A pilot study of 'Augmentin' in lower respiratory tract infections: pharmacokinetic and clinical results.

Thirteen patients with a mean age of 67 years admitted to hospital with signs and symptoms of lower respiratory infections were treated with 'Augmentin' (500 mg amoxycillin + 250 mg clavulanic acid) given orally every 8 hours, for 7 days. The clinical response was 'good' in ten cases and one 'failed'. Two patients could not be assessed. Side-effects were not serious: only one patient had to stop treatment (due to diarrhoea). The pharmacokinetic results show that peak levels of amoxycillin and of clavulanic acid in the blood and in sputum are achieved at a later time in the patients studied than occurs in healthy volunteers.