Ospamox – composition, action, dosage, indications, side effects

Proven content

Ospamox is a β-lactam antibiotic available in stationary pharmacies only on prescription. It is used primarily in the treatment of gastroenterological, pulmonary and urological diseases. The main ingredient of Ospamox is amoxicillin. How does Ospamox work and when is it worth using? What are the contraindications to its use? Can its use cause side effects in a patient? How much does this antibiotic cost and is it reimbursed?

Ospamox – general characteristics of the drug

Ospamox is a drug from the group of antibiotics, the active substance of which is amoxicillin. This antibiotic has a very broad spectrum of activity and is used to treat bacterial infections. It is most often used in gastrology, pulmonology and urology. Ospamox is prescribed by a doctor and can only be purchased at the pharmacy on presentation of a valid prescription.

Various forms of Ospamox are available in pharmacies, including:

1. powder for oral suspension 250 mg / 5 ml;
2. powder for oral suspension 500 mg / 5 ml;
3. 500 mg coated tablets – 16 or 20 tablets in the package;
4. 750 mg coated tablets – 16 or 20 tablets in the package;
5. 1000 mg coated tablets – 16 or 20 tablets in the package.

Ospamox in tablets are white to cream, film-coated tablets, oblong, convex on both sides, with a score on both sides. The size of the tablet depends on the content of the active substance:

1. Ospamox 500 mg – tablets with dimensions of 8 × 18 mm;
2. Ospamox 750 mg – tablets with dimensions of 9 × 20 mm;
3. Ospamox 1000 mg – tablets with dimensions of 10 × 22 mm.

Ospamox powder for oral suspension is a white to slightly yellowish powder with a fruity odor. The powder for oral suspension is packaged in amber glass bottles of 60 ml or 100 ml capacity with a push-and-twist screw cap and protective foil.

Sandoz GmbH is responsible for the production and distribution of Ospamox.

What is worth knowing about antibiotics, their use and action? Check: Antibiotics – types, action, use and side effects [EXPLAIN]

Ospamox – composition and action of the drug

Ospamox is a beta-lactam antibiotic whose active ingredient is amoxicillin. Each film-coated tablet contains 500, 750 or 1000 mg of amoxicillin as amoxicillin trihydrate. Whereas each 5 ml of reconstituted oral suspension contains 250 mg or 500 mg of amoxicillin as amoxicillin trihydrate.

Amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic penicillin that exhibits a fairly broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. This compound is classified as beta-lactam antibiotics, which indicates the presence of a characteristic beta-lactam ring in the molecule. The structure of this ring is influenced by enzymes from the group of beta-lactamases, which are produced by some bacteria. Selected beta-lactazams that are present in bacterial cells affect the decomposition and inactivation of antibiotic molecules, which turns out to be one of the reasons for the resistance of given bacteria to the action of beta-lactam antibiotics.

The action of beta-lactam antibiotics is to inhibit the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, which in turn causes its weakening, and then the death of the bacterial cell. This means that Ospamox is there bactericidal antibiotic.

After oral administration, amoxicillin is very well and quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, regardless of the consumed meals and the type of diet. It is resistant to gastric juice. The biological half-life is approximately one hour. In renal failure, it extends to 12-16 hours. Most of the dose is eliminated via the kidneys within 6 hours, mostly unchanged.

In addition to the active substance, auxiliary substances are used in the production of Ospamox. The correct composition of this preparation depends on the selected form of the drug.

Excipients of the drug Ospamox in coated tablets is magnesium stearate, polyvidone (K 25), sodium carboxymethyl starch, microcrystalline cellulose; shell: titanium dioxide, talc and methylhydroxypropyl cellulose.

Sexcipients of Ospamox powder for suspension is citric anhydrous acid, sodium benzoate, aspartame, talc, anhydrous sodium citrate, guar, precipitated silica, lemon flavor (contains glucose, sorbitol (E 420), sulfur dioxide (E 220)), peach-apricot flavor (contains benzyl benzoate, ethanol, sorbitol (E 420), sulfur dioxide (E 220)) and orange flavor (contains benzyl alcohol).

