Health Topics. Health Tools. Augmentin Amoxicillin And Clavulanate Potassium. Generic Name: Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Reviewed: June 23, You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to it, or if: you have severe kidney disease or if you are on dialysis ; you have had liver problems or jaundice while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium; or you are allergic to any penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic, such as Amoxil, Ceftin, Cefzil, Moxatag, Omnicef, and others.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver disease hepatitis or jaundice ; kidney disease; or mononucleosis. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Side Effects. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody even if it occurs months after your last dose ; pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness; loss of appetite, upper stomach pain; little or no urination; or easy bruising or bleeding.
Common side effects may include: nausea, vomiting; diarrhea; rash, itching; vaginal itching or discharge; or diaper rash. Based on FDA pregnancy categories.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium may work best if you take it at the start of a meal. This antibiotic also is the first drug of choice for:.
Note that although amoxicillin can kill many of the same bacteria as penicillin, it is less effective than penicillin against Streptococcus pneumococcus, the bacteria commonly associated with meningitis and systemic bacteremia. The side effects of amoxicillin tend to be relatively mild, which is another reason it's often prescribed for kids.
The most common ones include rash, vaginal itching, and a dark or "hairy tongue. As with penicillin, there is a risk of an allergic reaction to amoxicillin in those predisposed to it. These can be life-threatening. It's vital a healthcare provider take a medical history before prescribing amoxicillin to determine if a patient has a known history of allergy to antibiotics. Augmentin is amoxicillin combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor called clavulanate, an ingredient that blocks the enzymes that contribute to antibiotic resistance.
The addition of a beta-lactamase blocker to amoxicillin allows Augmentin to overcome resistance to harder-to-treat bacteria, broadening the spectrum of infections it can treat. It is for this reason that Augmentin is referred to as a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
Augmentin can treat the same bacteria as amoxicillin, but also is effective against certain harder-to-treat infections, including:. It should be noted there are a few infections for which amoxicillin and Augmentin are prescribed equally:. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. The most common side effect of Augmentin is diarrhea. Some people may also experience nausea, vomiting, yeast infections, and rash. If you have an infection and don't necessarily know which bacteria is causing it, it may seem to make sense to use an antibiotic that would kill the most bugs.
However, doing that can cause major problems. Antibiotics used indiscriminately may destroy "good" bacteria along with "bad," thereby altering the body's natural flora and allowing even worse bacteria to proliferate.
Another, even more pressing concern is that using broad-spectrum antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance. When this happens, a few mutated bacteria may survive, some of which may be naturally resistant to the antibiotic you were taking.
Because you didn't "hit the infection hard enough," these survivors now have the opportunity to multiply and become the dominant strain. As such, the next time you develop an infection, the antibiotic will not work anywhere near as well. As a result, the drug may be more effective for a wider range of bacteria. Doctors may prescribe Augmentin to treat the same infections as amoxicillin.
They may also prescribe it to treat infections that could be more drug-resistant, including:. Doctors may also prescribe Augmentin for people who have recurring infections, such as UTIs or strep throat.
Augmentin and amoxicillin may also alter the healthy growth of bacteria in the intestines. This may lead to a temporary imbalance in the intestinal flora. People who frequently use antibiotics may have a higher risk of these issues, because their gut bacteria may have less time to recover. According to the authors of a review , consuming probiotic foods after a round of antibiotics could help reestablish balance in the gut bacteria.
As a review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal notes, Augmentin and amoxicillin may also increase the risk of yeast infections in some people. These are fungal infections that need antifungal treatment. In very rare cases, some people may also experience seizures or low blood or platelet levels after taking these antibiotics.
It is also possible to be allergic to these medications. A severe allergic reaction can lead to a dangerous complication called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek emergency medical care. Also, Augmentin may lead to an overgrowth of bacteria called Clostridium difficile. This can cause severe diarrhea that requires treatment to prevent complications.
The United States Food and Drug Administration note that, while Augmentin has a low risk of toxicity, people who take it for a longer period should be under close supervision, as there may be a chance of damage to the kidney or liver.
Before taking any antibiotic, it is important to ensure that the infection is bacterial. Augmentin and amoxicillin will have no effect on viral or fungal infections. Amoxicillin and Augmentin also differ in how they are formulated. Both medications share similar side effects and drug interactions. They should be used with caution when taking other antibiotics and blood thinning medications. Because of their similarities and possible side effects, both antibiotics should be reviewed by your doctor.
Depending on the infection, your doctor may prescribe one antibiotic over the other. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. Amoxicillin vs Augmentin: Main Differences and Similarities.
By Gerardo Sison, Pharm. Want the best price on Amoxicillin? Want the best price on Augmentin? Top Reads in Drug vs. Toujeo vs Lantus: Main Differences and S Dulera vs Advair: Main Differences and S Suboxone vs Methadone: Main Differences
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