AUGMENTIN is an oral antibacterial combination consisting of the semisynthetic
antibiotic amoxicillin and the β-lactamase inhibitor, clavulanate potassium
(the potassium salt of clavulanic acid). Amoxicillin is an analog of ampicillin,
derived from the basic penicillin nucleus, 6-aminopenicillanic acid. The amoxicillin
molecular formula is C16H19N3O5S•3H2O,
and the molecular weight is 419.46. Chemically, amoxicillin is (2S,5R,6R)-6-[(R)-(-)-2-Amino-2-
(p-hydroxyphenyl)acetamido]-3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-
carboxylic acid trihydrate and may be represented structurally as:
Clavulanic acid is produced by the fermentation of Streptomyces clavuligerus.
It is a β-lactam structurally related to the penicillins and possesses
the ability to inactivate a wide variety of β-lactamases by blocking the
active sites of these enzymes. Clavulanic acid is particularly active against
the clinically important plasmid-mediated β-lactamases frequently responsible
for transferred drug resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins. The clavulanate
potassium molecular formula is C8H8KNO5, and
the molecular weight is 237.25. Chemically, clavulanate potassium is potassium
(Z)-(2R,5R)-3-(2-hydroxyethylidene)-7-oxo-4-oxa-1- azabicyclo[3.2.0]-heptane-2-carboxylate,
and may be represented structurally as:
Inactive Ingredients: Colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, magnesium
stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, sodium starch glycolate,
and titanium dioxide.
Each tablet of AUGMENTIN contains 0.63 mEq potassium.
What are the possible side effects of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin, Augmentin ES-600, Augmentin XR)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it;
- pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
- easy bruising or bleeding;
- skin rash, bruising, severe...
Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Augmentin »
Last reviewed on RxList: 10/13/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.