Drug Name

Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate)

 Drug Uses

Augmentin is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called penicillin. It fights bacteria in the body. Augmentin is used to treat many different types of infections, such as tonsillitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, and infections of the skin. Augmentin may also be used for other purposes.

Augmentin comes as a capsule, chewable tablet, liquid, and pediatric drop to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 8 hours (three times a day). Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Augmentin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Shake the liquid and pediatric drops well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Use the bottle dropper to measure the dose of pediatric drops. The pediatric drops and liquid may be placed on a child's tongue or added to formula, milk, fruit juice, water, ginger ale, or other cold liquid and taken immediately. The tablets should be crushed or chewed thoroughly before they are swallowed. The capsules should be swallowed whole and taken with a full glass of water. Continue to take Augmentin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Augmentin without talking to your doctor.

 Drug Class and Mechanism

Augmentin is an antibiotic of the penicillin type. It is effective against different bacteria such as H. influenzae, N. gonorrhea, E. coli, Pneumococci, Streptococci, and certain strains of Staphylococci. Chemically, it is closely related to penicillin and ampicillin. Addition of clavulanic acid to amoxicillin in Augmentin enhances the effectiveness of this antibiotic against many other bacteria that are ordinarily resistant to amoxicillin.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, and take the rest of the day's doses at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the dose you missed and take the rest of the doses for the day as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Keep out of the reach of children. Store away from heat and direct light. Do not store the capsule or tablet form of Augmentin in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Store the oral liquid form of Augmentin in the refrigerator because heat will cause this medicine to break down. However, keep the medicine from freezing. Follow the directions on the label. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

 Warnings/Precautions

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to another penicillin or to a cephalosporin, do not take Augmentin without first talking to your doctor. Before taking Augmentin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, or stomach or intestinal disease. Augmentin is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Augmentin is generally considered to be safe for use during pregnancy. Do not, however, take Augmentin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Augmentin passes into breast milk. Although serious problems have not been reported, rarely, Augmentin may cause a yeast infection, diarrhea, or an allergic reaction in a nursing infant, although no serious harm is expected. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 Possible Side Effects

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe or bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps during treatment with Augmentin. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Augmentin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; hives; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; rash; or fainting); seizures; or unusual bleeding or bruising. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Augmentin and talk to your doctor if you experience mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, white patches on the tongue (thrush/ yeast infection); itching or discharge of the vagina (vaginal yeast infection); black, "hairy" tongue or sore mouth or tongue. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 More Information

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Augmentin and clavulanate potassium and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; hives; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; rash; or fainting); or diarrhea that is severe or lasts longer than 3 days. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Augmentin and clavulanate potassium and talk to your doctor if you experience mild diarrhea; nausea or vomiting; rash; white patches in the mouth (thrush/ yeast infection); or vaginal yeast infection or diaper rash. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.