Acuclav: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Price, Composition & 20 FAQs

Acuclav is a combination medicine used to treat different types of bacterial infections. It is a penicillin type antibiotic which contains “amoxicillin and clavulanic acid” as its active ingredients and is available in tablet form for oral administration. This combination results in a very potent antibacterial drug which has an increased range of action that is also active against bacteria which are resistant to amoxicillin. Acuclav is ineffective in treating viral infections like common cold, flu etc and thus should be abstained in treating viral infections. It should always be administered under medical supervision as overuse or unnecessary usage of Acuclav tablets may cause antibiotic resistance or decreased effectiveness of antibiotic.

Composition: Amoxicillin – 500mg, Clavulanic acid – 125mg
Manufactured by – Macleods pharmaceuticals LTD
Prescription– Prescription needed
Form – Tablet
Price – Rs. 142.6
Type of Drug – Antibiotic

Acuclav is used for the treatment of various bacterial infections:

• Respiratory tract infections
• Skin infections
• Sinus infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Ear infections
• Dental & oral infections
• Soft tissue infections
• Infected human / animal bites

• Amoxicillin is an analog of Penicillin (anti-bacterial drug) which stops the bacterial growth by interfering with the synthesis of bacterial cell wall.
• Clavulanic Acid works by inhibiting a wide variety of beta – lactamases produced by bacteria. Beta-lactamases are a family of enzymes produced by bacteria that inactivate many antibiotics. Therefore, clavulanic acid increases the potency of antibiotics against those bacteria.

• In order to reduce antibiotic resistance and increase the effectiveness of Acuclav, it is advisable that all antibacterial therapies including Acuclav should be selected based on bacterial culture and susceptibility tests.
• A particular antibiotic should only be used to treat or prevent infections which are susceptible to it.
• When on Acuclav therapy, it is always advised that medication should not be left in between without completing the full course as it:
• Might decrease the efficacy of the drug and
• Increase the likelihood of bacterial resistance to this drug thereby making it inefficient for future use.
• When administered in tablet form, swallow the tablet as a whole with fluids at a fixed time. Do not chew, break, or crush the tablet.
• The medicine is well absorbed orally and should be administered with food because absorption of this drug is better when taken with food and prevents gastric side effects. For best results, Acuclav must be taken at evenly spaced times.

• The dosage of the drug is to be decided by the doctor for every individual as per the age, weight, mental status, allergic history of the patient.
• Acuclav tablets come in the following strengths: 250 mg /125 mg, 500 mg/ 125 mg, 875 mg /125 mg
• A typical adult dosage is one 500-mg tablet of Acuclav every 12 hours or one 250-mg tablet every 8 hours.
• Severe infections / respiratory tract infections – one 875-mg tablet every 12 hours or one 500-mg tablet every 8 hours.
• The maximum recommended dosage in adults is 1200 mg amoxicillin/kg/day

Note: The dose of amoxicillin differs in tablets, but the dose of clavulanic acid remains same.

Q. What happens if I overdose on Acuclav?

Acuclav should not be administered in more than prescribed dose. An overdose of Acuclav can lead to pain in stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. Rashes, itching on skin, hyperactivity, or dizziness have also been observed in a small number of patients. In the case of over-dosage, discontinue use of Acuclav and contact your consulting physician immediately.

Q. What happens if I miss a dose of Acuclav?

The potency of the medicine may decrease because for effective working of the drug, a certain amount of drug must be present in your body at all times. Always consume the missed dose as soon as you remember. But, if it’s already time for the next dose – do not double the dose.

Q. What happens if I eat expired Acuclav?

The medicine may not work as well as the potency of the medicine gets affected. Please inform your physician regarding the same. To be on the safer side, always check and never use an expired medicine.

Q. What is the onset time of Acuclav?

Acuclav starts working within 1-2 hours after oral administration. You should start to feel recovered during the first few days of treatment with Acuclav. Even if the symptoms disappear, complete dose prescribed by your doctor must be taken for complete cessation of infection from your body.

Q. Till when does the effect of Acuclav stay?

The duration of time for which the medicine remains effective is around 6-8 hours. 

Acuclav should not be used in the following conditions:

• Acuclav should be avoided in patients who have a positive history of allergy to any penicillin.
• It should also be avoided in patients with a history of chronic liver disease/jaundice associated with Acuclav in the past.
• Acuclav doesn’t work in case of viral infections (such as flu, common cold)). Unnecessary use of antibiotic must be avoided because it decreases its efficacy.
• Acuclav should be avoided in patients who have HIV/AIDS, Mononucleosis, Leukemia (ALL type)
• Acuclav should be avoided in patients who have been receiving BCG live vaccine or typhoid live vaccine oral.

• Even if you begin to feel better in a few days of treatment with Acuclav, it is advisable that you complete the entire course of treatment. If the medicine is stopped in between, the symptoms might return or may get worsened. Also chances of bacterial resistance to drug may increase.
• Oral intake of Acuclav will result in high concentrations of amoxicillin in urine which can interfere with urine tests for glucose.

Acuclav is associated with variety of adverse effects which may include:

• Nausea (common)
• Vomiting (common)
• Stomach pain (common)
• Gas in stomach (common)
• White fungal patches in mouth (less common)
• Vaginal fungal infection (less common)
• Jaundice (less common)
• Easy bleeding (less common)
• Confusion and unusual behaviours or thoughts (less common)
• Loss of appetite (less common)
• Diarrhoea called Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (rare) which can cause watery, loose stool with very foul smell. (less common)

In addition, it may also cause some allergic or unwanted effects. In such cases, seek medical attention immediately.

