Augmentin 500 125 MG Tablet
Augmentin is a prescription antibiotic medication. It’s used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Augmentin belongs to the penicillin class of antibiotics. Augmentin contains two drugs: amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. This combination makes Augmentin work against more types of bacteria than antibiotics that contain amoxicillin alone. Augmentin is effective for treating infections caused by many different types of bacteria. These include bacteria that cause:
- pneumonia
- ear infections
- sinus infections
- skin infections
- urinary tract infections
Augmentin comes in three forms, all of which are taken by mouth:
- immediate-release tablet
- extended-release tablet
- liquid suspension
Augmentin dosage
The Augmentin dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re using Augmentin to treat
- your age
- the form of Augmentin you take
- other medical conditions you may have
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.
Augmentin suspension for adults
The Augmentin liquid suspension form may be used instead of the tablet for adults who have trouble swallowing pills. The suspension comes in different concentrations. Your pharmacist will determine the suspension to use and the amount to take based on your doctor’s prescription.
Pediatric dosage
The liquid suspension form of Augmentin is typically used for children. The dosage depends on the condition being treated, its severity, and the age or weight of the child.
Your pharmacist will determine the concentration of the suspension and the amount your child should take based on their doctor’s prescription.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. However, if it’s just a few hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one on schedule.
Never try to catch up by taking two doses at a time. This can cause dangerous side effects.
Augmentin side effects
Augmentin can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Augmentin. This list does not include all possible side effects.
For more information on the possible side effects of Augmentin, or for tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
More common side effects
The more common side effects of Augmentin include:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- skin rash
- vaginitis (caused by problems such as yeast infection)
- vomiting
These side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- Liver problems. It’s not common, but some people who take Augmentin can develop liver damage. This seems to be more common in seniors and those who take Augmentin for a long time. Usually these problems go away when the medication is stopped, but in other cases, they may be severe and require treatment. Tell your doctor if you develop symptoms of liver problems while taking Augmentin. Your doctor may do blood tests to check for liver damage. Symptoms can include:
- stomach pain
- fatigue
- yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
- Intestinal infection. Some people who take antibiotics, including Augmentin, can develop an intestinal infection called Clostridium difficile. Tell your doctor if you develop symptoms of this infection. Symptoms can include:
- severe diarrhea that doesn’t go away
- stomach pain or cramping
- nausea
- blood in your stool
- Allergic reaction. Serious allergic reactions can occur in some people who take Augmentin. This is more likely to happen in people with a penicillin allergy. You may not be able to take this medication again if you’ve ever had a serious allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal. If you’ve had a reaction to this medication in the past, talk to your doctor before taking it again. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:
- severe skin rash
- hives
- swelling of the lips, tongue, throat
- trouble breathing
Rash
Many medications, including Augmentin, can cause rash in some people. This is a common side effect of Augmentin, which is a penicillin-type antibiotic. This class of antibiotics causes skin rash more often than most other kinds of antibiotics.
Rash occurs in about 3 percent of people who take Augmentin.
Raised, itchy, white, or red bumps that occur after the first couple doses of Augmentin may indicate an allergy to the medication. If this occurs, contact your doctor. If you have an allergic reaction, you may need to be treated with a different antibiotic.
Rashes that develop several days after you take the medication and appear as flat, red patches often indicate a different kind of rash that’s not caused by an allergic reaction. These usually go away on their own after a few days.
Fatigue
Fatigue is not a common side effect of Augmentin. However, it’s common for people who are fighting infections to feel fatigued, tired, or weak. If you become fatigued after starting Augmentin, or your symptoms are not improving, talk to your doctor.
Yeast infection
Vaginal yeast infections can sometimes occur after treatment with antibiotics, including Augmentin. If you’ve never had a yeast infection before and think you might have one, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
Side effects in children
Children who take Augmentin can experience the same side effects as adults.
In addition to those side effects, children can experience tooth discoloration. Augmentin use can cause a brown, gray, or yellow staining of children’s teeth. In most cases, brushing or dental cleaning can reduce or remove the discoloration.
Augmentin uses
Augmentin is commonly used in adults and children to treat infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract, ear, sinuses, and skin.
Augmentin for urinary tract infection (UTI)
Augmentin is FDA-approved for treating UTI. According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Augmentin is not a first-choice antibiotic for UTI. It should be used when other medications such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole cannot be used.
