Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate)

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.