Are There Any Reported Allergic Reactions to Acuclav?

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Signs and symptoms include:

• Rash (common)
• Itching (common)
• Shortness of breath (less common)
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat (rare)
• Loss of consciousness (rare)

What are the effects of Acuclav on organs?

Patients with pre-existing liver and kidney should administer Acuclav with caution and under the observation of a doctor.

Drug interaction refers to effect of drugs on each other and on human body after ingestion. Large numbers of medicines have shown to interact with each other. Interactions are not just limited to drugs, but certain food items and some laboratory tests which should not be taken right after consuming Acuclav. We explore these in details below.

1. Food Interactions with Acuclav

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit products/juice while taking Acuclav.

2. Medicines Interactions with Acuclav

It is always advised that the patient must inform the physician about all the drugs/over the counter products/vitamin supplements used.It may interact with the following drugs and products:

• Probenecid (moderate)
• Allupurinol (moderate)
• Warfarin and other blood thinners (moderate)
• Exanatide (moderate)
• Chloroquine (moderate)
• Methotrexate (severe)
• Live vaccines (severe)
• Magnesium Citrate (moderate)
• Proton pump inhibitors such as rabeprazole, omeprazole (moderate)

3. Effects of Acuclav on Lab Tests

Oral intake of Acuclav will result in high concentrations of amoxicillin in urine which can interfere with urine tests for glucose.

4. Interactions with Pre-existing Conditions/Diseases

Patients suffering from pre-existing kidney diseases and liver disease must consult their physician before consuming Acuclav.

Q. Can I have Acuclav with alcohol?

Concomitant administration of Acuclav with alcohol increases the risk of side effects like dizziness and drowsiness thus it should be avoided.

Q. Any particular food item to be avoided?

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit products/juice while taking Acuclav.

Q. Can I have Acuclav when pregnant?

Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking Acuclav during pregnancy can reduce estrogen levels in your body. You must consult your physician regarding the same. In common with other broad-spectrum antibiotics, Acuclav can also decrease the efficacy of oral contraceptives.

Q. Can I have Acuclav when feeding a baby?

Acuclav should be used with caution in breastfeeding women as the drug may pass into breast milk and lead to adverse effects in foetus. Always inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding your child.

Q. Can I drive after taking Acuclav?

Acuclav does affect your ability to drive as it is associated with side effects like drowsiness, dizziness thus it may not be advisable to drive a vehicle and operate heavy machinery while on this medication.

The following are alternative drugs for Acuclav:

• Bactoclav
  • Manufactured by – Microlabs limited
  • Price – Rs.188.83
• Boxyclav
  • Manufactured by – Bion Therapeutics India Pvt Ltd
  • Price – Rs.161.4
• Augmentin Duo
  • Manufactured by – Glaxo
  • Price – Rs.188.83
• Advent 625
  • Manufactured by – Cipla
  • Price – Rs.188.81
• Amclaid 625
  • Manufactured by – Indoco remedies Ltd
  • Price – Rs.188.83
• Polyclav
  • Manufactured by – Mcleods Pharmaceutical Ltd
  • Price – Rs.142.6
• Anticlav
  • Manufactured by – Linux Laboratories
  • Price – Rs.109.54

Storage requirements for Acuclav

• Storage at room temperature away from direct light and heat unless mentioned in the package insert.
• Keep medicines away from children and pets.

Q. What is Acuclav?

Acuclav is a combination medicine used to treat different types of bacterial infections. It is a penicillin type antibiotic which contains “amoxicillin and clavulanic acid” as its active ingredients and is available in tablet form for oral administration. This combination results in a very potent antibacterial drug which has an increased range of action that is also active against bacteria which are resistant to amoxicillin. Acuclav is ineffective in treating viral infections like common cold, flu etc and thus should be abstained in treating viral infections.

Q. What are the uses of Acuclav?

Acuclav is a combination medicine used to treat different types of bacterial infections.

Q. What are the side effects of Acuclav?

Ans. The most common side effects of Acuclav are Nausea, Vomiting, Stomach pain, Gas in stomach, White fungal patches in mouth, Vaginal fungal infection

Q. Should Acuclav be taken on an empty stomach?

Acuclav can be taken empty stomach or after meals but absorption is better after meals.

Q. Does Acuclav make you drowsy?

Yes Acuclav may make you feel dizzy and drowsy.

Q. What should be the time gap between the intakes of two Acuclav doses?

There should be a time gap of at least 8-12 hours between two doses of Acuclav.

Q. Should I complete the whole cycle of the medicine even if cured?

A complete course prescribed by your doctor must be taken for complete cessation of symptoms from your body.

Q. Does Acuclav effect my menstrual cycle?

Acuclav may rarely affect menstrual cycle in females.

Q. Is Acuclav safe for children?

Acuclav is safe for consumption in children after dose calculation according to body weight and age.

Q. Are there any symptoms that I should consider before taking Acuclav?

Patients with known pre-existing allergy to penicillin group of antibiotics and patients with severe liver and kidney disease should administer Acuclav with caution.

Q. Is Acuclav legal in India?

Yes, it is legal.

Disclaimer – The information provided above is to the best of our research and knowledge. However, you are recommended to consult a physician before consuming the drug.