Amoxil vs. Augmentin compares the antibiotics amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanate. Amoxil contains only amoxicillin, which stops bacterial cell wall synthesis. Augmentin combines amoxicillin with clavulanate, which stops bacterial beta-lactamase. Augmentin is more expensive and has more side effects than Amoxil. Both antibiotics are well absorbed, partially metabolized in the liver, and mainly excreted in urine.

1. Amoxil vs. Augmentin
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2. Stephanie Doran
Anna Mastenbrook
HLTH 220
Winter 2012
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3. Amoxicillin Background
Information
 Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic, meaning it fights harmful
bacteria found within the body.
 It can treat bacterial infections such as ear
infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea, bladder infections, and E.
coli.
 It can also be combined with certain medications such as
clarithromycin to treat stomach ulcers caused by the H.
Pylori infection.
 Antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of birth control
pills, so use non-hormonal forms of birth control
(condoms, diaphragm, spermicide) to avoid unplanned
pregnancy.
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4. Amoxil vs. Augmentin
Amoxil Augmentin
 The generic name for Amoxil is  The generic name for
amoxicillin. Augmentin is
amoxicillin/clavulanate.
 Amoxicillin stops cell wall
synthesis.  This medication combines
amoxicillin and clavulanate.
 It is a broad-spectrum  Clavulanate stops bacterial
antibiotic and is used to kill a beta-lactamase.
wide variety of bacterial
infections.
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5. Amoxil Drug Availability
•Amoxil is available in a
capsule, chewable
tablet, and a liquid 0ral
suspension.
•Amoxil is easily identified
by it’s pink opaque body
and royal blue opaque
cap.
•Capsules are preferred
by many because they are
odorless, tasteless, and
easy to swallow. They
also reduce
gastrointestinal irritation
compared with tablets.
•The unique color and
designs on the capsules 250-mg Capsule
make them easy to
identify and distinguish.
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6. Augmentin Drug Availability
•Augmentin is available in
a chewable tablet, liquid
suspension or extended-
release tablet.
•Chewable tablets come in
different flavors such as
banana cherry
peppermint, and lemon-
lime.
Extended-Release Tablet Chewable Tablet
•Extended release tablets (banana-cherry
are available in 200
mg, 250 mg, 400 mg, and
peppermint)
1000 mg.
•Oral suspension is
available in 125, 250 and
400 susp (Augmentin).
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7. ClarithromycinvsClavulinate
 Amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) and
Amoxicillin/clarithromycins (Amoxil/Biaxin) are both first-line
antibiotics when treating acute rhinosinusitis. The clarithromycin
produces a faster and more effective improvement in symptoms.
 When combining clarithromycin with Amoxil, the clarithromycin is
better tolerated than the Augmentin.
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8. Allergies
Do not take Amoxicillin Products if you are allergic to the
following:
 Amoxicillin
 Any penicillin products such as ampicillin
(Omnipen,Principen), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin
(Bactocill), penicillin (Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Beepen-
VK, Pfitzerpen, V-Cillin K, or Veetids).
 Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any Cephalosporins such as
Omnicef, Keflex, Cefzil, and Ceftin. They may recommend that you
do not take Amoxil.
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9. Common Side Effects
Amoxill Augmentin
 Nausea  Nausea
 Vomiting  Vomiting
 Diarrhea  Headache
 Headache  Skin rash
 Vaginal yeast infection  Vaginal yeast infection
 Clavulanic acid is known to
cause upset stomach
(vomiting, diarrhea, nausea)
in many people.
* There are less side effects associated with Amoxil than with
Augmentin. Both can cause allergic reactions in patients who have
allergies to penicillin (RxList).
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10. Adverse Reactions
Amoxil Augmentin
 Amoxil can cause the following Augmentin can cause the following
adverse reactions: adverse reactions:
 Gastrointestinal:  Hypersensitivity:
 Black hairy tongue, glossitis,  Puritus, urticaria, angioedema
stomatitis. and sickness like reactions.
 Renal:  Liver
 Acute interstitial nephritis.  Rise in AST, and hepatic
 Hematologic (reversible upon dysfunction
cessation on medication):  Central Nervous System:
 Anemia, and leukopenia.  Agitation, anxiety, behavioral
 Hypersensitivity: changes, confusion,
 Erythematous, and urticarial convulsions, dizziness, and
rash insomnia.
 Hepatic:  Miscellaneous:
 Rise in serum AST (RxMed).  Tooth discoloration typically in
pediatric patients (Drug
Library).
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11. Contraindications & Cautions
 Both Axmoxil and Augmentin Augmentin Cautions:
have contraindications  Previous history of
associated with cholestatic jaundice
hypersensitivity to penicillin or hepatic dysfunction
and mononucleosis. associated with
Augmentin
 Both Amoxil and Augmentin (Augmentin).
have cautions that pertain to
history of allergies to
cephalosporins.
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12. Half - Life
Amoxil&Augmentin
 Half life in both Amoxil and
Augmentin is the same.
 Around 1- 1.3 hours
 This time may be increased
in cases where renal
impairment is present.
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13. Cost Effectiveness
Amoxil Augmentin
 For 63 pills, the average  For 63 pills, the average
price is around $52 price is around $125.
 Cost per pill is around $0.82  Cost per pill is around $1.98
 Augmentin is more than
double the cost of Amoxil.
