Description and Brand Names
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
US Brand Name
- Amoclan
- Augmentin
- Augmentin ES-600
- Augmentin XR
Canadian Brand Name
- Alti-Amoxi Clav
- Apo-Amoxi Clav
- Novo-Clavamoxin 125
- Novo-Clavamoxin 250
- Ratio-Amoxi Clav 250f
Descriptions
Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body (eg, ear, lungs, sinus, skin, urinary tract).
Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination is an antibiotic that belongs to the group of medicines known as penicillins and beta-lactamase inhibitors. It works by killing the bacteria and preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet, Chewable
- Tablet
- Powder for Suspension
- Tablet, Extended Release
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of amoxicillin and clavulanate chewable tablets and oral suspension in children. However, newborns and infants 3 months of age and younger have incompletely developed kidney functions, which may need a lower dose of this medicine.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of amoxicillin and clavulanate oral suspension in children 3 months of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 3 months of age.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of amoxicillin and clavulanate tablets and extended-release tablets in children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children weighing less than 40 kg.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of amoxicillin and clavulanate combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving amoxicillin and clavulanate combination.
Breastfeeding
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
-
Apixaban
-
Chlortetracycline
-
Cholera Vaccine, Live
-
Dabigatran Etexilate
-
Demeclocycline
-
Desogestrel
-
Dienogest
-
Doxycycline
-
Drospirenone
-
Edoxaban
-
Eravacycline
-
Estradiol
-
Ethinyl Estradiol
-
Ethynodiol
-
Gestodene
-
Levonorgestrel
-
Lymecycline
-
Meclocycline
-
Mestranol
-
Methacycline
-
Methotrexate
-
Minocycline
-
Mycophenolate Mofetil
-
Nomegestrol
-
Norethindrone
-
Norgestimate
-
Norgestrel
-
Oxytetracycline
-
Probenecid
-
Rivaroxaban
-
Rolitetracycline
-
Sarecycline
-
Sulfasalazine
-
Tetracycline
-
Tigecycline
-
Venlafaxine
-
Warfarin
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Diarrhea or
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Liver disease—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
-
Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
-
Kidney disease, severe—The extended-release tablets should not be used in patients with this condition.
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Liver disease (eg, cholestatic jaundice), history of or
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Mononucleosis ("mono")—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
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Phenylketonuria (PKU)—The chewable tablet and oral suspension contain phenylalanine, which can make this condition worse.
Proper Use
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
You may take this medicine with or without food. However, it is best to take this medicine at the start of a meal or snack to avoid an upset stomach.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
If you are using the chewable tablets, chew the tablet completely before swallowing.
If you or your child are unable to swallow the tablets whole, you may use the oral liquid.
There are certain flavors that can be mixed with the oral suspension to make it taste better. If you or your child do not like the taste of this medicine, ask your pharmacist about these flavorings.
Shake the oral liquid well before using. Measure the oral liquid medicine with the provided oral dosing spoon or dropper. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. Rinse the dosing spoon or dropper with water after each use.
Augmentin® chewable tablets and tablets are not the same and they contain different doses. Do not substitute these two dosage forms of this medicine.
You may split the extended-release tablets in half along the score line.
Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
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For less serious bacterial infections:
-
For oral dosage form (chewable tablets or suspension):
-
Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—125 to 250 milligrams (mg) amoxicillin and 31.25 to 62.5 mg clavulanate per 5 milliliters (mL) every 8 hours.
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Children 3 months of age and older and weighing less than 40 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 20 mg per kg of body weight per day every 8 hours or 25 mg per kg of body weight per day every 12 hours.
-
Children younger than 3 months of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 30 mg per kg of body weight per day every 12 hours.
-
For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
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Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—1000 milligrams (mg) amoxicillin and 62.5 mg clavulanate every 12 hours for 10 days.
-
Children weighing less than 40 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
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For oral dosage form (tablets):
-
Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—250 milligrams (mg) amoxicillin every 8 hours or 500 mg of amoxicillin every 12 hours.
-
Children weighing less than 40 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
-
For serious bacterial infections:
-
For oral dosage form (chewable tablet or suspension):
-
Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—125 to 250 milligrams (mg) amoxicillin and 31.25 to 62.5 mg clavulanate per 5 milliliters (mL) every 8 hours, or 200 to 400 mg amoxicillin and 28.5 to 57 mg clavulanate per 5 mL every 12 hours.
