These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Augmentin
Question: The only difference Amoxil and Augmentin have is that Augmentin has an acid in it, correct? Why then would that be prescribed over the Amoxil. What benefit does it have? By the prescribed over the Amoxil. What benefit does the acid have? By the way this was prescribed for otitis media and slight bronchitis.
Answer: Augmentin is a combination of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate potassium. Clavulanate potassium is technically the potassium salt of clavuligerus. It is added to Amoxicillin due to its ability to inactivate beta-lactamases. These are substances produced by bacterial defenses. Amoxicillin has historically been an excellent drug for many infections. However, development of resistance-often due to beta-lactamases has made it less effective. The addition of clavulanate potassium to Amoxicillin has generally made the drug much more effective against resistant bacteria.