What is amoxicillin and what is its use? Check: Amoxicillin

Ospamox – indications for the use of the drug

Ospamox is a preparation that is used in cases of bacterial infections. Your doctor may recommend this medication, especially in the treatment of conditions such as:

1. acute bacterial sinusitis;
2. acute otitis media;
3. acute streptococcal tonsillitis and pharyngitis;
4. exacerbation of chronic bronchitis;
5. community acquired pneumonia;
6. acute cystitis;
7. asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy;
8. acute pyelonephritis;
9. typhoid and paratyphoid fever;
10. periodontal abscess with spreading cellulitis;
11. infections associated with the prosthesis of joints;
12. eradykacja Helicobacter pylori;
13. Lyme disease.

Ospamox is also indicated for the prophylaxis of endocarditis.

What are the most common bacterial diseases? Check: The most common bacterial diseases – overview and characteristics

Ospamox – contraindications to the use of the drug

The drug Ospamox, despite its effectiveness in the treatment of bacterial infections, cannot be used by every patient struggling with this type of ailments.

Contraindications to the use of Ospamox are:

1. hypersensitivity to the active substance, to any of the penicillins or to any of the excipients;
2. history of anaphylaxis, a severe immediate hypersensitivity reaction to another beta-lactam drug, e.g. a cephalosporin, carbapen or monobactam.

If these circumstances apply to you, you should not take the antibiotic Ospamox. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

What should you know about drug hypersensitivity? Check: Drugs are also allergenic

Ospamox – precautions

Before and during the use of Ospamox, follow the precautions included in the package leaflet.

Precautions to keep in mind include:

1. possible occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions;
2. amoxicillin is not always suitable for some types of infections, unless the pathogen is identified and known to be susceptible, or it is suspected that the most likely pathogen will respond to treatment with this substance;
3. in patients with impaired renal function, dose adjustment may be necessary;
4. long-term use may cause excessive growth of non-susceptible microorganisms;
5. Antibiotic-associated colitis has been reported with the use of most antibacterial agents, ranging in severity from mild to life-threatening;
6. amoxicillin may interfere with laboratory tests for the levels of oestradiol in the blood of pregnant women;
7. during long-term treatment, the function of internal organs, including kidneys, liver and the haematopoietic system should be monitored. Increased liver enzymes and changes in blood counts have been observed.

In addition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Ospamox if you:

1. suffers from infectious mononucleosis;
2. has kidney disease;
3. urinates irregularly. 

It is also worth remembering that if the patient is to have:

1. urine test – to detect glucose;
2. blood test – to assess liver function;
3. estradiol concentration test – performed during pregnancy to check if the baby is developing properly, 

Always tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Ospamox as it may affect the results of these tests.

What are the symptoms of mononucleosis in children? Check: Mononucleosis in children – symptoms, treatment

Ospamox – dosage and method of application

Always use the antibiotic Ospamox exactly as described in the package leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Specifying correct dose of Ospamox the treatment of individual infections should take into account:

1. anticipated pathogens and their possible sensitivity to antibacterial drugs;
2. the severity and location of the infection;
3. the age, weight and renal function of the patient.

The duration of treatment is determined by the type of infection and the patient’s response to treatment. It should be as short as possible, but some infections require longer treatment.

Ospamox film-coated tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. The tablets should not be crushed or chewed. The doses of the drug should be taken at regular intervals throughout the day, with at least 4 hours apart.

If you are using Ospamox powder for oral suspension, first shake the bottle slightly to loosen the powder. Pour boiled, cool water into the bottle to a level slightly below the mark, screw the bottle back on and shake. After the foam has fallen, slowly add water exactly to the line marked on the bottle. Shake vigorously again. The white or cream-colored suspension obtained in this way is ready for use. Before each use, the suspension should be shaken vigorously.

Correct dosage of Ospamox for children weighing less than 40 kg:

1. all doses are worked out depending on the child’s body weight in kilograms;
2. the attending physician will prescribe the dose to be given to the child;
3. the usual dose is 40 mg to 90 mg for every kilogram of body weight a day, given in two or three divided doses;
4. the maximum recommended dose is 100 mg for each kilogram of body weight a day.

