Children's diseases are always a big problem for parents. It is necessary to prevent the further development of a painful condition in time, call a pediatrician, start treatment and be prepared for a long recovery period and possible complications. If an ARVI is detected in a child’s doctor, then treatment with Amoxiclav will be the most suitable solution to this problem.
Description of the drug
Often for the treatment of children, pediatricians offer a modern combination drug that has an antibacterial effect and contains clavulanic acid and amoxicillin. Indications for the use of these components are similar: infections of the respiratory tract and respiratory system, urinary tract and abdominal cavity.
The Amoxiclav instruction for children describes a drug, unique in its antimicrobial activity, which is used in medical practice for the treatment of infectious diseases in children of any age, starting from the age of three months.
The drug is widely used in pediatrics due to the wide spectrum of action and the almost complete absence of side effects or complications, provided that it is correctly used and dosage.
Release form, price
The medicine is available in several types:
- The powder that is used to prepare the suspension. Packing in bottles of 100 ml. Intended for oral administration.
- Amoxiclav tablets: 125 mg of clavulanic acid, 250 or 500 mg of amoxicillin. The package contains 15 or 20 tablets;
- A white or yellowish powder used to prepare drops that are taken orally;
- Powder used for intravenous administration .
The main advantage of the drug is its low cost. Of course, parents will not save on the health of their children, but a cheaper medicine will always be in demand. Amoksiklav, whose price is relatively low, can be purchased by people of any income. So, the cost of powder for a suspension of the lowest concentration, that is, for children, is a little more than 100 rubles. With an increase in the content of the active substance, the price increases proportionally.
pharmachologic effect
The drug is a combination of semisynthetic penicillin, which has a wide spectrum of antibacterial action (amoxicillin) and an irreversible penicillinase inhibitor (clavulanic acid in the form of potassium salt), which forms a stable inactivated complex for combating microorganisms.
Amoxiclav 500/125, 250/125 is active against strains sensitive to amoxicillin.
Both components in combination do not affect each other, but due to their simultaneous action, the drug successfully copes with the disease in cases where other penicillin-type antibiotics do not help.
Pharmacokinetics
The components of the drug have good absorbability, which begins after 45 minutes. The maximum concentration of a substance in the blood is observed an hour after administration. The components of the drug are well distributed over the tissues and dissolve in the body fluids of the child, but differ in low binding to plasma proteins.
Amoxicillin is partially metabolized and excreted by the kidneys. Clavulanic acid undergoes a strong metabolism and is expelled by glomerular filtration. The half-life is 24 hours.
Indications for use
"Amoxiclav" (powder) is prescribed for the treatment of diseases that are caused by microorganisms that are sensitive to the components of the drug.
The grounds for use are infections:
- Respiratory tract: pleurisy, bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Respiratory: otitis media (acute, chronic), pharyngitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis.
- Genitourinary system: cystitis, urethritis.
The medicine can be prescribed to children only if they are not allergic to the penicillin series of antibiotics.
In severe cases of the disease, the drug becomes a good helper in the fight against infection when administered intravenously. Microflora resistant to antibiotics in a child’s body with reduced immunity is well eliminated due to the simultaneous exposure of the components of the drug to it.
Contraindications
Instructions for use "Amoxiclav" for children, doctors' reviews highlight a number of conditions under which it is impossible to use the medicine:
- hypersensitivity of the child to one or both components of the drug;
- individual intolerance or strong susceptibility to penicillins;
- renal and liver failure in a child;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Mode of application
To reduce side effects after taking Amoxiclav for children (the opinions of doctors and parents are unanimous here), it is better to drink it before meals. It is better to pre-dissolve the tablets in water or grind them for better swallowing by their child.
The suspension is prepared before use. The vial with the powder is thoroughly shaken and water (85 ml) is added to it to the indicated mark. The liquid is added in two doses, after each you need to vigorously shake the contents to completely dissolve. The finished solution can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than a week.
Calculation of the required dose
In the packaging of the medicine there is a measuring spoon - 5 ml. If the doctor prescribed Amoxiclav, for children the dosage is selected depending on the weight of the child (for children under 12 years old) and then the calculation for the content of amoxicillin is carried out. The rules for taking the drug are described in detail in the instructions, but it is better to consult a pediatrician before starting treatment for the child.
The main calculation of Amoxiclav is as follows:
- age from 3 months to 1 year (for rhinitis, bronchitis, pneumonia) - half a teaspoon of the solution, frequency of administration - 3 times a day;
- from 1 year to 7 years - a teaspoon of suspension, take 3 times during the day;
- from 7 to 14 years - taking 2 teaspoons of the solution 3 times a day;
- older than 14 years - you can take medicine in the form of tablets. Take 1 tablet 375 mg - three times a day.
Calculation of the dosage of the drug when administered intravenously is calculated in the same way as when taken orally.
The first symptoms of improvement in the condition of the child appear on the third day from the start of treatment. The course must be completed completely to prevent the development of bacteria immunity to the drug.
The duration of treatment is selected by the pediatrician depending on the condition of the child. On average, it ranges from 1 to 2 weeks of taking the drug Amoxiclav. For children, the dosage can sometimes be changed, because often a positively affected single increased dose of the drug. For example, for children older than 12 years, in severe cases, the pediatrician may prescribe 1.2 g tablets three times a day.
Side effects
When taking Amoxiclav from the digestive tract, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain in the stomach can occur. In some cases, the manifestation of allergic reactions, rashes on the skin is possible. However, subject to the requirements of the instructions, side effects are rare and are short-lived.
To determine the child’s allergies to the drug, you need to conduct a standard test: apply a drop of suspension to the inner surface of the child’s forearm. If a reaction occurs, you need to choose an analog that will be safe for health.
If the child has at least one of the listed symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor for advice.
Amoxiclav for children: reviews
Of course, before you buy a medicine, you need to read the recommendations and tips for its use on forums on the Internet, but it is better to take into account the recommendations of professional doctors, because it is about the health of the child.
Most parents note the positive effect of the drug on the child, the treatment process is accelerated, side effects are not observed. In some cases, mothers indicate manifestations of indigestion, which quickly pass.
Parents' comments note that Amoxiclav is a good and inexpensive antibiotic and its effect compared to Sumamed, for example, is much milder.
If a child falls ill, use Amoxiclav for children, reviews of which are only positive.