-
Children 3 months of age and older and weighing less than 40 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 40 mg per kg of body weight per day every 8 hours or 45 mg per kg of body weight per day every 12 hours.
-
Children younger than 3 months of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 30 mg per kg of body weight per day every 12 hours.
-
For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
-
Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—1000 milligrams (mg) amoxicillin and 62.5 mg clavulanate every 12 hours for 7 to 10 days.
-
Children weighing less than 40 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
-
For oral dosage form (suspension):
-
Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—Use of tablet is recommended.
-
Children 3 months of age and older and weighing less than 40 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 90 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, taken every 12 hours.
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Weighing 36 kg—13.5 milliliters (mL) 2 times a day.
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Weighing 32 kg—12 mL 2 times a day.
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Weighing 28 kg—10.5 mL 2 times a day.
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Weighing 24 kg—9 mL 2 times a day.
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Weighing 20 kg—7.5 mL 2 times a day.
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Weighing 16 kg—6 mL 2 times a day.
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Weighing 12 kg—4.5 mL 2 times a day.
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Weighing 8kg—3 mL 2 times a day.
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Children younger than 3 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
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For oral dosage form (tablets):
-
Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—500 milligrams (mg) amoxicillin and 125 mg clavulanate every 8 hours or 875 mg amoxicillin and 125 mg clavulanate every 12 hours.
-
Children weighing less than 40 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Store the chewable tablets, regular tablets, and extended-release tablets at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Store the oral liquid in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medicine after 10 days. Keep from freezing.
Precautions
Your doctor will check your or your child's progress while using this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after taking this medicine.
Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness while you are receiving this medicine.
This medicine may cause stomach or bowel problems, including drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome (DIES). It may occur 1 to 4 hours after taking this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, cold clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, fever, pale skin, stomach pain, cramps, or tenderness, sweating, unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness or feeling or sluggish, unusual tiredness or weakness, or watery or bloody diarrhea.
Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
In some young patients, tooth discoloration may occur while using this medicine. The teeth may appear to have brown, yellow, or gray stains. To help prevent this, brush and floss your teeth regularly. Visit your dentist regularly for teeth cleanings.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination may decrease the effects of some oral contraceptives (birth control pills). Use another form of birth control to avoid getting pregnant. Other forms include condoms, a diaphragm, contraceptive foam, or jelly.
Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the provider that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
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Hives or welts
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itching
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itching of the vagina or genital area
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pain during sexual intercourse
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redness of the skin
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skin rash
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thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
Rare
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Bloody or cloudy urine
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fever
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greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
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seizures
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swelling of the feet or lower legs
Incidence not known
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Back, leg, or stomach pains
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black, hairy tongue
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black, tarry stools
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bleeding gums
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blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
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bloating
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blood in the stools
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bloody nose
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chest pain or tightness
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chills
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clay-colored stools
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cough or hoarseness
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cracks in the skin
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dark urine
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diarrhea
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diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
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difficulty with breathing
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difficulty with moving
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difficulty with swallowing
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dizziness
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fast heartbeat
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fever with or without chills
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general body swelling
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general feeling of tiredness or weakness
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headache
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heavier menstrual periods
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increased thirst
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joint or muscle pain
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large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
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light-colored stools
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loss of appetite
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loss of heat from the body
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lower back or side pain
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muscle stiffness
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nausea or vomiting
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pain
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pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
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painful or difficult urination
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pale skin
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pinpoint red spots on the skin
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puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
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rash
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red skin lesions, often with a purple center
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red, irritated eyes
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red, swollen skin
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scaly skin
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sore throat
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sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
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stomach cramps or tenderness
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swollen glands
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trouble breathing
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unpleasant breath odor
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unusual bleeding or bruising
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unusual tiredness or weakness
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unusual weight loss
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upper right abdominal or stomach pain
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vomiting of blood
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white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
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white patches with diaper rash
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yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
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Cloudy urine
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diarrhea
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greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
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sleepiness
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stomach pain
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Rare
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Anxiety
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dry mouth
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hyperventilation
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irregular heartbeats
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irritability
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restlessness
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shaking
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sleeplessness
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tooth discoloration
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trouble sitting still
-
trouble with sleeping
Incidence not known
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Burning feeling in the chest or stomach
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indigestion
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redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
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stomach upset
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swelling or inflammation of the mouth
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/ar/drugs-supplements/amoxicillin-and-clavulanate-oral-route/precautions/drg-20072709