Augmentin (co-amoxiclav)

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Diarrhoea.
- Indigestion.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Overgrowth of the yeast Candida, which may cause infection such as thrush.
- Allergic skin reactions such as rash, itching.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).
- Blood disorders.
- Tooth discolouration, mainly with the suspension - this can be removed by brushing.
- Inflammation of the wall of a vein with a blood clot forming in the affected segment of vein (thrombophlebitis) - injection only.
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Hyperactivity.
- Convulsions.
- Severe allergic reactions, eg anaphylaxis.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

There may be an increased risk of experiencing a rash as a side effect of this medicine if you are also taking allopurinol.

Amoxicillin may decrease the removal of methotrexate from the body, increasing the risk of side effects. If you are taking methotrexate you should be well monitored by your doctor while you are taking a course of this antibiotic.

Probenecid increases the blood level of amoxicillin, and people taking probenecid may be prescribed a lower dose of this medicine.

Amoxicillin may rarely alter the anti-blood-clotting effects of anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin. Your doctor may want to monitor your blood clotting time more frequently if you are taking an anticoagulant in combination with this medicine.

If you are taking a combined oral contraceptive pill or are using contraceptive patches, there may be a very low risk that this antibiotic may make it less effective at preventing pregnancy. Although the risk of this is very low, the personal and ethical consequences of an unwanted pregnancy can be very serious. For this reason, the Family Planning Association recommends that women using a combined contraceptive pill or patch should use an extra method of contraception (eg condoms) while taking a short course of broad-spectrum antibiotic, and for seven days after finishing the course. If the seven days run beyond the end of a pill packet, a new packet should be started without a break (in the case of ED pills the inactive tablets should be omitted). If the seven days run beyond the 3 weeks of patch treatment, a new treatment cycle should be started immediately without a patch-free break.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Co-amoxiclav tablets, suspension and injection are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

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