AMOXICILLIN CLAVULANIC ACID - A REVIEW OF ITS EFFICACY IN OVER 38,500PATIENTS FROM 1979 TO 1992

A review of the published literature detailing the clinical use of amo xycillin/clavulanic acid spanning the period 1979 to 1992 was undertak en to assess the clinical efficacy of the product and to determine whe ther any changes had occurred during this time. In the 415 publication s meeting the selection criteria a total of over 38,500 patients were treated with amoxycillin/clavulanic acid. Analysis of the data confirm s the efficacy of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid over a wide range of cli nical indications and annual and triennial groupings of publications s uggests that there has been little change in the clinical effectivenes s of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid. Clinical efficacy rates (cure or imp roved) with amoxycallin/clavulanic acid were 88% and 92% in comparativ e and uncontrolled trials, respectively. Gastro-intestinal side effect s are the most common adverse event but have been relatively infrequen t. Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid should continue to be a useful antibiot ic for upper and lower respiratory tract infections, skin structure in fections, dental, head and neck infections, and selected urinary tract infections.