Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Augmentin oral forms to treat the following conditions in adults and children:
This article describes possible side effects of Augmentin oral forms. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Augmentin, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Augmentin is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet and an oral suspension. It’s available in a generic version called amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium. This article describes possible side effects of Augmentin oral forms.
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More common side effects of Augmentin
Augmentin oral forms may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of these medications.
Commonly reported side effects of Augmentin include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Augmentin in detail” section below.
These side effects were reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES.
Mild side effects of Augmentin
Augmentin may cause certain mild side effects. Typically, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Augmentin that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Augmentin in detail” section below.
These side effects were reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES.
Augmentin may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information for Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES.
Serious side effects of Augmentin
Augmentin may rarely cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Augmentin, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Augmentin.
Serious side effects of Augmentin that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Augmentin in detail” section below.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
These side effects were reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES.
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Side effects of Augmentin in children
For children, doctors prescribe Augmentin for treating certain infections. Augmentin ES is approved to treat middle ear infection, in children ages 3 months and older.
In studies, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:
These side effects were reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES.
If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking Augmentin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Common questions about side effects of Augmentin
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Augmentin oral forms. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do side effects of Augmentin typically last?
It depends on several factors, including the specific side effect and how long you take Augmentin. Most common side effects of Augmentin are temporary and go away on their own, especially if you take the drug for a short time.
Some side effects could occur after stopping Augmentin. For example, C. diff diarrhea* can occur more than 2 months after taking an antibiotic such as Augmentin.
These side effects were reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or are bothersome. Your doctor or pharmacist can discuss possible ways to manage any side effects. They can also help decide if a possible side effect is due to Augmentin or another cause.
In rare cases, Augmentin may cause long-term side effects. To learn more, see the question below, “Does Augmentin cause long-term side effects” or talk with your doctor.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Augmentin in detail” section below.
Are side effects of Augmentin seen in females different than those seen in males?
Not typically. Studies of Augmentin didn’t report different side effects in females versus males*. But vaginitis is a common side effect of Augmentin.
Liver problems†, including hepatitis, are also a possible serious side effect of Augmentin. These problems have been reported more often in males than females*.
These side effects were reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about possible side effects of Augmentin.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
Does Augmentin cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases Augmentin may cause long-term side effects. But this is rare. These side effects may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug. But most common side effects of Augmentin are temporary and go away on their own, especially if you take the drug for a short time.
Some serious side effects*, if they occur, could affect your health long term. Examples of long-term side effects reported with Augmentin include:
These side effects were reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about how long these side effects of Augmentin may last.
* For more information about the serious side effects of Augmentin, see the “Serious side effects of Augmentin” section above.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Augmentin in detail” section below.
‡ This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
Side effects of Augmentin in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Augmentin.
C. diff diarrhea
C. diff diarrhea is a known possible side effect with nearly all antibiotics. (Keep in mind that Augmentin is an antibiotic drug.) This side effect can be mild to serious. In rare cases, it can be fatal.
C. diff is a type of bacterium. If you have too much of it in your intestines, it can lead to an infection and inflammation of your colon.
Typically, other bacteria in the intestines help manage the amount of C. diff. But when the other bacteria are killed by an antibiotic, like Augmentin, the amount of C. diff in your intestines can go up. C. diff makes toxins that can lead to diarrhea.
Diarrhea is the main symptom of a C. diff infection. You may also have other symptoms, such as:
Certain factors can also increase the risk of C. diff diarrhea with Augmentin. These include:
- older age (people ages 65 years and older)
- recently being in a hospital or nursing home
- having a weakened immune system
- prior C. diff infection
Ways to manage
If you have frequent or severe diarrhea while taking Augmentin, call your doctor right away. Get immediate medical care if you see blood in your stool or have severe stomach pain. If you have C. diff diarrhea, your doctor may have you stop taking Augmentin. You may also need fluids or other antibiotics to treat C. diff.
Although diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotics, it typically ends when you finish the antibiotic. But C. diff diarrhea can occur more than two months after taking an antibiotic. Let your doctor know about all medications you’ve taken if you develop C. diff diarrhea.
Severe skin reactions
In studies, severe skin reactions were rare in people taking Augmentin. These reactions are typically serious and can be fatal.
Severe skin reactions that may occur with Augmentin include:
These side effects were reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES.
With a severe skin reaction, early symptoms can occur before it becomes severe. These may include:
Certain factors can increase the risk of some severe skin reactions with Augmentin. These include being of older age and having HIV, cancer, or a weakened immune system.
Some people of Southeast Asian, Chinese, and Indian descent may also be at higher risk. Your risk may also be higher if an immediate family member has had a severe skin reaction.
Ways to manage
Severe skin reactions can be a life threatening medical emergency. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash or other early symptoms of a severe skin reaction.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number. Be sure to tell your doctor or other healthcare professionals about all medications you take. Your doctor will have you stop taking Augmentin if you have a severe skin reaction.
Tell your doctor before starting Augmentin if you or a family member has had a severe skin reaction in the past. Also, tell your doctor if you have any other risk factors noted above for severe skin reactions.
Nausea and vomiting
In studies, nausea and vomiting were common in people taking Augmentin. Nausea occurred more often than vomiting. These side effects are typically mild and should go away with time, especially if you take the drug for a short duration.
These side effects were reported in studies of Augmentin oral forms and Augmentin ES.
With nausea and vomiting, you experience a feeling of stomach upset and the need to vomit.
Certain factors can increase the risk of nausea with Augmentin. These include taking the medication on an empty stomach.
Ways to manage
If you experience nausea or vomiting, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They’ll likely recommend ways to help limit these side effects, such as:
They may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to help reduce nausea. If you have nausea or vomiting, be sure to drink enough fluids to help prevent dehydration.
For some people, Augmentin can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, typically affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
In rare cases, serious allergic reactions with Augmentin can include severe skin reactions*, such as:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Severe skin reactions” section above.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening.
If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Augmentin or other penicillins, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for Augmentin
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Augmentin.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take Augmentin if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Augmentin is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking Augmentin, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
*See the “Side effects of Augmentin” section above to learn more.
Augmentin and pregnancy
It’s not known whether Augmentin should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Augmentin and breastfeeding
In general, Augmentin is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. But the drug passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Check with your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you specifically to breastfeed while taking Augmentin.
Augmentin is not known to interact with alcohol.
But drinking alcohol with antibiotics may increase your chance of side effects, such as nausea or diarrhea. Alcohol may also interfere with your body’s ability to heal from an infection.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Augmentin.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Augmentin. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Is my risk of side effects higher when I first start treatment with Augmentin?
- How long do side effects of Augmentin typically last?
- Are side effects of Augmentin different depending on gender?
- Does Augmentin cause long-term side effects?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
