What is amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called penicillins. Amoxicillin fights bacteria in the
body.
Clavulanate potassium is a form of clavulanic acid, which is similar to penicillin. Clavulanate
potassium fights bacteria that is often resistant to penicillins and other antibiotics.
The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium is used to treat many different
infections caused by bacteria, such as sinusitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract
infections, and infections of the skin.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amoxicillin or clavulanate potassium, or if
you have ever had liver problems caused by this medication.
Do not use if you are allergic to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as ampicillin (Omnipen,
Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin
(Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
this medication. Before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, tell your doctor if you have:
-
liver disease (or a history of hepatitis or jaundice);
-
kidney disease;
-
mononucleosis; or
-
if you are allergic to a cephalosporin antibiotic, such as
cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your
doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide)
to prevent pregnancy while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The liquid and chewable tablet forms of this medication may contain phenylalanine. Talk to
your doctor before using these forms of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium if you have
phenylketonuria (PKU).
How should I take amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or
for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
If you switch from one tablet form to another (regular, chewable, or extended-release
tablet), take only the new tablet form and strength prescribed for you. The strength of clavulanate
potassium is not the same among the different tablet forms, even though the amount of amoxicillin may
be the same as in the tablet you were using before. This medicine may not be as effective or could be
harmful if you do not use the exact tablet form your doctor has prescribed.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Take the medicine at the start of a meal to reduce stomach upset.
The
Augmentin tablet
should be swallowed whole.
The
Augmentin Chewable tablet
must be chewed before swallowing. Do
not swallow a chewable tablet whole.
Do not crush or chew the
Augmentin XR (extended-release) tablet
.
Swallow the pill whole, or break the pill in half and take both halves one at a time. If you have trouble
swallowing a whole or half pill, talk with your doctor about using another form of amoxicillin and
clavulanate potassium.
Shake the liquid form of this medicine well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you
get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium should be taken at evenly spaced intervals as prescribed.
It is important to take amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium regularly to get the most benefit.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Amoxicillin and clavulanate
potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
This medication can cause you to have false results with certain medical tests, including urine
glucose (sugar) tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using amoxicillin and clavulanate
potassium.
Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Store the liquid form of this medicine in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused liquid after
10 days.
What happens if I miss a dose of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?
Your pharmacist has information about amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it;
-
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion
or weakness;
-
easy bruising or bleeding;
-
skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle
weakness;
-
agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure
(convulsions);
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
-
fever, sore throat, and headache with severe blistering,
peeling, or red skin rash.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild diarrhea, gas, stomach pain;
-
nausea or vomiting;
-
headache;
-
skin rash or itching;
-
white patches in your mouth or throat; or
-
vaginal yeast infection (itching or discharge).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amoxicillin or clavulanate potassium, or if
you have ever had liver problems caused by this medication.
Do not use if you are allergic to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as ampicillin (Omnipen,
Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin
(Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.
Before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, tell your doctor if you have liver disease (or
a history of hepatitis or jaundice), kidney disease, or mononucleosis, or if you are allergic to a
cephalosporin antibiotic, such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin
(Keflex), and others.
If you switch from one tablet form to another (regular, chewable, or extended-release
tablet), take only the new tablet form and strength prescribed for you. This medicine may not be as
effective or could be harmful if you do not use the exact tablet form your doctor has prescribed.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your
doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide)
to prevent pregnancy while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.
What should I avoid while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have
diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, stop taking this medication and call your doctor. Do not use
any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?