This article was professionally consulted by Pharmacist, PhD Phan Quynh Lan, Director of Pharmacy, Vinmec Healthcare System - Head of Pharmacy Department, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
Augmentin is the name of an antibiotic commonly used in the treatment of infections such as respiratory tract infections. So, can Augmentin be used for pregnant and lactating women, is it safe or risky?
1. Overview of Augmentin
1.1. General information
Augmentin is the trade name of a drug containing Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. This is a combination antibiotic of the penicillin group.
Augmentin has the effect of preventing the growth of bacteria, so it is used to treat many types of infections caused by bacteria. This type of antibiotic will not be effective against viral diseases such as the common cold or flu. Therefore, indiscriminate use will lead to antibiotic resistance in the future, when the patient will be difficult to cure if infected.
1.2. Dosage
Usually, Augmentin is in tablet form, taken with a main meal or snack as directed by the doctor. Based on the dosage of each specific tablet, the drug is taken every 8 or 12 hours. In addition, the frequency of use can be flexible based on the patient's health condition as well as the ability to respond to the antibiotic-active ingredients. Many experts advise that antibiotics will be most effective when taken at evenly spaced intervals. Patients are also advised to take the drug at the same time every day to avoid missing a dose.
1.3. Treatment
Antibiotic treatment must strictly follow the doctor's instructions, do not stop using the drug on your own even when the symptoms have improved or even completely disappeared. Stopping the drug earlier than prescribed will create conditions for bacteria to continue to grow, and this can cause the infection to recur at a level that is more difficult to cure. After finishing the course of Augmentin antibiotics as prescribed, if the disease has not been cured, the patient must immediately contact the doctor for further treatment.
2. Can Augmentin be used for pregnant women?
Animal studies have shown that Augmentin does not cause any direct or indirect adverse effects on pregnancy and embryo/fetal development. Data on the use of Augmentin in pregnant women are limited but also show that there is no increased risk of birth defects in children whose mothers used Augmentin during pregnancy.
However, pregnant mothers should still be cautious and only use Augmentin when absolutely necessary and as prescribed by a doctor.
One study has shown that pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) using Augmentin to prevent infection can increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in newborns.
This is a condition that harms the baby, so women at risk of premature birth are advised not to use Amoxicillin and Clavulanate in the drug.
In short, the use of any drug for pregnant women, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy, must be prescribed by a specialist and only used when necessary.
3. Can Augmentin be used for lactating women?
Because both Amoxicillin and Clavulanate are excreted in breast milk, although Augmentin is considered quite safe for lactating mothers, it can still cause some symptoms in breastfed babies such as:
- Allergy
- Diarrhea
- Discomfort
- Rash
If the above unusual signs occur in the child, the mother should stop taking the drug immediately and contact the doctor or pharmacist for advice on how to handle it further.
Regarding the issue of whether Augmentin can be used for lactating and pregnant women, doctors say that it can still be used in cases of real necessity. The antibiotic-active ingredients in Augmentin rarely have adverse effects on the mother and fetus, as well as newborns and young children. However, pregnant women and women who are lactating need to remember to be careful when using any medication, limit use and only use when necessary.
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Reference source: WebMD