Augmentin for sinus infection / sinusitis
Augmentin and Augmentin XR are FDA-approved for treating sinus infection in adults and children. Augmentin is considered a first-choice medication for this condition.
Augmentin for strep
Augmentin is not FDA-approved for treating strep throat, which is also known as streptococcus pharyngitis. In addition, the Infectious Diseases Society of America does not recommend Augmentin for treating most cases of strep throat.
Augmentin for pneumonia
Augmentin and Augmentin XR are FDA-approved for treating pneumonia. They’re typically not first-choice antibiotics for pneumonia. However, they’re often used in people with pneumonia who also have other medical conditions such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease, or heart disease.
When used to treat pneumonia, Augmentin and Augmentin XR are typically used in combination with other antibiotics.
Augmentin for ear infection
Augmentin is FDA-approved to treat ear infections, also known as otitis media, in children and adults..Augmentin is often reserved for children who have recently been treated with another antibiotic such as amoxicillin. It may also be reserved for those who have had previous ear infections that were not effectively treated by amoxicillin.
Augmentin for cellulitis
Cellulitis is a type of skin infection. Augmentin is FDA-approved to treat some types of skin infections, including cellulitis caused by certain bacteria. However, Augmentin is usually not the first-choice antibiotic for treating cellulitis.
Augmentin for bronchitis
Augmentin is approved to treat certain types of respiratory infections. In some cases, this can include bronchitis.
Bronchitis is often caused by a virus, so antibiotics are not usually effective in treating it. But if you have a cough that doesn’t go away and your doctor suspects it’s caused by a bacterial infection, they may consider treating you with antibiotics such as Augmentin.
Augmentin for acne
Antibiotics are sometimes used for treating certain types of acne. Although it may be used off-label for treating acne, Augmentin is not usually a first choice for this purpose.
Augmentin for diverticulitis
Augmentin is not FDA-approved for treating diverticulitis. However, it’s used off-label to treat it. Augmentin XR is usually considered a second-choice antibiotic for diverticulitis.
Augmentin and alcohol
Drinking alcohol while taking Augmentin may increase your risk of certain side effects, or make your side effects worse.
Examples of side effects that might be more likely to occur or worsen with alcohol use include:
- vomiting
- dizziness
- stomach upset
- liver problems
Augmentin interactions
Augmentin can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain foods.
Augmentin and other medications
Below is a list of medications that can interact with Augmentin. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Augmentin.
Different drug interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.
Before taking Augmentin, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Anticoagulant drugs
Taking Augmentin with oral anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) might increase the effects of the anticoagulants. This could result in increased bleeding.
If you take an anticoagulant drug with Augmentin, your doctor may need to monitor your bleeding risk more often.
Allopurinol
Taking Augmentin with allopurinol (Zyloprim, Aloprim) might increase your risk of developing a skin rash.
Oral contraceptives
Some antibiotics, including Augmentin, might decrease how well oral contraceptives (such as the birth control pill) work. However, research on this interaction is inconsistent and controversial.
Until more is known about this potential interaction, consider using a backup method of contraception while taking Augmentin.
Augmentin and Tylenol
There is no known interaction between Augmentin and Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Augmentin and dairy
Milk and other dairy foods can interact with some antibiotics. However, they don’t interact with Augmentin.
How to take Augmentin
Take Augmentin exactly according to your doctor’s instructions. You might start to feel better before you finish your entire treatment. But even if you do feel better, don’t stop taking Augmentin. In many cases, it’s important to finish the entire treatment to ensure that the infection does not come back.
If you’re feeling better and want to stop Augmentin early, be sure to ask your doctor if it’s safe to do so.
Timing
Augmentin is taken two or three times daily. If you take it twice daily, spread out the doses so that they’re roughly 12 hours apart. If you take it three times daily, spread out the doses so that they’re roughly eight hours apart.
Augmentin XR is taken twice daily. Spread out the doses so that they’re about 12 hours apart.
Taking Augmentin with food
You can take Augmentin on an empty stomach or with a meal. Taking it with a meal may reduce stomach upset and help your body absorb the drug better.
You should take Augmentin XR at the start of a meal. This increases the amount of medication your body absorbs and helps reduce stomach upset.
Can Augmentin be crushed?
Augmentin can be crushed. However, Augmentin XR should not be crushed. If either type of tablet is scored (has an indented line across it), it can be split in half.
If you have trouble swallowing pills, ask your doctor or pharmacist about taking Augmentin liquid suspension instead.
