Augmentin

Augmentin (Amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium)

What Is Augmentin?

Augmentin is a prescription antibiotic medication used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Augmentin belongs to the penicillin class of antibiotics.

Augmentin contains two drugs: amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

Augmentin Indications

Augmentin should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.

Augmentin is effective for treating infections caused by many different types of bacteria. These include bacteria that cause

• Pneumonia
• Ear infections
• Sinus infections
• Skin infections
• Urinary tract infections

Augmentin side effects

Augmentin can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Augmentin. This list does not include all possible side effects.

The more common side effects of Augmentin include

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Skin rash
• Vaginitis (caused by problems such as yeast infection)
• Vomiting

These side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor.

Augmentin Precautions

Before taking Augmentin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to amoxicillin or clavulanic acid; or to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics; or if you have any other allergies. 

Before using this medication, tell the doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease (including liver problems caused by previous use of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid), kidney disease, a certain type of viral infection (infectious mononucleosis).

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Augmentin forms

Augmentin comes in three forms, all of which are taken by mouth

• Immediate-release tablet
• Extended-release tablet
• Liquid suspension