Ranclav is a prescription antibiotic containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. It is used for bacterial infections of the chest, sinuses, ears, urinary tract, skin and teeth — particularly where ordinary amoxicillin has failed or resistance is likely. It comes as tablets and suspensions, and does nothing for colds or flu.
What is Ranclav?
Ranclav contains amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, and is Schedule 4 — prescription-only. It is registered in South Africa in several presentations:
| Product | Contains |
|---|---|
| Ranclav suspension | Amoxicillin 125 mg/5 ml (paediatric) |
| Ranclav forte suspension | Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 ml + clavulanic acid 62.5 mg/5 ml |
| Ranclav tablet | Amoxicillin 250 mg + clavulanic acid 125 mg |
| Ranclav 625 | Amoxicillin 500 mg + clavulanic acid 125 mg |
| Ranclav 1 g | Amoxicillin 875 mg + clavulanic acid 125 mg |
This combination is often called co-amoxiclav, and equivalents include Augmentin and other generics. The numbers on the pack — 625, 1 g — refer to the combined weight of both ingredients, which is why “Ranclav 625” contains 500 mg of amoxicillin rather than 625 mg.
Only one of the two ingredients is an antibiotic. Amoxicillin is a penicillin that kills bacteria by preventing them from building their cell walls. Clavulanic acid has almost no antibacterial activity of its own.
Its job is to solve a specific problem. Many bacteria have learned to produce beta-lactamase, an enzyme that destroys penicillins before they can work — the most common reason plain amoxicillin fails. Clavulanic acid binds to and disables that enzyme, acting as a shield so the amoxicillin survives long enough to do its job.
That is the whole reason this combination exists: it restores amoxicillin’s effectiveness against bacteria that would otherwise resist it. It also explains the main trade-off — clavulanic acid is responsible for much of the diarrhoea and stomach upset associated with this medicine.
What is Ranclav commonly used for?
A doctor may prescribe it for:
- Chest infections, including some pneumonia and infective exacerbations of COPD.
- Sinusitis, where symptoms are persistent, severe or worsening after initial improvement.
- Middle ear infections, particularly in children who have not responded to amoxicillin.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Skin and soft-tissue infections, including infected bites — a classic use, as bite wounds carry mixed bacteria this combination covers well.
- Dental infections and abscesses, alongside dental treatment.
- Bone and joint infections, in some cases.
It has no effect on viruses. Colds, flu, most sore throats, most coughs and most cases of bronchitis are viral, and an antibiotic will neither shorten them nor prevent complications.
Co-amoxiclav is broader-spectrum than plain amoxicillin, which is an advantage when the likely organism is resistant and a disadvantage otherwise — broader antibiotics disturb more of the body’s normal bacteria and drive more resistance. It is reserved rather than first-line for that reason.
How Ranclav fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Typical role |
|---|---|---|
| Penicillins | Amoxicillin, flucloxacillin | Common first-line choices |
| Penicillin + inhibitor | Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Ranclav) | Where beta-lactamase resistance is likely |
| Macrolides | Azithromycin | Chest infections, penicillin allergy |
| Fluoroquinolones | Ciprofloxacin | Urinary, gut and bone infections; reserved |
| Nitroimidazoles | Metronidazole | Anaerobic and some parasitic infections |
| Tetracyclines | Doxycycline | Chest, skin, tick-borne infections |
Which is right depends on the organism, the site, local resistance and your history — a prescriber’s decision. See the antibiotics and antimicrobials hub.
What to check before using Ranclav
Tell your doctor about any penicillin allergy before you start. This is the most important check. A previous rash, swelling or breathing difficulty on amoxicillin, penicillin or a related antibiotic must be known about, because Ranclav is a penicillin and the reaction can be severe.
Complete the full course, even once you feel better. Stopping early can allow the infection to return and encourages resistant bacteria.
Take it with food or at the start of a meal. This meaningfully reduces the stomach upset and diarrhoea that clavulanic acid causes, and improves absorption.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- Have had any reaction to a penicillin or cephalosporin.
- Have had jaundice or liver problems on co-amoxiclav before. This is a specific contraindication — the liver reaction can recur more severely.
- Have liver or kidney disease.
- Have glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis). Amoxicillin commonly causes a widespread rash in this situation, and it is usually avoided.
- Take warfarin, as co-amoxiclav can increase its effect.
- Take methotrexate or allopurinol.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Use the combined oral contraceptive pill. Antibiotics do not generally reduce its effectiveness, but severe vomiting or diarrhoea can — ask a pharmacist.
Shake suspensions well before each dose, use the measuring device supplied rather than a kitchen spoon, and check storage — most reconstituted suspensions must be refrigerated and discarded after a set number of days.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
The most common effects are diarrhoea, nausea, stomach upset and thrush (oral or vaginal). Diarrhoea is notably more common than with plain amoxicillin, because of the clavulanic acid.
Stop and seek medical attention urgently if you develop:
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a widespread hives-like rash — signs of a serious allergic reaction. Call emergency services.
- Any rash, which should be assessed rather than ignored.
- Blistering or peeling skin, or sores in the mouth or eyes.
- Severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea, during or in the weeks after the course. This may indicate a C. difficile infection, and anti-diarrhoeal medicines such as loperamide should not be used in that situation.
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools, or itching — possible liver reaction. This can appear up to several weeks after finishing the course.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Much less urine than usual.
Contact your doctor if you are no better after two to three days of treatment, or if symptoms worsen at any point — the organism may not be susceptible.
Take doses at evenly spaced intervals, and do not use antibiotics left over from a previous illness or prescribed for someone else. Doing so risks the wrong antibiotic, an insufficient course, and further resistance.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Antibiotics, Antifungals & Antimicrobials guides
- Read: Azrotrin used for
- Read: Metronidazole used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Ranclav used for? Bacterial infections of the chest, sinuses, ears, urinary tract, skin and teeth, particularly where resistance to plain amoxicillin is likely. It is prescription-only.
What is Ranclav 625 used for? The tablet containing amoxicillin 500 mg with clavulanic acid 125 mg — a common adult strength for the infections above. The 625 refers to the two ingredients combined.
What is Ranclav 1 g used for? The higher strength, amoxicillin 875 mg with clavulanic acid 125 mg, used for more significant infections or where a higher dose is needed.
Is Ranclav the same as Augmentin? Both contain amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. The manufacturer differs; the combination is the same.
Will it help flu or a cold? No. Those are viral, and antibiotics have no effect on them.
Why does it upset my stomach? Mostly the clavulanic acid. Taking it with food or at the start of a meal reduces this considerably.
Can I stop when I feel better? No. Finish the prescribed course unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
What if I get a rash? Contact your doctor. A rash needs assessing, and swelling or breathing difficulty is an emergency.