Adults, the elderly and children weighing 40 kg or more usually take a dose of Ospamox as high as 250 mg to 500 mg three times a day or 750 mg do 1 g every 12 hours depending on the severity and type of infection.

It is worth mentioning that the correct dose of the drug varies depending on the condition being treated:

1. severe infections – 750 mg to 1 g three times a day;
2. urinary tract infections – 3 g twice daily for one day;
3. Lyme disease, i.e. Lyme disease – single migratory erythema (early stage – pink-red erythema): 4 g per day. Systemic symptoms (late stage – more severe symptoms or when the disease affects many organs) up to 6 g per day;
4. stomach ulcers – 750 mg or 1 g twice a day for 7 days in combination with other antibiotics and medicines to treat stomach ulcers;
5. prevention of endocarditis during surgery – the dose will vary depending on the type of surgery. Other medications may be administered at the same time. Ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse for more information;

The maximum recommended dose is 6 g daily.

What are the consequences of overusing antibiotics? Check: Overuse of antibiotics reduces their effectiveness

Ospamox – misuse of the drug

Taking more than the recommended dose of the drug or omitting the indicated dose during the day is considered inappropriate use of Ospamox.

If the patient has taken higher dose of the antibiotic Ospamox than recommended, gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea may occur. There may also be crystals of amoxicillin in the urine which are perceived as cloudy urine or difficult to pass urine. See your doctor as soon as possible. Take Ospamox with you to show the doctor.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. However, do not take the next dose too soon, but wait about 4 hours for it. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Thrush, or candidiasis, may occur if you use Ospamox for a long time. This is a yeast infection of the mucous membranes, causing local pain, itching and white discharge. In this case, please consult your doctor.

How to take medication correctly? Check: How to take medications effectively?

Ospamox – side effects

The drug Ospamox, like any other drug, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

If you experience any of the serious side effects listed below, stop taking Ospamox and contact your doctor immediately, as you may need urgent medical attention.

Very rare side effects after taking Ospamox (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

1. allergic reactions – rash, itchy skin, swelling of the entire body or face, lips, tongue and difficulty breathing;
2. inflammation of the blood vessels due to an allergic reaction – rash or pinpoint flat red round spots under the skin surface or a blueish skin, which may be symptoms of blood vessel inflammation due to an allergic reaction; may occur with joint pain (arthritis) and impaired kidney function;
3. late-type allergic reaction – usually appears 7-12 days after taking an antibiotic, and its symptoms include: fever, rash, joint pain, enlarged lymph nodes (especially in the armpits);
4. erythema multiforme – a skin reaction with red-purple, itchy eruptions (especially on the skin of the hands or soles of the feet), swelling of the skin (hives-like), sensitivity to touch in the mouth, eyes and genitals. There may also be elevated temperature and severe fatigue;
5. other severe skin reactions – such as lumps under the skin, change in skin tone, redness, spots, blisters, peeling of the skin, pain, itching and peeling of the skin. Symptoms may be accompanied by headaches, body aches and fever;
6. flu-like symptomsassociated with swollen lymph nodes, fever, rash, blood test abnormalities, or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS);
7. blood cell disorders – they are signaled by easier than usual bruising, increased temperature, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of infection;
8. Colitis – the symptoms are diarrhea (also with blood), fever and pain;
9. severe liver side effects – may be manifested by yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), mostly in elderly patients, men and long-term users of the drug;
10. Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction – affects patients suffering from Lyme disease, with symptoms like headache and muscle pain, skin rash, fever and chills;
11. meningitis.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:

1. severe diarrhea combined with bleeding;
2. skin blisters, redness or bruising;
3. dark urine or discolored stools;
4. yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice)

Less severe skin reactions also occur uncommonly after the use of Ospamox:

1. round, pink-red, slightly itchy rash;
2. hives-like swelling on the forearms, arms, hands, legs or feet.

Other possible side effects that occur after the use of the antibiotic Ospamox are divided into common, uncommon and rare.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

1. rash;
2. nausea;
3. diarrhea.

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

1. vomiting.

Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

1. thrush – a yeast infection of the vagina, mouth or skin folds;
2. renal dysfunction;
3. seizures – seen in patients receiving high doses or in patients with impaired renal function;
4. dizziness;
5. excessive activity;
6. crystals in the urine, visible as cloudy urine or difficulty or discomfort passing urine;
7. change in color of the tongue to yellow, brown or black – the tongue may appear hairy;
8. excessive breakdown of red blood cells, causing anemia;
9. decrease in the number of white blood cells;
10. decrease in the number of cells involved in blood clotting (platelets);
11. increase in blood clotting time – may be seen if you bleed from your nose or cut.

What causes an antibiotic rash? Read on: Antibiotic rash – is it an allergy symptom?

Ospamox – interactions with other drugs

Before starting treatment with Ospamox, please inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking or have recently taken. You should also inform what medications the patient plans to take in the near future.

This applies in particular to drugs such as:

1. probencyd;
2. allopurinol – can increase the likelihood of allergic skin reactions;
3. tetracyclines – may interfere with the bactericidal effects of amoxicillin;
4. Oral anticoagulants – if concomitant use is necessary, close monitoring of the prothrombin time or INR should be performed following initiation or termination of amoxicillin. In addition, the dose of oral anticoagulants may need to be adjusted;
5. methotrexate – penicillins may increase its toxicity.

Which drugs should never be combined with each other? Check: Dangerous interactions

Ospamox and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Ospamox.

Amoxicillin passes into the milk in small amountswhich may constitute a risk of sensitization in the infant. Diarrhea and fungal infection of the mucous membranes may occur in a breastfed baby. The doctor decides whether to use Ospamox during breastfeeding, individually weighing the risk for the child against the benefit for the mother.

What is worth knowing about proper supplementation during pregnancy? Check: Conscious choices. Diet and supplementation in pregnancy

Ospamox — cena

The price of Ospamox may vary depending on the city in which the antibiotic is purchased or the pharmacy chosen by the patient. The price of the product also depends on the content of the active substance and the number of tablets contained in the packaging or the capacity of the powder bottle.

Dinner at Ospamox:

1. Ospamox 1000 mg, 16 tablets – PLN 13-14. After reimbursement, the price of the drug is 3,20;
2. Ospamox 1000 mg, 20 tablets – PLN 17-18. After reimbursement, the price of the drug is 3,20;
3. Ospamox 750 mg, 16 tablets – PLN 10-11. After reimbursement, the price of the drug is 3,80;
4. Ospamox 750 mg, 20 tablets – PLN 13-14. After reimbursement, the price of the drug is 3,89;
5. Ospamox 500 mg, 16 tablets – PLN 7-8. After reimbursement, the price of the drug is 3,82;
6. Ospamox 500 mg, 20 tablets – PLN 9-10. After reimbursement, the price of the drug is 3,82;
7. Ospamox 0,5 g / 5 ml powder for oral suspension, 100 ml – PLN 25-26. After reimbursement, the price of the drug is: 3,20;
8. Ospamox 0,5 g / 5 ml powder for oral suspension, 60 ml – PLN 16-17. After reimbursement, the price of the drug is: 3,99;
9. Ospamox 0,25 g / 5 ml powder for oral suspension, 6,6 g – 6-7 zlotys.

How much money does the average Pole spend on treatment? Check: The Pole is not expected to see a doctor

Ospamox – substitutes

Products that have the same international name and exist in the same form do not have to be substitutes, because the use of a given drug is determined by the content of the active substance, i.e. the dose of the drug.

It should be remembered that even when the dose of the active substance is similar, the patient may not always use the substitute, because he may be allergic to any of the other excipients of the drug.

Therefore, before using a substitute for Ospamox, read the package leaflet or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The preparations containing the same ingredient as Ospamox and showing similar properties include:

1. Amotaks – granules for oral suspension;
2. Amotaks – hard capsules;
3. Amotaks – tablets;
4. Amotaks Dis – tablets;
5. Amoxicillin Aurovitas – tablets for oral suspension;
6. Duomox — tabletki;
7. Hiconcil – capsules;
8. Hiconcil – powder for the preparation of the suspension.

When is it worth asking the pharmacy about drug substitutes? Check: Swap when you can