Augmentin

Medically Reviewed by Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jun 28, 2022

Warnings

What are the risks of taking Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate)?

Augmentin can cause serious health problems, especially in certain high-risk patients. If the potential complications of this medication are concerning for you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for bacterial infections. Some of the potential risks of Augmentin are listed below.

SERIOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS: Rarely, Augmentin can cause severe allergic reactions with symptoms like swelling in the face and neck and trouble breathing or swallowing. This medication may not be right for people with a history of allergic reactions from penicillin-type antibiotics.
LIVER PROBLEMS: In a small number of people, Augmentin can cause liver damage. The risk is higher in individuals with hepatic impairment (reduced hepatic function or a history of liver disease). Talk to your healthcare professional right away if you experience signs and symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, right upper stomach pain, nausea, fatigue, and fever.
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE DIARRHEA (C. DIFF.): Taking antibiotics like Augmentin can increase the risk of getting severe diarrhea from a bacterial infection called Clostridium difficile. The risk is higher in people who are on prolonged treatment with Augmentin. Contact your doctor without delay if you develop diarrhea with watery or bloody stools. This can happen several weeks after you finish taking the medicine.
Your doctor or pharmacist can prescribe other treatments for bacterial infections if you are at risk of complications from Augmentin use.

What should I tell my doctor before starting Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate)?

Tell your doctor if you have previously had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, penicillin antibiotics, cephalosporin antibiotics, or any of the ingredients in Augmentin tablets or liquid suspension. Your pharmacy can provide you with a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor a list of all your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal products. This can help avoid serious drug interactions.

Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions. Augmentin may not be right for people with certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease, severe renal impairment (severe kidney disease), allergies, asthma, hives, hay ever, or mononucleosis.

Tell your doctor if you take birth control pills. Augmentin can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. You will need to use another form of birth control while on Augmentin. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

What precautions should I take while on Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate)?

Keep all appointments with your doctor while on treatment with Augmentin. Your doctor may order some laboratory tests and medical tests to assess your response to the medicine.

Finish your Augmentin prescription even if you feel better. Stopping antibiotics without finishing the full course can lead to incomplete treatment of bacterial infections. It can also make the bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

If your symptoms have not improved after finishing the recommended course of Augmentin, call your doctor. Do not use someone else’s leftover medicine or share your prescription with anyone.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any signs and symptoms such as rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling, dark-colored urine, or severe diarrhea during or after Augmentin treatment.

People with diabetes should use TesTape or Clinistix (and not Clinitest) to test the urine for sugar while on Augmentin.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while on Augmentin treatment. This medication should be used with caution in pregnant women.

What are Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) interactions?

Taking Augmentin with some other medications can affect how well the medicines work. Drug interactions can also increase the risk of serious side effects. Your physician may choose a different antibiotic to treat your bacterial infection, change the dose or frequency of one or both medicines, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known drug interactions.

There can be drug interactions between Augmentin and the following medications:

Probenecid (Probalan)
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Allopurinol (Lopurin, Aloprim, Zyloprim)

This list does not describe all possible Augmentin interactions. Give your healthcare provider a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal products. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription drugs.

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