Is there a non-penicillin equivalent to Augmentin 825? Am I having an allergic reaction?

I've been struggling a chronic infection for the last 5 months as result of a failed root canal (the infected root wasn't completely removed in the original procedure, and caused a MAJOR infection). Because it was not properly diagnosed, I now have a bit of bone infection under that tooth. Luckily, I've found the right oral surgeon (who showed me the problem on xray) and am having the tooth removed next week, and he is going to clean out the area underneath.

A week ago, I was started on Augmentin 825 2x daily by my medical doctor, to take with the clindamycin I'd already been on for a while. After 4 days on the augmentin I started having major swelling in my hands. This is new, I've never had swelling like this. Yesterday my one hand looked freakishly red and swollen. It was so swollen, that when I straightened out my hand (which was almost difficult), everything turned white, inbetween the redness.

I tried going off the augmentin - I didn't take it last night or today, and today I feel less swollen. I realized that also my abdomen had previously seemed swollen, and now it seems not as much.

I discussed these concerns with my doctor, but she says to just go back on it, she thinks I am having an inflammatory reaction to the chronic infection.

I don't know what to do. I do feel worse infection-wise after going off the augmentin, which I'm very concerned about (been fighting this infection for 4 months). But, I don't want to wind up having a severe reaction to the augmentin, the swelling seemed like it had been building over the last several days.

Is there a non-penicillin equivalent to augmentin 825? Advice?

[scottma]

The drug of choice alternative to augmentin for orodental infection are, clindamycin, erythromycin family such as azithromycin or clarithromycin, or cephalosporin family. However, cephalosporin fmily drugs may have cross hypersensitivity to augmentin.