I. Augmentin Fact File

Augmentin was launched by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

GlaxoSmithKline is a world-leading, research-based pharmaceutical company operating in more than 100 countries and employing more than 100,000 people worldwide. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a world leading research-based pharmaceutical company with a powerful combination of skills and resources that provides a platform for delivering strong growth in today's rapidly changing healthcare environment. Headquartered in the UK and with operations based in the US, the new company is one of the industry leaders, with an estimated seven per cent of the world's pharmaceutical market.

GSK has more than 20 research and development (R&D) facilities around the world, with an annual R&D budget of around $7 billion and more than 16,000 people employed in R&D.

GSK also has leadership in four major therapeutic areas - anti-infectives, central nervous system (CNS), respiratory and gastro-intestinal/metabolic. In addition, it is a leader in the important area of vaccines and has a growing portfolio of oncology products.

GSK also has a Consumer Healthcare portfolio comprising over-the-counter (OTC) medicines; oral care products and nutritional healthcare drinks, all of which are among the market leaders.

GSK's R&D is based at 24 sites in seven countries. The company has a leading position in genomics/genetics and new drug discovery technologies. The GSK R&D budget is about £2.4bn/$4bn.

II. Augmentin Medication

Augmentin is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called penicillin's. Augmentin fights bacteria in the body. Augmentin is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections, such as sinusitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and infections of the skin.

Antibiotic: Information

Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medications in modern medicine. Since their discovery in the 1930s, antibiotics have made it possible to cure diseases caused by bacteria such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and meningitis - saving the lives of millions of people around the world.

Antibiotics cure disease by killing or injuring bacteria. The first antibiotic was penicillin, discovered accidentally from a mold culture. Today, over 100 different antibiotics are available to doctors to cure minor discomforts as well as life-threatening infections.

Explanation for diagram : Different antibiotics destroy bacteria in different ways. Some short-circuit the processes by which bacteria receive energy. Others disturb the structure of the bacterial cell wall, as shown in the illustration above. Still others interfere with the production of essential proteins.)

Although antibiotics are useful in a wide variety of infections, it is important to realize that antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics are useless against viral infections (for example, the common cold) and fungal infections (such as ringworm). Your doctor can best determine if an antibiotic is right for your condition.

But antibiotics must be used wisely. Because bacteria are living organisms, they are always changing in an effort to resist the drugs that can kill them. When antibiotics are used incorrectly, bacteria can adapt and become resistant. Antibiotics are then no longer useful in fighting them. Antibiotic resistance is now a major public health issue. The correct use of these drugs is the best way to ensure that antibiotics remain useful in treating infections.

Bacterial infections: Infection

Bacterial infections are caused by the presence and growth of microorganisms that damage host tissue. The extent of infection is generally determined by how many organisms are present and the toxins they release.

Worldwide, bacterial infections are responsible for more deaths than any other cause. Symptoms can include inflammation and swelling, pain, heat, redness, and loss of function. The most important risk factors are burns, severe trauma, low white blood cell counts, patients on immunotherapy treatment, and anyone with malnutrition or vitamin deficiency.

Bacteria are generally spread from an already infected person to the newly infected person. The most common invasion routes are inhalation of airborne bacteria, ingestion into the stomach from dirty hands or utensils, or through contaminated food or water, direct contact with an infected area of another person's body, contaminated blood, or by insect bite.

The first of the body's three primary lines of defense includes naturally occurring chemicals such as the lysozymes found in tears, gastric acid of the stomach, pancreatic enzymes of the bowel, and fatty acids in the skin. The body's immune response becomes involved only if the infective organism manages to invade the body. Nonspecific immune response--the body's second line of defense--consists primarily of inflammation, whereas specific immune response--the third line of defense--relies on the activation of lymphocytes, which send T- and B-cells to try to recognize the specific type of organism involved. T-cells marshal cytotoxic cells, which are sent to destroy the organism, and B-cells produce the antibodies--immunoglobulins--that can destroy specific types of bacteria.

Classes of Antibiotics

1. Penicillins
   
   The penicillin class of antibiotics is a diverse, yet highly essential class of antibiotics. The penicillin class includes penicillin G, penicillin V, amoxicillin, ampicillin, nafcillin, ticarcillin (combined with clavulanic acid = Timentin), Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid), Zosyn, and many, many others. Penicillins work by damaging the cell wall of the bacteria.
   
   Penicillin and all of its derivatives come from a mold, Penicillium notatum, which is toxic bluish-green mold often found on old bread. The mold must be carefully processed to produce the penicillin. This compound was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1929 and was made famous during World War II. These antibiotics are used to treat a variety of infections including strep throat, upper respiratory infections, salmonella (food poisoning), gonorrhea, chlamydia, and many other infections.
   
2. Cephalosporins
   
   Cephalosporins are another widely used class of antibiotics. They are similar to penicillins in structure, but in general, can treat a broader range of infections. For example, these antibiotics are used to treat strep throat, cellulitis, E. coli infections, pneumonia, upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, and gonorrhea. Cephalosporins act by disrupting the bacterial cell wall. A few of the medications in this class include:
   
   cephalexin (Keflex)
   cefazolin (Ancef or Kefzol)
   cefaclor (Ceclor)
   loracarbef (Lorabid)
   ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
   cefotaxime (Claforan)
   
3. Sulfa Drugs
   
   Sulfa drugs are the oldest antibiotics available and are also among the best. Sulfa was first used in 1930's. Sulfa drugs include sulfamethoxazole, a component of Bactrim®, sulfasoxazole, and many others. These drugs are used to treat a variety of infections including urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, and pneumonia. Sulfa compounds work by inhibiting nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) synthesis.
   
