this antibiotic in the later stages of gestation is safe for the child. However, when taking Amoxiclav in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, women often have digestion problems, the development of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines, and allergic reactions become more pronounced.
Important! The components that make up the antibiotic penetrate the placenta in small doses, so it is advisable to take Amoxiclav with low doses of amoxicillin, for example, 375 ml or 625 ml.
"Amoxiclav" - instructions for pregnancy
Before you start taking Amoxiclav during the gestation period, you should study the instructions up and down. Especially pay attention to the point of compatibility with other medicines.
- You can not use the drug along with another antibiotic or antimicrobial agent. This tandem will reduce the effectiveness of Amoxiclav.
- The combined use of an antibiotic and allopurinol can cause a severe allergic reaction.
- Amoxiclav enhances the toxic effects of methotrexate.
- An antibiotic is contraindicated if a pregnant woman is already being treated with disulfiram or sulfasalazine.
Compliance with the rules of drug compatibility will reduce the risk of side effects during pregnancy.
Dosage during pregnancy
The dosage of the drug in women in position is calculated individually, depending on the severity of the disease and the degree of damage, as well as the individual characteristics of the body. It is strictly forbidden to change the dosage prescribed by a doctor.
Amoxiclav is available in three forms:
- Tablets containing amoxicillin - 250, 500 and 875 mg with an additional unchanged 125 mg of clavulanic acid.
- Powder for oral suspension.
- Powder for the preparation of intravenous injection.
Reference! The drug in liquid form is suitable for the treatment of children. For adults, including pregnant women, doctors most often prescribe pills.
"Amoxiclav" during pregnancy should be taken twice a day, one tablet of 625 mg or three times (every 8 hours), but a tablet of 375 mg. The drug is recommended to be dissolved in 100 ml of pure water and taken with food. The course of treatment is 5-7 days.
Important! When prescribing Amoxiclav during pregnancy, existing pathologies and diagnoses should be considered. In case of impaired renal function, it is necessary to change the dosage (in the direction of decreasing) and increase the time interval between taking the tablets.
Indications for antibiotic therapy
"Amoxiclav" during pregnancy is prescribed for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms sensitive to its components:
- acute and chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, otitis media, middle ear, laryngitis;
- lesions of the urogenital system;
- gynecological infections (exceptions - mycoplasmosis and chlamydia);
- urinary tract infections;
- prevention and treatment of complications in the postoperative period;
- infections of bone tissue and joints, including osteomyelitis;
- odontogenic inflammatory processes, including periodontitis.
Side effects
In most cases, Amoxiclav is well tolerated during pregnancy, rarely when side effects such as:
- nausea, bouts of vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- convulsive syndrome;
- anaphylactic shock;
- Quincke's edema;
- skin rashes along with itching and redness;
- colitis.
Many symptoms occur when taking excessive doses of amoxicillin and are reversible. In order to reduce discomfort from the gastrointestinal tract, the drug should be taken with meals. If any allergic reactions occur, you must stop taking Amoxiclav and call an ambulance.
Contraindications
Amoxiclav has very few contraindications during pregnancy, which is why it has become the drug that is recommended to women for treating infections during the “interesting” situation. An antibiotic is prohibited for use in the presence of the following pathologies:
- hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug;
- intolerance to antibiotics of the penicillin series;
- severe violations of the kidneys and (or) liver;
- lymphocytic leukemia;
- mononucleosis.
Caution should be taken with severe forms of allergies and bronchial asthma. In this case, the patient's response to the penicillin series is checked before therapy. In the presence of intolerance to one or more components, an alternative method of treatment is selected.
Important! Ignoring the hypersensitivity test threatens the occurrence of anaphylactic shock with a fatal outcome.
"Amoxiclav" during lactation is prescribed in very rare cases. The components of the composition easily penetrate into breast milk and can cause a number of undesirable symptoms in a baby, for example, bloating, diarrhea, candidiasis. Therefore, at the time of treatment, it is worth stopping breastfeeding or replace Amoxiclav with another drug similar in effect.
Analogs
In addition to Amoxiclav, there are other antimicrobials that are approved for use during pregnancy. However, it is not worth making an independent decision to replace one medicine with another.
The following medicines are analogous to Amoxiclav in composition and action:
- “Augmentin”;
- “Clavamitin”;
- "Flemoxin Solutab."
Reviews
Women in position are afraid to take antibiotics in the face of their fears and doubts. In this connection they are often interested: is it possible to use Amoxiclav during pregnancy? The experience of mothers who have already faced this choice will help clarify the situation. Many of those treated with Amoxiclav during pregnancy noted weakness, dizziness, nausea, and loss of appetite. But this was only a temporary phenomenon, and soon health was restored, and the indicators of analyzes returned to normal.
In about 5% of cases, after using Amoxiclav in early pregnancy, allergic reactions and symptoms of hypersensitivity to the drug were observed. In such situations, the drug was replaced with another antimicrobial agent.
It is important to remember that each organism is individual and in its own way responds to a medication, therefore, first of all, you need to listen to the opinions of specialists and the state of your body.
Conclusion
Although “Amoxiclav” is possible during pregnancy due to the fact that it is considered a relatively safe drug, it is still not a drug that should be consulted during the first ailments. The decision on his appointment is made in case of emergency, when there is a risk of infection of the fetus or a threat to the health of the mother.