Augmentin

Augmentin is a prescription medication used to treat symptoms of infection in the ears, nose, airways, skin, and urinary tract. Augmentin belongs to a group of drugs called beta-lactam antibiotics, which help fight infections due to bacteria.

This medication comes in chewable tablet, long-acting (extended-release) tablet, and suspension (liquid) forms to be taken by mouth. It is usually taken 2 to 3 times a day with food or milk.

The long-acting tablets should not be crushed or chewed, but can be cut in half for patients who have trouble swallowing pills.

Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, rash or urticaria (red, itchy spots), and vomiting.

Augmentin is a prescription medication used to treat symptoms of infection in the ears, nose, airways, skin, and urinary tract.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• your weight
• your age
• your renal function
• the severity of the infection

The usual adult dose is one Augmentin tablet 500 mg/125 mg every 12 hours or one Augmentin tablet 250 mg/125 mg every 8 hours.

• For more severe infections and infections of the respiratory tract, the dose should be one Augmentin tablet 875 mg/125 mg every 12 hours or one Augmentin tablet 500 mg/125 mg every 8 hours.

Pediatric patients weighing 40 kg or more should be dosed according to the adult recommendations.

Serious side effects have been reported with amoxicillin/clavulanate including:

• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction: Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms...
  • skin rash
  • itching
  • hives
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • wheezing
• Liver dysfunction and jaundice: Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms...
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • dark-colored urine and pale bowel movements
  • stomach pain
  • yellow tinting of the skin and the eyes
• Mononucleosis (type of viral infection) and skin rash: Those who take amoxicillin/clavulanate can develop skin rash. Avoid amoxicillin/clavulanate use in these patients.
• Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD): Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms...
  • diarrhea

Amoxicillin/clavulanate can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication will affect you.

Do not take amoxicillin/clavulanate if you:

• have had a serious hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to amoxicillin/clavulanate or to other antibiotics such as penicillins or cephalosporins
• have a history of jaundice/liver dysfunction linked to amoxicillin/clavulanate use

Serious side effects have been reported. See “Augmentin Precautions” section.

Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, rash or urticaria (red, itchy spots), and vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• probenecid (Benemid)
• warfarin (Jantoven, Coumadin)
• allopurinol (Zyloprim)
• oral contraceptives (birth control pills)

This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Augmentin falls into category B. Studies in animals have failed to demonstrate a risk to the unborn baby and there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Or, animal studies have shown a harmful and undesired effect, but adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the unborn baby in any trimester.

It is not known if Augmentin will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

The active ingredient in Augmentin is excreted in human breast milk. The effect of Augmentin on the nursing infant is not known.

Before taking amoxicillin/clavulanate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to amoxicillin (Amoxil), clavulanic acid, cephalosporins, or penicillins.

Continue to take this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking amoxicillin/clavulanate without talking to your doctor.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have diarrhea.

Especially tell your doctor if you take oral contraceptives (birth control pills). Amoxicillin/clavulanate can affect how oral contraceptives work.