4. Tetracyclines
   
   Tetracyclines are antibiotics often used to treat penicillin-resistant infections. Tetracyclines are often used to treat gonorrhea, chlamydia, lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, and pneumonia.
   
   Tetracyline antibiotics include doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline. These compounds are antimicrobial because of their inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis. They bind to the cellular organelles called ribosomes, and interfere with the assembly of bacterial amino acids into proteins.
   
   It is important to take tetracyclines at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking an antacid, drinking milk, or taking iron. Antacids, milk (due to its calcium content), and iron decrease the absorption of tetracyclines.
   
   Tetracyclines can cause bone deformities in children, and should not be given to anyone under the age of 8. The most common side effects of tetracyclines include diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and sore mouth. Tetracyclines may increase sensitivity to the sun, so avoid prolonged exposure and wear sunscreen when taking such compounds.
   
5. Macrolides
   
   Macrolides are a class of drugs that are entirely different from penicillins, but are often used to treat many of the same diseases. Penicillins work by damaging the cell wall of the bacteria. In contrast, macrolides inhibit protein synthesis but by a different mechanism than tetracycline. The structural differences in macrolides also make them ideal alternatives to penicillin in patients who have penicillin allergies.
   
   Macrolides are often used to treat pneumonia, whooping cough, diphtheria, upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, sinus infections, and many other diseases. Examples of macrolides include:
   
   erythromycin
   clarithromycin (Biaxin)
   azithromycin (Zithromax or Z-pak)
   
   Common side effects with Macrolides include: stomach upset, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and nausea and vomiting.
   
6. Fluoroquinolones
   
   Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum anti-infectives. They are used to treat a variety of infections, including strep throat, pneumonia, severe upper-respiratory infections, several of the STDs, and some of the severe hospital-acquired infections. Examples of some of the fluoroquinolones are ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin). Ciprofloxacin has been used to treat persons exposed to anthrax in recent bioterrorism events in the US.
   
   Common side effects with Fluoroquinolones include: diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and nausea. To help reduce the side effects, try to take these medications 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking an antacid or drinking milk.
   
7. Intravenous (IV) Antibiotics
   
   Aminoglycosides
   
   Aminoglycosides is a class of antibiotics is only available as IV infusions because they are not well absorbed orally. However, they can also be given as an injection into the muscle (such as bicep or thigh).
   
   Aminoglycosides are used to treat a variety of infections, including endocarditis, cellulitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, meningitis, pyelonephritis, severe urinary tract infections, and many other infections. These drugs work by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Examples of aminoglycosides include gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin.
   
   Although these drugs are important agents and often are "life-saving" they must be closely monitored due to the potential for serious toxicity. It is important to inform your doctor immediately if any of the following symptoms are noticed while taking an aminoglycoside: difficulty hearing, dizziness, increased thirst, loss of balance, muscle weakness, nausea, pain or difficulty passing urine, or ringing in the ears. In particular, these compounds can be toxic to components of the nervous system, kidneys and ears.

Glycopeptides

Currently, there is only one drug in this class of antibacterials: Vancomycin (Vancocin). Intravenous Vancomycin is used to treat a variety of severe infections, such as penicillin-resistant pneumonia, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - a serious bacterial infection that is extremely difficult to treat, and other serious infections.

Vancomycin is also available orally, but the oral form of the drug is not absorbed well. Because it remains largely in the gut, Vancomycin is one of two antibiotics used to treat pseudomembranous colitis, an inflammation of the large and small intestine caused by the effects of other antibiotics.

The most common side effects of oral vancomycin are nausea and vomiting.

Intravenous vancomycin is given primarily under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. Common side effects from the IV include nausea, vomiting, and pain at the injection site.

Streptogrammins

This is the newest class of antibiotics on the market. Currently, there is only one drug in this class of antibacterials: the combination drug Quinupristin/Dalfopristin (Synercid).

Synercid was specifically designed to treat infections that Vancomycin is unable to treat. For example, Synercid was designed to treat vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), a life-threatening, hospital-acquired infection. Synercid is currently reserved for severe infections, and is available only as an IV.

Side effects of Antibiotics

Some of the more common side effects of Antibiotics may include:

• Soft stools or diarrhea
• Mild stomach upset
• You should notify your doctor if you have any of the following side effects:
• Vomiting
• Severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps
• Allergic reaction (shortness of breath, hives, swelling of your lips, face, or tongue, fainting)
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• White patches on your tongue.

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III. Useful links

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.fda.gov/

http://www.fda.gov/cder/ogd/

http://www.nih.gov/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/

National Library of Medicine

World Health Organization

http://www.mayoclinic.com/index.cfm

MedicineNet.com

Drugdigest.org

Healthsquare.com

http://www.augmentin.com

http://www.gsk.com/about/about.htm

http://www.drugs.com/augmentin.html

www.antibiotic.org

Pharmacy sites

http://www.roche.com/home/company/com_hist.htm

http://www.healthdigest.org/Bactrim-DS(Oral)_2006_PRO.php

http://www.hsforum.com/stories/storyReader$1509

http://www.hsforum.com/stories/storyReader$1504

http://www.people.vcu.edu/~urdesai/atc.htm#Process%20of%20clotting

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