RECENT MAJOR CHANGES

Warnings and Precautions (5) 8/2022

14 CLINICAL STUDIES

14.1 Lower Respiratory Tract and Complicated Urinary Tract Infections

Data from 2 pivotal trials in 1,191 patients treated for either lower respiratory tract infections or complicated urinary tract infections compared a regimen of 875 mg/125 mg tablets of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets every 12 hours to 500 mg/125 mg tablets of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets dosed every 8 hours (584 and 607 patients, respectively). Comparable efficacy was demonstrated between the every 12 hours and every 8 hours dosing regimens. There was no significant difference in the percentage of adverse events in each group. The most frequently reported adverse event was diarrhea; incidence rates were similar for the 875 mg every 12 hours and 500 mg every 8 hours dosing regimens (15% and 14%, respectively); however, there was a statistically significant difference (p less than 0.05) in rates of severe diarrhea or withdrawals with diarrhea between the regimens: 1% for 875 mg every 12 hours regimen versus 2% for the 500 mg every 8 hours regimen.

In one of these pivotal trials, patients with either pyelonephritis (n equals 361) or a complicated urinary tract infection (i.e., patients with abnormalities of the urinary tract that predispose to relapse of bacteriuria following eradication, n equals 268) were randomized (1:1) to receive either 875 mg/125 mg tablets of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets every 12 hours (n equals 308) or 500 mg/125 mg tablets of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets every 8 hours (n equals 321).

The number of bacteriologically evaluable patients was comparable between the two dosing regimens. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets produced comparable bacteriological success rates in patients assessed 2 to 4 days immediately following end of therapy. The bacteriologic efficacy rates were comparable at one of the follow–up visits (5 to 9 days post–therapy) and at a late post–therapy visit (in the majority of cases, this was 2 to 4 weeks post–therapy), as seen in Table 8.

As noted, before, though there was no significant difference in the percentage of adverse events in each group, there was a statistically significant difference in rates of severe diarrhea or withdrawals with diarrhea between the regimens.

14.2 Acute Bacterial Otitis Media and Diarrhea in Pediatric Patients

One U.S./Canadian clinical trial was conducted which compared 45/6.4 mg/kg/day (divided every 12 hours) of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension for 10 days versus 40/10 mg/kg/day (divided every 8 hours) of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension for 10 days in the treatment of acute otitis media. Only the suspension formulations were used in this trial. A total of 575 pediatric patients (aged 2 months to 12 years) were enrolled, with an even distribution among the 2 treatment groups and a comparable number of patients were evaluable (i.e., greater than or equal to 84%) per treatment group. Otitis media–specific criteria were required for eligibility and a strong correlation was found at the end of therapy and follow–up between these criteria and physician assessment of clinical response. The clinical efficacy rates at the end of therapy visit (defined as 2 to 4 days after the completion of therapy) and at the follow–up visit (defined as 22 to 28 days post–completion of therapy) were comparable for the 2 treatment groups, with the following cure rates obtained for the evaluable patients: At end of therapy, 87% (n equals 265) and 82% (n equals 260) for 45 mg/kg/day every 12 hours and 40 mg/kg/day every 8 hours, respectively. At follow–up, 67% (n equals 249) and 69% (n equals 243) for 45 mg/kg/day every 12 hours and 40 mg/kg/day every 8 hours, respectively.

Diarrhea was defined as either: (a) 3 or more watery or 4 or more loose/watery stools in 1 day; OR (b) 2 watery stools per day or 3 loose/watery stools per day for 2 consecutive days. The incidence of diarrhea was significantly lower in patients who received the every 12 hours regimen compared to patients who received the every 8 hours regimen (14% and 34%, respectively). In addition, the number of patients with either severe diarrhea or who were withdrawn with diarrhea was significantly lower in the every 12 hours treatment group (3% and 8% for the every 12 hours/10 day and every 8 hours/10 day, respectively). In the every 12 hours treatment group, 3 patients (1%) were withdrawn with an allergic reaction, while 1 patient in the every 8 hours group was withdrawn for this reason. The number of patients with a candidal infection of the diaper area was 4% and 6% for the every 12 hours and every 8 hours groups, respectively.

It is not known if the finding of a statistically significant reduction in diarrhea with the oral suspensions dosed every 12 hours, versus suspensions dosed every 8 hours of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets, can be extrapolated to the chewable tablets of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets. The presence of mannitol in the chewable tablets of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets may contribute to a different diarrhea profile. The every 12 hour oral suspensions (200 mg/28.5 mg per 5 mL and 400 mg/57 mg per 5 mL) of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets are sweetened with aspartame.

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

Administration Instructions

Inform patients that amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension, and amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets (chewable) may be taken every 8 hours or every 12 hours, depending on the dose prescribed. Each dose should be taken with a meal or snack to reduce the possibility of gastrointestinal upset.

Allergic Reactions

Counsel patients that amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension, and amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets (chewable) contain a penicillin class drug product that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR)

Advise patients about the signs and symptoms of serious skin manifestations. Instruct patients to stop taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension, and amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets (chewable) immediately and promptly report the first signs or symptoms of skin rash, mucosal lesions, or any other sign of hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Diarrhea

Counsel patients that diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibacterials, and it usually ends when the antibacterial is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibacterials, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as 2 or more months after having taken their last dose of the antibacterial. If diarrhea is severe or lasts more than 2 or 3 days, patients should contact their physician as soon as possible.

Antibacterial Resistance

Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs, including amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension, and amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets (chewable), should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold).

When amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension, and amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets (chewable) are prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may: (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment, and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium for oral suspension, and amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets (chewable) or other antibacterial drugs in the future.

Storage Instructions

Advise patients to keep suspension refrigerated. Shake well before using. When dosing a child with the suspension (liquid) of amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium, use a calibrated oral syringe. Be sure to rinse the calibrated oral syringe after each use. Bottles of suspension of amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium may contain more liquid than required. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the amount to use and the days of treatment your child requires. Discard any unused medicine.

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Manufactured In Canada By:
Teva Canada Limited
****Toronto, Canada M1B 2K9

Manufactured For:
Teva Pharmaceuticals
****Parsippany, NJ 07054

Rev. E 3/2023