Amoxicillin-clavulanate

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Is it Still Good Past Expiration Date?

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (also known under the brand name Augmentin) is a beta-lactam combination antibiotic. Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. Clavulanate potassium is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that helps prevent certain bacteria from becoming resistant to amoxicillin.

This combination antibiotic is used to treat bacterial infections such as bites, dental infections, pneumonia, ear infections, sinusitis, skin infections and in some cases, urinary tract infections.

When stored in a cool, dry and dark area away from sunlight and capped, amoxicillin-clavulanate can retain much of its potency past expiration date. In fact, there is no evidence that this antibiotic becomes toxic past its expiration date, however it may become less effective.

What is the difference between shelf life and expiration date?

Shelf life is the time a product is exposed to storage conditions such as heat, light and humidity and how it affects the potency of a drug. Expiration dates reflect the time period during which the product is expected to remain stable, or retain its identity, strength, quality, and purity, when it is properly stored according to its labeled storage conditions. According to the Shelf Life Extension Program, a joint initiative of the FDA and Department of Defense that tested 122 drugs for potency after their expiration date, revealed that Ampicillin, which is in the same family as Amoxicillin-Clavulanate maintained its active ingredients with no deterioration in strength for up to 64 months. This represents an average extension time, with some lots testing even further out on the timeline. Given the stated expiration date of Ampicillin is around 2 years, this represents a significant increase in time that it is still active. From 64 months on (Over 5 years) potency may be slightly affected. Research is ongoing.

How to take Amoxicillin- Clavulanate

Tablets can be taken with or without food, but typically gastrointestinal side effects are lessened when taken with food. Avoid high fat foods as this can make it harder for your body to absorb the medication. Tablets may be crushed if difficulty swallowing pills. If taking an extended-release tablet, DO NOT CRUSH- Swallow whole.

Side Effects

Most common side effects include: gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea (may be caused by c. diff), nausea, and vomiting
Less common side effects include: abdominal pain, flatulence, low platelet count, liver injury, rash, and headaches

When To Avoid

Allergy or hypersensitivity to amoxicillin or clavulanic acid, or other beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin or cephalosporins (like Keflex or cephalexin)
History of kidney or liver disease (or on dialysis)
Co-administration with probenecid and allopurinol
Avoid if suspicion or confirmed mononucleosis infection
Tell your care provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This antibiotic can pass into breast milk and affect the infant.
Amoxicillin-Clavulanate can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your care provider about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge) to prevent pregnancy.

Seek medical attention if you experience:

Discontinue and seek emergency help if: signs of allergy (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Diarrhea that is bloody or watery
Swollen glands
Muscle aches
Yellowing of skin and/or eyes (jaundice)
Severe weakness
Unusual bruising

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

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How do Antibiotics Work? Part 4

The best way to take antibiotics is to never need them. But that isn’t always an option. However, there are some steps you can take to strengthen your immune system so that you and your loved ones can fight off illness. The recent outbreak of deaths from group A strep– which is usually treated with Amoxicillin, is currently in short supply. This highlights the fragility of our nations drug supply. Check this site for current drug shortages- if a medication you are taking is on the list contact your care provider to get your medications refilled, and if available ask for a years supply of your meds.

8 tips to strengthen your immune system

Get good quality sleep

According to the Sleep foundation good quality sleep enhances both the innate and adaptive immune system responses. Non rapid eye movement, known as NREM is deep sleep slows the body’s processes allowing more energy to be directed at healing. Sleep is such an important topic that it really needs its own post.

Cut back on sugar

Professor of immunobiology at Yale, Ruslan Medzhitov performed experiments on mice- after infecting the mice with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes he fed one group fat and proteins. They lived. The group he fed simple carbohydrates died. Conversely, when the mice were infected with an influenzas virus and fed fats and proteins, they were more likely to die compared to the mice fed simple carbohydrates. In other words, balance is the key. If unsure if you have a viral or bacterial infection it is best to just cut out excess sugar.

Increase fresh fruits and vegetables

Up to 80% of our immune system is housed in lymphoid tissue in your intestines, It is called gut associated lymph tissue (GALT) By eating fiber rich foods the beneficial bacteria help the immune system do its job. In addition, a study found that eating a diverse diet high in fiber rich foods can help combat antibiotic resistance. There needs to be more research in this area of study, however initial results are promising.

In addition, several varieties of mushrooms are known to improve immune system function and are being studied for their cancer fighting properties.

Drink plenty of water

Water helps flush toxins out of the body, both through elimination and mucus membranes.

The bloodstream is comprised mostly of water. To help the body fight infection keeping hydrated helps the white blood cells do their job- fight infections.

Avoid alcohol and smoking–

Both can decrease immunity

Keep your vitamin D levels up

Vitamin D is well known to help fight infections. Be sure that when you take vitamin D (which is really not a vitamin, it is a steroid hormone) be sure to add vitamin K2, also known as MK 7, This is important, because this helps avoid calcium buildup in your arteries.

Reduce and manage stress

Stress raises our cortisol levels which in turn suppresses the immune response to pathogenic invaders.

Exercise to boost immunity

Research shows that 20–40 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day is adequate to provide a positive boost to the immune system. Exercise helps circulate the infection fighting cells in the body.

If you still need an antibiotic Jase has you covered

The 5 antibiotics in the Jase case can cover a wide range of bacterial illnesses. If in doubt contact Jase provider for guidance, part of the outstanding service Jase offers is unlimited follow up for questions about antibiotic use.

Let’s take a look at some of the infections Jase antibiotics cover:

Amoxicillin-clavulanate 875 mg tablets (28 tablets)

When amoxicillin is not available due to current shortages this antibiotic can be substituted. Other uses include group A strep, sinusitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and infections of the skin

Azithromycin 250 mg tablets (6 tablets)

Bacterial pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, skin infections, Travelers diarrhea, urinary tract infection

Ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablets (28 tablets)

Bioterrorism infections from anthrax, Tularemia or plague exposure

Travelers diarrhea

Doxycycline 100 mg capsules (120 capsules)

Bioterrorism infections from anthrax, Tularemia, or plague exposure

Skin infection, tetanus, bites (animal or human)

Metronidazole 500 mg tablets (30 tablets)