Co-Amoxiclav 625mg - Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid, 30 Tablets

Co-Amoxiclav treats bacterial infections of the ears, sinuses, throat, airways and lungs, skin and soft tissue, urinary tract and teeth. It combines a penicillin antibiotic with clavulanic acid, a beta-lactamase inhibitor that protects amoxicillin from bacterial enzymes. It does not work against viral infections such as colds or flu, so a doctor must confirm that the cause is bacterial before it is used.

Diarrhea or loose stools is the most common effect and is linked to the clavulanic acid; in trials it was reported by about 9 percent of patients, along with nausea, rash, vomiting and vaginal thrush. Serious reactions include severe allergic reactions, liver problems and antibiotic-associated colitis. Get urgent help for facial swelling, difficulty breathing or severe diarrhea.

There is no direct interaction between alcohol and amoxicillin-clavulanate, and alcohol does not appear to stop the antibiotic working. The FDA label does not list alcohol as an interaction. Heavy drinking can still worsen the nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that are already common with this antibiotic, so most doctors advise keeping alcohol to a minimum during the course.

For adults the standard regimen is one 500 mg/125 mg tablet every 12 hours, or one 250 mg/125 mg tablet every 8 hours. More severe and respiratory infections are treated with 875 mg/125 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg/125 mg every 8 hours. Swallow tablets whole at the start of a meal, spaced at least four hours apart, and finish the full course.

Plain amoxicillin contains only the penicillin antibiotic and is still first choice for many simple infections. Co-Amoxiclav adds clavulanic acid, which blocks the beta-lactamase enzymes that some bacteria use to destroy amoxicillin. This widens the spectrum to strains such as Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella that are often resistant to amoxicillin alone.

Many people start to feel better within two to three days, but the full course must be finished to clear the infection and reduce the risk of resistance. If symptoms are not improving after three to five days, or get worse at any point, contact a doctor instead of repeating the course yourself. Do not save leftover tablets for later.

This listing is stocked as 30-tablet packs of 625 mg tablets with international shipping at checkout. In most countries amoxicillin-clavulanate is a prescription medicine, so check the rules where you live before ordering. The information on this page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.