Bacterial infections that are resistant to amoxicillin alone or are likely to be, including stubborn chest and sinus infections, ear infections, urinary tract infections, animal and human bites, dental abscesses and some skin and soft-tissue infections.

Amoxicillin stops bacteria building their cell wall. Many resistant bacteria defend themselves by making beta-lactamase, an enzyme that cuts amoxicillin apart before it can act. Clavulanic acid has almost no antibiotic effect of its own; it sacrifices itself to that enzyme so the amoxicillin beside it survives and works.

Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and thrush. Diarrhoea is more common than with amoxicillin alone, and taking each dose with food helps. Rash is also possible.

Not for anyone allergic to penicillin. Co-amoxiclav can rarely inflame the liver, sometimes weeks after the course, so report yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine or itching. Tell your doctor about previous jaundice with this medicine, or about kidney disease, which changes the dose. It is a prescription medicine in Pakistan.