Final answer:
Augmentin is a combination antibiotic containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. It has a narrow spectrum of activity, targeting primarily gram-positive bacteria. It is commonly used to treat various infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pharmacokinetics
Augmentin is a combination antibiotic containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Amoxicillin is absorbed well from the gastrointestinal tract and reaches peak concentrations in the blood within 1-2 hours. It is metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine. Clavulanic acid is also well absorbed and distributed in various body tissues. It undergoes metabolism in the liver and is excreted in the urine. The half-life of both components is about 1-1.5 hours.
Spectrum of Activity
Augmentin has a narrow spectrum of activity, primarily targeting gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. It also has limited activity against certain gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Haemophilus influenzae. Additionally, Augmentin is active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis.
Clinical Use
Augmentin is commonly used to treat various infections caused by susceptible bacteria, such as respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and certain types of sexually transmitted infections. It is also used for prophylaxis in certain surgical procedures to prevent postoperative infections.