Austell-Co-Amoxiclav is amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid — a broader-spectrum antibiotic than plain amoxicillin, used for chest, sinus, ear, urinary, dental and skin infections that ordinary penicillins no longer clear. The clavulanic acid is not a second antibiotic; it is there to stop bacteria destroying the first one.
What is Austell Co Amoxiclav?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists Austell-Co-Amoxiclav as Schedule 4 tablets containing amoxicillin with potassium clavulanate, in 250 mg and 500 mg amoxicillin strengths.
The names people search for — 625 mg and 375 mg — are the combined totals:
| Common name | Amoxicillin | Clavulanic acid |
|---|---|---|
| Co-amoxiclav 375 mg | 250 mg | 125 mg |
| Co-amoxiclav 625 mg | 500 mg | 125 mg |
The clavulanic acid stays at 125 mg in both. Only the amoxicillin changes. This matters practically: two 375 mg tablets are not the same as one 625 mg tablet — you would be taking twice the clavulanic acid, which is the component responsible for most of the diarrhoea. Never substitute strengths yourself.
Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic. It stops bacteria building their cell walls, so they burst as they try to divide.
Clavulanic acid has almost no antibiotic activity of its own. Many bacteria have learned to produce an enzyme, beta-lactamase, that chops the penicillin ring apart before it can work. Clavulanic acid is a decoy: it binds and disables that enzyme, letting the amoxicillin do its job. This is why co-amoxiclav works against infections where plain amoxicillin has failed.
“Austell” is the manufacturer, a South African generic company. Co-amoxiclav is also sold as Augmentin, Ranclav, Curam and others. Being dispensed a different brand from last time is routine generic substitution — the medicine is the same.
What is Austell Co Amoxiclav commonly used for?
It is prescribed for bacterial infections likely to involve beta-lactamase-producing organisms:
- Chest infections — bronchitis with a bacterial cause, and community-acquired pneumonia.
- Sinusitis, where symptoms are severe or have persisted well beyond the usual course of a viral infection.
- Middle ear infection (otitis media), particularly in children who have not responded to amoxicillin alone.
- Urinary tract infections, including some kidney infections.
- Dental infections and abscesses — a common use, though an abscess usually also needs drainage or dental treatment.
- Skin and soft tissue infections, including infected wounds and cellulitis.
- Animal and human bites, where it is a first-choice treatment because of the mix of organisms involved.
It does nothing for viral infections. Colds, flu and most sore throats and coughs are viral. An antibiotic will not shorten them, will not prevent a chest infection, and carries real cost — side effects for you, and resistance for everyone.
Finish the course as prescribed. Feeling better after three days means the antibiotic is working, not that the infection has gone. Stopping early is one of the main drivers of resistant bacteria.
How Austell Co Amoxiclav fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Penicillins | Amoxicillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin | Common first-line infections |
| Penicillin + inhibitor | Co-amoxiclav (Austell-Co-Amoxiclav) | Broader cover where resistance is likely |
| Macrolides | Azithromycin, erythromycin | Chest infections; penicillin allergy |
| Cephalosporins | Cefuroxime, ceftriaxone | Broad cover, often in hospital |
| Nitroimidazoles | Metronidazole | Anaerobic and dental infections |
| Tetracyclines | Doxycycline | Chest, skin, tick-bite fever |
| Quinolones | Ciprofloxacin | Reserved; significant side effects |
Co-amoxiclav is a step up, not a default. Because it is broader, it disturbs normal gut bacteria more and drives resistance faster than a narrow antibiotic. Good prescribing keeps it for infections that need it.
See the antibiotics and antimicrobials hub.
What to check before using Austell Co Amoxiclav
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any penicillin allergy. This is the single most important check. Co-amoxiclav is a penicillin, and someone allergic to amoxicillin, ampicillin or penicillin must not take it. If a previous reaction involved a rash with breathing difficulty, facial swelling, or collapse, say so clearly — a different class is needed.
A rash after amoxicillin is not always allergy. In glandular fever, amoxicillin causes a widespread rash in most people without being an allergy — but it needs a doctor’s assessment, not your own judgement.
Also mention if you:
- Have had jaundice or liver problems after co-amoxiclav or any antibiotic before. This is a specific contraindication — the clavulanic acid can cause liver injury, sometimes appearing weeks after the course finished.
- Have kidney disease, where the dose may need adjusting.
- Have liver disease.
- Take warfarin. Co-amoxiclav can raise INR and increase bleeding risk.
- Take allopurinol, which raises the chance of a rash.
- Take methotrexate, whose levels can rise.
- Take the oral contraceptive pill. The interaction is weaker than once thought, but if you have vomiting or diarrhoea while taking it, use additional contraception.
- Have glandular fever, or any illness with a sore throat and swollen glands.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding. Generally considered acceptable, but confirm.
Practical points:
- Take it with food or at the start of a meal. This substantially reduces the stomach upset and diarrhoea, which is the main reason people stop.
- Space the doses evenly across the day.
- Complete the course.
- Do not take leftover antibiotics from a previous illness, or someone else’s.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
The commonest effects are diarrhoea, nausea, stomach upset and thrush — vaginal or oral. Diarrhoea is notably more common than with plain amoxicillin, because of the clavulanic acid. Taking each dose with food helps considerably.
Seek medical advice promptly for:
- A rash, itching or hives — stop and get advice before the next dose.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, or persistent upper abdominal pain. These suggest liver injury, and can appear during the course or up to several weeks after it finished. Mention the antibiotic even if the course is long over.
- Severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea, especially with fever or cramps, during or after the course. This may be Clostridioides difficile infection and needs treatment. Do not simply take an anti-diarrhoeal.
- A widespread blistering rash, peeling skin, or a rash with fever and swollen glands — get emergency help.
- Reduced urine output or blood in the urine.
- Bruising or bleeding more easily, particularly on warfarin.
Get emergency help for swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat, dizziness or collapse.
Contact your doctor if you are no better after two to three days, if you feel worse, if the fever climbs, or if new symptoms appear — the organism may be resistant or the diagnosis may need revisiting. Also let them know if side effects are stopping you completing the course, so an alternative can be arranged rather than the course being abandoned.
Related medicine guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Austell Co-Amoxiclav 625 mg used for? Bacterial infections including chest, sinus, ear, urinary, dental, skin and bite infections. It contains amoxicillin 500 mg with clavulanic acid 125 mg.
What is Austell Co-Amoxiclav 375 mg used for? The same infections at a lower strength — amoxicillin 250 mg with clavulanic acid 125 mg. Which is prescribed depends on the infection and your weight and kidney function.
Can I take two 375 mg tablets instead of one 625 mg? No. That would double the clavulanic acid, which causes most of the diarrhoea. Take only the strength prescribed.
What is the clavulanic acid for? It blocks the enzyme bacteria use to destroy amoxicillin, so the amoxicillin can work against organisms that would otherwise be resistant.
Will it help my cold or flu? No. Those are viral. Antibiotics have no effect on them.
Why is it upsetting my stomach? Diarrhoea and nausea are common with this combination. Taking each dose with food helps. Tell your doctor if it is severe or bloody.
Can I stop when I feel better? No. Complete the prescribed course. Stopping early allows the infection to return and drives antibiotic resistance.
Can I take it if I am allergic to penicillin? No. It is a penicillin. Tell your doctor, who will prescribe a different class.