A specially engineered formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanate, GlaxoSmithKline's Augmentin XR (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium) Extended Release Tablets, is effective in treating acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS), according to a review published in the June issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine. This is despite significant prevalence of resistance to commonly used antimicrobials in bacteria that cause ABRS, an official statement from GSK said.

The review documented the evolution of drug therapies in the treatment of ABRS and CAP and highlighted that although the common bacteria causing ABRS and CAP have become resistant to many current antibiotics, Augmentin XR proves to be safe and effective in treating adults with ABRS and CAP, including patients infected with some types of antibioticresistant organisms. Annually, the United States healthcare system sees ABRS and CAP as two of the most common respiratory tract infections.

The evolution of amoxicillin/clavulanate in the treatment of adults with ABRS and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in response to antimicrobial resistance patterns was reviewed by Michael R Jacobs, Thomas M File and Michael S Benninger.

"In today's environment of resistant pathogens and empiric practices, it is particularly important to provide patients with effective treatments to cure the infection, while limiting use of our most powerful agents to preserve their activity," said Michael R Jacobs, professor, Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, and an author of the review.

"Augmentin XR is an important development because it has sustained efficacy with a safety and tolerability profile similar to older formulations of AugmentinR. It is also a recommended option in evidence-based third party guidelines for ABRS treatment for patients with risk factors for
infection with resistant pathogens, such as recent use of antibiotics," he added.

The pharmacokinetically enhanced formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanate provides an immediate release of amoxicillin/clavulanate and an extended release of amoxicillin, which proves effective in the treatment of ABRS. The review found the distinctive combination prolongs the exposure of bacteria to the antibiotic and promotes the coverage of resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumonia, the release says.

"Augmentin XR was well tolerated and efficacious in clinical trials in which more than 4,000 patients received Augmentin XR," said Betsy Abraham-Van Parijs, senior director of Clinical Development at GlaxoSmithKline. He stated, "In light of today's current resistance patterns, Augmentin XR is proven to be a highly effective treatment option physicians can count on."

The review-Evolution of amoxicillin/clavulanate in the treatment of adults with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and community-acquired pneumonia in response to antimicrobial-resistance patterns-was published in the June issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine.