Neoclav syrup is an effective and important antibiotic in medical practice, especially for children. It comes in powder form and is prepared into an easy-to-use oral suspension. This medicine contains an innovative combination of two active ingredients: amoxicillin, a penicillin antibiotic, at a concentration of 200 mg, and clavulanic acid, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, at a concentration of 28.5 mg per 5 ml of reconstituted suspension. This combination is specifically designed to increase the effectiveness of amoxicillin and extend its spectrum of action to include bacteria that have become resistant to amoxicillin alone. This is due to clavulanic acid protecting amoxicillin from degradation. Neoclav is used to treat a wide range of common bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin, and other areas.
Active Ingredients in Neoclav Syrup
Neoclav Syrup (pre-prepared powder) contains the following two active ingredients, which react with water when reconstituted to form an effective oral suspension:
Amoxicillin: 200 mg per 5 ml of reconstituted suspension. Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis.
Clavulanic Acid: 28.5 mg per 5 ml of reconstituted suspension. Clavulanic acid has no strong antibiotic activity on its own, but it acts as a potent inhibitor of beta-lactamase enzymes produced by some bacteria.
Mechanism of Action of Neoclav Syrup
The mechanism of action of Neoclav Syrup is based on the synergistic effect of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid:
Antibacterial Effect of Amoxicillin: Amoxicillin works by binding to specific proteins in the bacterial cell wall called penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). This binding inhibits the enzymes responsible for building peptidoglycan, the main component of the bacterial cell wall. Weak cell walls allow water to enter the bacterial cell, causing it to rupture and die.
Amoxicillin Protection by Clavulanic Acid: Some bacteria develop resistance to amoxicillin by producing beta-lactamase enzymes, which break down the beta-lactam ring in the amoxicillin structure, rendering it ineffective. Clavulanic acid acts as a potent inhibitor of these enzymes. When Neoclav is administered, clavulanic acid permanently binds to and blocks beta-lactamase enzymes, allowing amoxicillin to access penicillin-binding proteins in the bacterial cell wall and kill bacteria, even those that are resistant to amoxicillin alone.
Indications for Use of Neoclav Syrup
Neoclav Syrup is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections caused by bacteria that produce beta-lactamase or bacteria sensitive to amoxicillin, including:
Acute otitis media: A common infection of the middle ear, especially in children.
Acute bacterial sinusitis: An infection of the sinuses caused by bacteria.
Skin and soft tissue infections: such as cellulitis, abscesses, and infected wounds.
Urinary tract infections: such as cystitis and kidney infections.
Lower respiratory tract infections: such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Other infections: such as bone and joint infections and intra-abdominal infections in specific cases.