Does Taking Augmentin Cause Diarrhea?

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is a common side effect of Augmentin, a brand-name prescription drug used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body. It is more common than other medications, with nearly 1 in 10 people who take it developing diarrhea. Mild cases usually go away shortly after stopping treatment, but diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days or occurs with a fever could be a symptom of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection.

The rate of diarrhea when using Augmentin ranges from 3 to 34 depending on the dose regimen. More rarely, patients may develop colitis, which can include severe diarrhea that doesn’t go away, abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, and vomiting. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell the doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Extended-release tablets have been most frequently associated with diarrhea (14.5), vaginal mycosis (3.3), nausea (2.1), and loose stools. Common side effects of Augmentin include gastrointestinal symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea), fatigue, and yeast infection. Common side effects of Augmentin include abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, gas, headache, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bloody or prolonged diarrhea, and other related symptoms.

In summary, Augmentin is a medication used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body, including the ear, lungs, sinus, skin, and urinary tract. Diarrhea is the most common side effect of Augmentin, and it is important to consult a doctor if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.

Should I stop taking antibiotics if I get diarrhea?

Treatments to cope with mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea. If you have mild diarrhea, your symptoms likely will clear up within a few days after your antibiotic treatment ends. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to stop your antibiotic therapy until your diarrhea subsides.

Treatment to fight harmful bacteria causing C. difficile infection. If you develop C. difficile infection, your doctor will likely stop whatever antibiotic you’re currently taking, and might prescribe antibiotics specifically targeted to kill the C. difficile bacteria causing your diarrhea. You may also be asked to stop taking stomach-acid-suppressing drugs. For people with this type of infection, diarrhea symptoms may return and require repeated treatment.

Drink enough fluids. To counter a mild loss of fluids from diarrhea, drink more water or drinks that contain electrolytes. For a more severe loss, drink fluids that contain water, sugar and salt — such as oral rehydration solution. Try broth or fruit juice that isn’t high in sugar. Avoid beverages that are high in sugar or contain alcohol or caffeine, such as coffee, tea and colas, which can worsen your symptoms.

How long does Augmentin cause diarrhea?

About 1 in 5 people who take antibiotics develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Most often, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is mild and requires no treatment. The diarrhea typically clears up within a few days after you stop taking the antibiotic. More-serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea requires stopping or sometimes switching antibiotics.

For most people, antibiotic-associated diarrhea causes mild signs and symptoms, such as:

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is likely to begin about a week after you start taking an antibiotic. Sometimes, however, diarrhea and other symptoms don’t appear until days or even weeks after you’ve finished antibiotic treatment.

Why can’t you lay down after taking Augmentin?

Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine, to make sure the pills have gone through the esophagus into the stomach.

Notify your healthcare provider if you experience painful swallowing or feel that the medicine is sticking in your throat.

What is the most common side effect of Augmentin?

Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and skin rashes are common Augmentin side effects. They’re generally mild and go away after the antibiotic is finished. Rare but possibly serious Augmentin side effects are also possible. Liver problems and blistering skin rashes generally need medical help.

Can I take Augmentin on an empty stomach?

Shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Take this medication with a meal or snack as directed by the doctor. Depending on your specific product, this medication is usually taken every 8 or 12 hours.

The dosage is based on your age, weight, medical condition, and response to treatment.

For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time(s) every 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 result in a return of the infection.

Tell the doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Is 3 days of Augmentin enough?

• 3-day courses are equally effective as 5- to 10-day treatment courses
• Encourage practitioners and patients to use trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for 3 days and nitrofurantoin for 5 days
• Note: patients with complicated UTIs, patients who are pregnant, and elderly patients will still require longer lasting courses

• Uncomplicated infections can be treated with a 5-day course versus a 10-day course
• Complicated infections or immunosuppressed should receive longer courses (typically 10 days or longer)

• Group A strep will require 10 days of amoxicillin/penicillin
• Alternative to 10-day oral treatment is a one-time intramuscular dose of benzathine penicillin G
• 10-day treatment with a first-generation cephalosporin for all patients except anaphylactic penicillin allergic patients
• 5 days of azithromycin in patients with an anaphylactic allergy to penicillin

Can I stop Augmentin after 3 days?

Can I stop taking Augmentin after 3 days?. You should not discontinue Augmentin if you start feeling better in 2-3 days. Be sure to finish the course of antibiotics as directed by your healthcare provider. This is necessary to completely treat the bacterial infection and prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics.

How often should Augmentin be taken?. Doctors usually prescribe Augmentin to be taken every 12 hours (twice a day) or every 8 hours (three times a day). The duration of the treatment depends on the type of infection.

Can I take Augmentin on an empty stomach?. Healthcare providers advise that you take Augmentin at the start of a meal. This helps the medication to be absorbed better.

How do you prevent diarrhea when taking Augmentin?

Beyond the specifics above, good old-fashioned advice for treating diarrhea still applies. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and use rehydrating beverages high in electrolytes if needed. Avoid alcohol and caffeine if they’re making your diarrhea worse. Keep in mind alcohol may actually cause severe reactions while you are taking certain antibiotics, so check the label for that information, as well. Eat a more bland diet than you might normally eat.

It’s better to use caution than get hit with unpleasant side effects.

“Common sense would say you are going to disturb the natural balance with antibiotics,” Dr. Rabovsky says, “so anything else that causes you GI symptoms could make side effects even worse.”

Is Augmentin a very strong antibiotic?

Is Augmentin a very strong antibiotic?. Augmentin can fight against a broader range of bacteria than amoxicillin alone. Therefore, Augmentin may be considered a stronger antibiotic than amoxicillin. The potency of the antibiotic depends on the infection and the type of bacteria causing the infection.

What antibiotic is stronger than amoxicillin?. Certain antibiotics may be preferred over amoxicillin depending on the infection being treated and the type of bacteria causing the infection. Amoxicillin is effective for ear infections caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, but oral cephalosporins may be preferred for ear infections caused by Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae. Augmentin would be considered stronger than amoxicillin for treating infections caused by strains of bacteria that produce beta-lactamase.

Can I use amoxicillin or Augmentin while pregnant?. Amoxicillin and Augmentin are both in Pregnancy Category B. These antibiotics are considered safe to take while pregnant.

What should I avoid while taking Augmentin?

Augmentin (amoxicillin / clavulanate) is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections. It can interact with alcohol and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). It can also interact with two gout medications: probenecid and allopurinol (Zyloprim). But it’s unlikely to interact with birth control pills.

Should Augmentin be taken on an empty stomach?

Take AUGMENTIN at the start of a meal. This makes it less likely to cause stomach upset or discomfort. days without another check-up by the doctor. AUGMENTIN should be taken regularly at the same time each day.