Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium, Oral

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to treat infections caused by bacteria. Take it exactly as directed.
• If you develop severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than 2 or 3 days while taking this medicine, or for several weeks after you stop taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, oral; Augmentin; Augmentin ES-600; Augmentin XR

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a type of penicillin antibiotic. It is taken by mouth to treat infections caused by bacteria. It will not cure infections caused by viruses, such as colds and the flu.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before you take this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicines
• Asthma
• Hay fever or other allergies
• Kidney or liver disease
• Mononucleosis
• Phenylketonuria (PKU). The liquid or chewable tablets may contain aspartame.

Females of childbearing age: Birth control pills may be less effective while you are taking this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you are using birth control pills. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Take this medicine for as long as your healthcare provider prescribes, even if you feel better. You may have to take this medicine for 10 days or more, especially for serious infections.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children. Some brands should not be used in children under a certain age.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Take each dose with a full glass of water.

If you have the chewable tablets, chew them completely before swallowing.

If you are taking a liquid form of this medicine, shake it well before pouring. Use the measuring spoon, cup, dropper, or oral syringe that comes with the medicine, or ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen spoon because the dose may not be correct.

If you have the long-acting form of this medicine, do not break, chew, or crush the tablets. Swallow them whole.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, seizures, diarrhea, drowsiness, hyperactivity, bloody urine, decreased urination.

What should I watch out for?

If you develop hives, an itchy rash, or peeling skin, stop taking the medicine and contact your provider right away.

This medicine may cause or worsen diarrhea. If you develop severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than 2 or 3 days while taking this medicine, or for several weeks after you stop taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not take medicine to treat diarrhea without your provider's approval.

Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse.

Do not use this medicine for other infections unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you take this medicine for a long time, you may need to have blood tests to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.

If you have diabetes and test for sugar in your urine, you may get a false positive result. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat); seizures.

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Unusual bruising or bleeding, unusual tiredness or weakness, joint pain with fever, severe or bloody diarrhea, severe nausea, vomiting, swelling, trouble urinating, bloody urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Other: Discolored or sore tongue, headache, mild diarrhea, mild nausea, vaginal itching or discharge, white patches in your mouth or throat.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim)
• Hormonal birth control implants, IUDs, patches, pills, shots, and vaginal rings, and hormones such as conjugated estrogens (Premarin), estradiol (Climara, Estrace, Estraderm, Vivelle), and norethindrone (Aygestin, Micronor) (Talk to your healthcare provider if you need birth control.)
• Live vaccines
• Methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Rheumatrex, Trexall)
• Mycophenolate (CellCept, Myfortic)
• Other antibiotics such as doxycycline (Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn), and tetracycline
• Probenecid
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

If you have the liquid, store the container in the refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Do not use after the expiration date on the label (10 days).

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.