During pregnancy, every woman tries to avoid situations in which you need to take medicine. It is extremely undesirable to take antibacterial drugs. However, in some situations, you can not do without them. The drug “Augmentin” will help cure many infections and not harm the expectant mother and fetus. During pregnancy, it is recommended to be taken only according to strict indications. What is this medication and how should it be used during the period of bearing a child?
General description of the drug
The basis of antibacterial agents from the penicillin group are waste products of certain microorganisms. These drugs have a wide range of effects and can be used in the treatment of a variety of ailments. Penicillins are often used in the treatment of pregnant women. In the process of numerous studies, it was proved that this category of medicines does not adversely affect the process of bearing a baby and the course of pregnancy.
One of the safest antibiotics is Augmentin. During pregnancy, it is prescribed in severe cases when other methods of treatment are simply not effective. Such ailments include, for example, tonsillitis, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, salmonellosis. “Augmentin” will help to overcome the pathology quickly and at the same time will not bring harm to the developing fetus. However, it should be remembered that only a doctor can prescribe such a strong drug, choosing the optimal treatment regimen and daily dosage for the future mother.
Structure
The combined semisynthetic preparation has two active substances that provide the therapeutic effect of the drug. These are amoxicillin and clavunic acid. When treated with amoxicillin alone, pathogenic bacteria quickly develop resistance. Eliminates this drawback and expands the spectrum of action of the drug clavunic acid - a beta-lactamase inhibitor. The substance has a fairly powerful antimicrobial effect.
The drug is available in several forms. Tablets may contain different amounts of active substances: 250, 500 and 875 mg. The powder for the preparation of the suspension is also produced in three dosages - 125, 200 and 400 mg in 5 ml of a liquid preparation. Also available for injection in a dosage of 500 and 100 mg.
How does it work?
The main purpose of the drug is to suppress the vital activity of pathogenic bacteria, which provoke the development of severe ailments of an infectious and inflammatory nature. “Augmentin” during pregnancy is able to cope with both the disease itself and its complications. It should be noted that at this time a woman becomes especially susceptible to various diseases due to a decrease in the protective functions of the body.
The immune system for all 9 months is forced to work only half-force so that the fetus can develop normally and not be torn away. This, in turn, makes the female body vulnerable to attack by pathogenic microorganisms that occur at every step.
Is there a danger?
Many expectant mothers who have been prescribed antibiotic therapy are worried about this treatment. Indeed, there is a practice of using penicillin, but can Augmentin help and can it? This drug is not a hindrance to pregnancy if it is prescribed by an experienced doctor.
Many experts consider a semi-synthetic antibiotic to be the most harmless for pregnant women. The drug passed all the necessary studies, during which it was found that the drug has no toxic, teratogenic effect . This means that the expectant mother can take Augmentin during pregnancy (2 trimester) without fear - the drug will not cause deviations and malformations of the fetus.
At the same time, the manufacturer warns that the active substances of the drug are able to penetrate the placental barrier and in certain situations have a negative effect. For example, with premature rupture of the membranes, Augmentin can be prescribed to prevent infection of the baby, which increases the risk of inflammation of the walls of the small and large intestines in a newborn. Therefore, the antibiotic should be used only after consulting a doctor.
Indications for appointment
An antibiotic is prescribed to a future mother only if the benefit of the treatment significantly exceeds the possible risks to the fetus. Without fail, the drug is indicated for such serious inflammatory processes as pneumonia, pleurisy, purulent otitis media. To cope with such pathologies without strong medications is simply impossible.
Indications for the appointment of "Augmentin" during the period of bearing the baby are also the following ailments:
- infectious processes in the ENT organs (sinusitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis);
- pneumonia, exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, lung abscess, bronchopneumonia);
- infectious damage to the skin;
- inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system (pyelonephritis, cystitis, adnexitis);
- intestinal infection (dysentery, salmonellosis);
- inflammatory processes in the gallbladder.
Contraindications
In the first trimester, the Augmentin antibiotic is strictly prohibited. At this time, the laying of all the internal organs and systems of the baby takes place, and therefore one should refrain from treatment with strong drugs. Prescribe the medicine only after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The manufacturer warns that “Augmentin” is not suitable for treatment during pregnancy if the patient has a history of intolerance to penicillins, their derivatives and cephalosporins. Impaired functioning of the liver and kidneys, jaundice are also contraindications.
Dosage
The daily dose is selected only by the attending physician. The specialist also prescribes the antibiotic release form, in which he is optimally suitable for the expectant mother. Most often, the drug is recommended to be taken in the form of a suspension with a dosage of 400 mg per 5 ml. On a day, Augmentin (during pregnancy) can be taken no more than 3 times.
The dosage of the tablets depends on the severity of the condition. Usually, with a mild to moderate course of the disease, an antibiotic is recommended to be taken in a dosage of 250 mg every 8 hours (three times a day). The duration of treatment is at least 5 days.
In a solution for injection ("Augmentin" 1000) during pregnancy, medicine is used extremely rarely. It is usually prescribed for the prevention of infectious infections after surgery, in the treatment of inflammatory processes of the reproductive organs in women.
Side effects
Antibiotics are one of the most powerful medications that often cause side effects. According to reviews, “Augmentin” can provoke the development of an allergic reaction in the form of skin rash, itching, urticaria. The drug also affects the state of the nervous system. Patients note that sometimes after taking the medicine, a headache and dizziness appear, sleep is disturbed, and irritability increases. This condition is dangerous for women in position.
To reduce the manifestation of a negative reaction from the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), experts recommend taking an antibiotic before meals. If side effects occur, the patient should inform the attending physician who will carry out the dosage adjustment.
"Augmentin" during pregnancy: reviews
It is extremely undesirable to take antibacterial drugs during the period of bearing the baby. But if it comes to the health of the future mother, the doctor may decide on the appointment of potent medicines. Most often, experts recommend taking Augmentin during pregnancy. 3 trimester is the safest period for treatment with an antibacterial drug. Also, the drug is approved for use in the second trimester.
The medicine has earned many positive recommendations from expectant mothers. Suspension and tablets, subject to dosage, are well tolerated by the body. You can start treatment with the drug only after consulting a doctor.