A member asked:

If a bacteria is susceptible to amoxicillin but not to clavulanate, and i was prescribed augmentin which is (amoxicillin/clavulanate) would the amoxicillin portion of it still be effective assuming its same dose if the amoxicillin was taken by itself?

6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Yvette Kratzberg answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic, it interferes with bacterial life cycle and causes them to stop growing and dividing. Some bacteria have developed a compound called beta-lactamase which breaks down the amoxicillin. Clavulanate (clavulanic acid) is in a class of compounds called beta-lactamase inhibitors. It prevents the bacteria from breaking down the amoxicillin, so that the antibiotic can work.

Answered 11/22/2021

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The clavulanate part is basically just a booster for the amoxicillin...hence the name Augmentin. So if the particular bacteria is sensitive to amoxicillin, the Augmentin definitely is effective--should be more effective than amoxicillin alone. Augmentin does carry more side effects such as nausea/vomiting/abdominal pain/diarrhea etc...Hope this explains things for you. Good luck

Answered 11/21/2021

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