GSK's augmentin ES-600 gets ok for acute ear infection treatment

Drug Store News, Nov 19, 2001 by James Frederick

GlaxoSmith Kline' ES-600, a version of Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium), has become the first antibiotic specifically indicated for tough-to-treat pediatric ear infection, GSK's anti-infectives vice president Brian Lortie said. It is approved for the treatment of children with recurrent or persistent middle ear infections due to streptococcus pneumoniae, haemohilus influenzae or moraxella catarrhalis. Children with acute otitis media may be candidates for Augmentin ES-600 if they've been given an antibiotic for middle ear infections within the preceding three months and are either 2 years of age or younger or attend daycare.

Augmentin ES-600 is an orange-raspberry powder reconstituted with water containing 600 mg of amoxicillin and 42.9 mg of clauvulanate potassium. It is given twice a day for 10 days. It is not interchangeable with regular strength Augmentin. Kids allergic to penicillin shouldn't take the drug.