What is the antimicrobial coverage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate)?

From the Guidelines

Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) provides broad-spectrum coverage against many common bacterial pathogens, including both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, but misses MRSA and some gram-negative rods, as noted in the 2014 guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections 1.

Antimicrobial Coverage

The antimicrobial coverage of Augmentin includes:

• Streptococci
• Staphylococci (except MRSA)
• Eikenella corrodens
• Multiple anaerobic organisms, including Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas, and Prevotella species However, it is essential to note that Augmentin may not be effective against:
• MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
• Some gram-negative rods, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Certain anaerobes, such as Bacteroides fragilis

Clinical Use

Augmentin is commonly used for:

• Respiratory tract infections
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Urinary tract infections The typical adult dosage for mild to moderate infections is 875 mg/125 mg twice daily or 500 mg/125 mg three times daily for 7-10 days, depending on the severity and type of infection, as recommended in the guidelines for the management of adults with community-acquired pneumonia 1.

Important Considerations

When using Augmentin, it is crucial to consider the patient's history of penicillin allergy and potential hypersensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics, as well as the local resistance patterns and patient-specific factors, as emphasized in the review of guidelines for complicated skin and soft tissue infections and intra-abdominal infections 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Amoxicillin has been shown to be active against most isolates of the following microorganisms, both in vitroand in clinical infections [see Indications and Usage (1)] Gram-Positive Bacteria Enterococcus faecalis Staphylococcusspp. Streptococcus pneumoniae Streptococcusspp (alpha and beta-hemolytic) Gram-Negative Bacteria Escherichia coli Haemophilus influenzae Helicobacter pylori Proteus mirabilis

The antimicrobial coverage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) includes:

• Gram-Positive Bacteria:
  • Enterococcus faecalis
  • Staphylococcusspp.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Streptococcusspp (alpha and beta-hemolytic)
• Gram-Negative Bacteria:
  • Escherichia coli
  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Helicobacter pylori
  • Proteus mirabilis 2

From the Research

Antimicrobial Coverage of Augmentin

The antimicrobial coverage of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) includes:

• Beta-lactamase-producing pathogens such as Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis 3, 4, 5
• Streptococcus pneumoniae, including penicillin-susceptible and penicillin-resistant strains 3, 4, 5
• Other respiratory tract pathogens, including those causing community-acquired pneumonia, acute otitis media, and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis 3, 4, 5

Spectrum of Activity

The spectrum of activity of Augmentin is broad, covering a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including:

• Streptococcus pneumoniae 3, 4, 5
• Haemophilus influenzae 3, 4, 5
• Moraxella catarrhalis 3, 4, 5
• Escherichia coli 5
• Proteus mirabilis 5
• Staphylococci 5

Comparison with Other Antibiotics

Augmentin has been compared with other antibiotics, including:

• Cefdinir, which has a similar spectrum of activity and is effective against beta-lactamase-producing strains of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis 6
• Levofloxacin, which has a broader spectrum of activity and is effective against both penicillin-susceptible and penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae 7