Management of Augmentin Administration

Description

Intravenous

Augmentin intravenous vials 600mg: White to off-white powder for reconstitution, containing amoxicillin 500mg (as amoxicillin sodium) and clavulanic acid 100mg (as potassium clavulanate).
The 600mg vials contain 1.55mmol of sodium and 0.5 mmol potassium
Note: There are two strengths of injection available: Augmentin 600mg and Augmentin 1.2g

Oral Syrup

Augmentin syrup 125: off white powder for preparation of suspension. The re-constituted
suspension contains per 5 ml: amoxicillin 125 mg ( as amoxicillin trihydrate) and clavulanic acid 31.25mg (as potassium clavulanate).
Note: there are two strengths of oral suspension available: Augmentin syrup 125 and Augmentin Forte syrup 250

Prescription

Intravenous:

Maintenance intravenous doses are charted on the prescription chart in mg of total drug
i.e. as Augmentin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid.

Oral:

Maintenance oral doses are charted in mls of amoxicillin /clavulanic acid i.e. as
Augmentin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid eg.
- Example: Augmentin 125 0.5 mls po tds
  or, Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid 125 0.5 mls po tds

Administration^1,4

Slow IV Injection

Shake vigorously and administer, through a PALL 0.2 micron filter, the prescribed dose by slow IV injection over 3-5 minutes.
The reconstituted solution of 60 mg in 1ml must be administered within 20
minutes of preparation.
Can be diluted further for intravenous infusion: refer to Augmentin data sheet
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/a/Augmentininj.htm
Incompatible with glucose 5%, glucose 10%, sodium bicarbonate, intravenous lipid emulsion, blood products, midazolam, and metronidazole.

Oral

Nursing Considerations

Storage^1,5,6

Intravenous:

Oral:

Store reconstituted suspension in the fridge until the expiry date as stated on the
bottle, then discard any remaining contents.

1	Augmentin® Injections [datasheet online]. GlaxoSmithKline [updated 2 July 2008]. Available from: URL: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/a/Augmentininj.htm
2	Martin, J (ed). British National Formulary for Children (BNFC 2007). London: BMJ Publishing Group, 2007.
3	Sweetman, SC (ed). Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference (35th ed). London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.
4	Trissel LA(ed.) . Handbook of Injectable Drugs (15th ed.). Bethesda: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 2009.
5	Tomlin S (ed.). Paediatric Formulary (7th ed.). London: Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, 2005.
6	Augmentin® Syrups (data sheet online). GlaxoSmithKline (updated 19 March 2008). Available from URL: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/a/Augmentinabsusp.htm