ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium (injec... Health Article

Generic name(s):

ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium (injection)

Brand name(s):

ticarcillin-clavulanate, Timentin

What is the most important information I should know about ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to clavulanate potassium, ticarcillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.

Before using ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, low levels of potassium in your blood, a history of any type of allergy, or if you are on a salt-restricted diet.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium can make birth control pills less effective. Use a second non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while using ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium.

What is ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium?

Ticarcillin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called penicillins. Ticarcillin fights bacteria in the body.

Clavulanate potassium is a form of clavulanic acid, which is similar to penicillin. Clavulanate potassium fights bacteria that is often resistant to penicillins and other antibiotics.

The combination of ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium is used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria, such as urinary tract infections, bone and joint infections, severe vaginal infections, stomach infections, and skin infections.

Ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to clavulanate potassium, ticarcillin, or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as:

• amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin);

• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);

• carbenicillin (Geocillin);

• dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);

• oxacillin (Bactocill); or

• penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others).

Before using ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others), or if you have:

• kidney disease;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

• an electrolyte imbalance such as low levels of potassium in your blood;

• a history of any type of allergy; or

• if you are on a salt-restricted diet.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium can make birth control pills less effective. Use a second non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while using ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium. It is not known whether ticarcillin and clavulanate potassium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.