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14. Dose Convenience
Amoxill Augmentin
 For adults with moderate  Adults taking this medication
severity of infection take 500-
mg ever 12 hours, or 250 mg usually take one 500-mg
every 8 hours. every 12 hours
 For children with moderate  Children weighing less than
severity of infection take 25
mg/kg/day every 12 hours or 40 kg take a 250-mg
20 mg/kg/day every 8 hours. chewable tablet.
 The Children’s dosage is
recommended for those 40 kg
or less.
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15. Pharmacodynamics
 “This drug acts by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. It
inhibits cross-linkage between the linear peptidoglycan polymer
chains that make up a major component of the cell walls of both
Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria,” (Wikipedia).
 Amoxicillin stops bacteria from multiplying and forming walls that
surround the bacteria. These walls are in charge of protecting the
bacteria. Without the wall, bacteria cannot survive, so by eliminating
the wall, the bacteria themselves are eliminated as well.
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16. Pharmacokinetics
 Both drugs are well absorbed from the GI tract. These drug’s
protein binding is around twenty percent. Both are partially
metabolized in the liver and mainly excreted through the urine. It is
removed by hemodialysis.
 “Approximately 50% to 70% of the amoxicillin and approximately
25% to 40% of the clavulanic acid are excreted unchanged in urine
during the first 6 hours after administration of a single Augmentin
250 mg or 500 mg tablet. Concurrent administration of probenecid
delays amoxicillin excretion but does not delay renal excretion of
clavulanic acid” (Drug Library).
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17. Pharmacotherapeutics
Amoxil
 Amoxil is used to treat infections due to:
 Streptocci, E. coli, E. faecalis, P. mirabilis, H.
influenzae, N. gonorrhoeae, and H.plyori.
 These bacterial infections include:
 Ear, nose and throat infections, genitourinary tract
infections, skin infections, lower respiratory tract
infections, and sexually transmitted diseases.
 Off label uses can include treatment of:
 Chlamydial infections, post prophylaxis for
anthrax, endocarditis, Typhoid Fever, and Lyme Disease
(eMedExpert).
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18. Pharmacotherapeutics
Augmentin
 Augmentin is used to treat infections due to:
 Streptocci, E.coli, E. faecalis, P. mirabilis, beta-lactamase
producing H. influenzaw, Klebsiella M. catarrhalie, and S.
aureus (MRSA).
 These bacterial infections include:
 Lower respiratory tract infections, otis
media, sinusitis, skin infections and urinary tract infections.
 Off label uses can include treatment of:
 Pelvic inflammatory disease, chlamydial
infections, peritonitis, and intra-abdominal and pelvic
sepsis (eMedExpert).
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19. Pros & Cons
Amoxil Augmentin
 Provides highly sustained  Increased side effects than
blood antibiotic levels. amoxil alone.
 Inexpensive.  Expensive
 Prolonged use can cause a
 Researched for more than fungal or a superinfection.
forty years.
 Lacks protection against
 Diffuses readily into body atypical microbes.
systems and tissues.
 Broad spectrum increases risk
of developing resistance.
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20. Why is Amoxil Better?
 Capsule availability is a huge plus.
 Amoxil is more tolerable than Augmentin because
Augmentin contains clavulanic acid.
 Amoxil is less than half the price of Augmentin.
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21. References
 Amoxil 250. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from:
http://www.drugs.com/imprints/amoxil-250-amoxil-250-667.html
 Capsugel. Retrieved February 4 ,2012. The Hard Gelatin Capsule Advantage.
http://capsugel.com/media/library/the-hard-gelatin-capsule-advantage.pdf
 Drugs.com Retrieved February 6, 2012. Amoxicillin.
http://www.drugs.com/amoxicillin.html
 Drugs.com Retrieved February 3, 2012. Amoxil Dosage.
http://www.drugs.com/dosage/amoxil.html
 Drugs.com. Retrieved February 3, 2012. Augmentin Dosage.
http://www.drugs.com/dosage/augmentin.html
 Drug Library. Augmentin. Health Central. Retrieved on February 14, 2012 from:
http://www.healthcentral.com/druglibrary/408/augmentin-clinical_pharmacology.html
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22. References Continued:
 eDrugSearch. Retrieved February 7, 2012. Amoxil and
Augmentinhttp://www.edrugsearch.com/compare-drug-prices-buy-online/amoxil
 eMedExpert. Retrieved February 8, 2012. Augmentin (Amoxicillin/clavulanate) versus…
http://www.emedexpert.com/compare-meds/amoxicillin-clavulanate.shtml
 eMedExpert. Amoxicillin. Retrieved on February 14, 2012 from:
http://www.emedexpert.com/facts/amoxicillin-facts.shtml
 Hodgson, B., &Kizior, R. (2012). Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2012. St. Louis, Mo.
Elsevier Saunders.
 PharmacyChecker.com. Retrieved February 7, 2012. http://www.pharmacychecker.com/
 RxMed. Amoxicillin. Retrieved on February 12, 2012 from:
http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b2.pharmaceutical/b2.prescribe.html
 RxList. Retrieved February 1, 2012. Augmentin. http://www.rxlist.com/augmentin-
drug/patient-images-side-effects.htm
 Wikipedia. Retrieved February 4, 2012. Amoxicillin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amoxicillin
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