Brand Names: Augmentin, Augmentin ES-600, Augmentin XR

Generic Name: amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Pronunciation: am OKS i sil in KLAV yoo la nate po TAS ee um)

• What is amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)?
• What are the possible side effects of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)?
• What is the most important information I should know about amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)?
• How should I take amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Augmentin)?
• What happens if I overdose (Augmentin)?
• What should I avoid while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)?
• What other drugs will affect amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)?

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called penicillins. Amoxicillin fights bacteria in the body.

Clavulanate potassium is a form of clavulanic acid, which is similar to penicillin. Clavulanate potassium fights bacteria that is often resistant to penicillins and other antibiotics.

The combination of 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.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it;
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
• agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure (convulsions);
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• fever, sore throat, and headache with severe blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild diarrhea, gas, stomach pain;
• nausea or vomiting;
• headache;
• skin rash or itching;
• white patches in your mouth or throat; or
• vaginal yeast infection (itching or discharge).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amoxicillin or clavulanate potassium, or if you have ever had liver problems caused by this medication.

Do not use if you are allergic to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.

Before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, tell your doctor if you have liver disease (or a history of hepatitis or jaundice), kidney disease, or mononucleosis, or if you are allergic to a cephalosporin antibiotic, such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), 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. This medicine 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 amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.