Augmentin contains a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. Clavulanate potassium is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that helps prevent certain bacteria from becoming resistant to amoxicillin.

Augmentin is prescription antibiotic used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria, such as sinusitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and infections of the skin.

Warnings

You should not use Augmentin if you have severe kidney disease, if you have had liver problems or jaundice while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, or if you are allergic to any penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic, such as Amoxil, Ceftin, Cefzil, Moxatag, Omnicef, and others.

If you switch from one tablet form to another (regular or extended-release tablet), take only the new tablet form and strength prescribed for you. Amoxicillin and clavulanate 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.

Augmentin 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.

Warnings

You should not use Augmentin if you have severe kidney disease, if you have had liver problems or jaundice while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, or if you are allergic to any penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic,

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Augmentin if you are allergic to amoxicillin and clavulanate 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.

To make sure Augmentin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease (hepatitis or jaundice);
• kidney disease; or
• mononucleosis.

The liquid may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Augmentin can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge) to prevent pregnancy.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take Augmentin?

Take Augmentin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Augmentin may work best if you take it at the start of a meal.

Take the medicine every 12 hours.

Do not crush or chew the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole, or break the pill in half and take both halves one at a time. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing a whole or half pill.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Augmentin.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Augmentin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the liquid in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused liquid after 10 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

Overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, skin rash, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and decreased urination.

What to avoid

Avoid taking this medicine together with or just after eating a high-fat meal. This will make it harder for your body to absorb the medication.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Augmentin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Augmentin (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop using Augmentin and seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

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 Augmentin side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting; diarrhea;
• rash, itching;
• vaginal itching or discharge; or
• diaper rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect Augmentin?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• allopurinol;
• probenecid; or
• a blood thinner – warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

What is piperacillin and tazobactam?

Piperacillin and tazobactam is a combination penicillin antibiotic that is used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria, such as stomach infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and severe uterine infections.

piperacillin and tazobactam is sometimes given together with other antibiotics.

Piperacillin and tazobactam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Piperacillin and tazobactam side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Piperacillin and tazobactam may cause serious 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);
• confusion;
• muscle twitching or stiffness, trouble walking;
• a seizure;
• low white blood cell counts–fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing; or
• low potassium level–leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common side effects of piperacillin and tazobactam may include:

• diarrhea, constipation;
• nausea;
• headache; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

You should not use piperacillin and tazobactam if you have ever had an allergic reaction to certain antibiotics (especially a penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to:

• piperacillin or any other penicillin antibiotic (amoxicillin, ampicillin, Augmentin, dicloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin, ticarcillin, or others);
• tazobactam; or
• a cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cephalexin (Keflex), or others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
• an electrolyte imbalance such as low levels of potassium in your blood;
• cystic fibrosis;
• any type of allergy; or
• if you are on a low-salt diet.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I use piperacillin and tazobactam?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Piperacillin and tazobactam is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don’t understand all instructions.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Use piperacillin and tazobactam for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Piperacillin and tazobactam will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

You may need frequent blood tests.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using piperacillin and tazobactam.

Carefully follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about storing your medicine. You may need to keep the medicine in a refrigerator or at room temperature. How you store the medicine and for how long will depend on how the medicine was mixed at the pharmacy.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof “sharps” container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

What should I avoid while using piperacillin and tazobactam?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

What other drugs will affect piperacillin and tazobactam?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may affect piperacillin and tazobactam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

What is amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium is a combination prescription antibiotic. Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. Clavulanate potassium is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that helps prevent certain bacteria from becoming resistant to amoxicillin.

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.

Warnings

You should not use amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium if you have severe kidney disease, if you have had liver problems or jaundice while taking this medicine previously, or if you are allergic to any penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic, such as Amoxil, Ceftin, Cefzil, Levaquin, Moxatag, Omnicef, 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. Amoxicillin and clavulanate 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 this medicine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to amoxicillin and clavulanate, 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. Discuss your personal risk with your prescriber.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease (hepatitis or jaundice);
• kidney disease; or
• mononucleosis.

The liquid or chewable tablet may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge) to prevent pregnancy.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?

Take amoxicillin and clavulanate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium may work best if you take it at the start of a meal.

Take the medicine every 12 hours.

Do not crush or chew the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole, or break the pill in half and take both halves one at a time. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing a whole or half pill.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the liquid in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused liquid after 10 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

Overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, skin rash, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and decreased urination.

What to avoid

Avoid taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium together with or just after eating a high-fat meal. This will make it harder for your body to absorb the medication.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to amoxicillin and clavulanate (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

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 amoxicillin and clavulanate side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting; diarrhea;
• rash, itching;
• vaginal itching or discharge; or
• diaper rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA .

What other drugs will affect amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• allopurinol;
• probenecid; or
• a blood thinner – warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.