PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 27, 1996 -- SmithKline Beecham (SB) (NYSE: SBH, SBE) announced today the introduction of a new, more convenient adult dosing regimen of Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium), one of the most frequently used antibiotics for infections involving drug-resistant bacteria.

In the new regimen, Augmentin is administered twice a day (BID), every 12 hours, in contrast to the three-times-a-day (TID), every-8- hour regimen used since the U.S. introduction of Augmentin. During 11 years of use in the U.S., Augmentin has demonstrated undiminished efficacy in the treatment of various respiratory-tract infections, including sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

The new regimen, in addition to affording more convenience, has been shown in studies involving more severe infections to reduce the incidence of troublesome diarrhea associated with the product.

The BID regimen for more severe infections and infections of the respiratory tract consists of a new tablet containing 875 mg of amoxicillin and 125 mg of clavulanate potassium.

In addition, the currently marketed tablet containing 500 mg of amoxicillin and 125 mg of clavulanate potassium can now be prescribed on a twice-a-day regimen for less severe infections that may be treated with a lower dose.

Augmentin combines amoxicillin, an extended-spectrum antibiotic, with clavulanate, which inhibits an important mechanism of bacterial resistance. That mechanism is the production of beta-lactamases -- enzymes that destroy many antibiotics in both the penicillin and cephalosporin classes. By binding irreversibly to beta-lactamases, clavulanate protects amoxicillin from destruction.

The side effects of Augmentin, which are primarily mild and self-limiting, include diarrhea and nausea. In adult patients treated for more severe infections during clinical trials, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of patients experiencing severe diarrhea or withdrawing from trials because of diarrhea: BID 1 percent versus TID 2.5 percent -- a reduction of 60 percent.

Augmentin should not be used in patients with a history of allergic reactions to any penicillin, nor in patients with a previous history of Augmentin-associated cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction.

SmithKline Beecham -- one of the world's leading healthcare companies -- discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets pharmaceuticals, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health-related consumer products, and provides healthcare services including clinical laboratory testing, disease management, and pharmaceutical benefit management.

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