How does Augmentin work?
Amoxicillin blocks the formation of bacterial cell walls, rendering bacteria unable to multiply and spread. The bacteria therefore break up and die. Clavulanate enhances the effectiveness of amoxicillin by inhibiting the activity of a specific enzyme (beta-lactamase) produced by certain drug-resistant strains of bacteria. The formulation of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in Augmentin protects amoxicillin from degradation by beta-lactamase enzymes and effectively extends the antibiotic spectrum of amoxicillin to include many bacteria normally resistant to amoxicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics. Thus, Augmentin possesses the properties of a broad-spectrum antibiotic and a beta-lactamase inhibitor.
