amoxicillin/clavulanic acid chewable tablet – oral, Augmentin

Medication Uses How To Use Side Effects Precautions Drug Interactions Overdose Notes Missed Dose StorageUSES: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid is a combination penicillin-type antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections. Unnecessary use or misuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness. HOW TO USE: Chew the tablets thoroughly and swallow, followed by a full glass of water. Take this medication with a meal or snack as directed. Depending on your specific product, this medication is usually taken every 8 or 12 hours. The dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, and response to treatment. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a return of the infection. Tell the doctor if your condition persists or worsens. SIDE EFFECTS: Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell the doctor or pharmacist promptly. Taking this medication with food will help to reduce stomach upset. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell the doctor immediately if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, easy bruising/bleeding, new signs of infection, unusual tiredness. This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a type of resistant bacteria. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have any of the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell the doctor immediately if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new yeast infection. Contact the doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. Amoxicillin can commonly cause a mild rash that is usually not serious. However, get medical help right away if you develop any rash. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact the doctor or pharmacist. In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA. In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada.

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to amoxicillin or clavulanic acid; or to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell the doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, viral infection. This medication may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid aspartame, ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this medication safely. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use. This product may cause live bacterial vaccines not to work as well. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Products that may interact with this drug include: methotrexate. Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are also taking probenecid. Probenecid slows down the removal of amoxicillin from your body, resulting in higher levels of this antibiotic in your bloodstream. For certain types of difficult-to-treat infections, your doctor may prescribe these 2 medications together in order to achieve this effect. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Although most antibiotics probably do not affect hormonal birth control, some antibiotics may decrease their effectiveness. This could cause pregnancy. Examples include rifamycins such as rifampin or rifabutin. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while using this antibiotic. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

QUESTION

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe vomiting, persistent diarrhea, change in the amount of urine. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless your doctor directs you to do so. A different medication may be necessary in that case. With prolonged treatment, medical tests may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult the doctor for more details. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details. Information last revised March 2013.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.