The Augmentin dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

• the type and severity of the condition you're using Augmentin to treat
• your age
• other medical conditions you may have

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. However, if it's just a few hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one on schedule. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at a time. This can cause dangerous side effect. Augmentin side effects Augmentin can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Augmentin. This list does not include all possible side effects. For more information on the possible side effects of Augmentin, or for tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of Augmentin include:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• skin rash
• vaginitis (caused by problems such as yeast infection)
• vomiting

These side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they're more severe or don't go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. ?

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you're having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Liver problems. It's not common, but some people who take Augmentin can develop liver damage. This seems to be more common in seniors and those who take Augmentin for a long time. Usually these problems go away when the medication is stopped, but in other cases, they may be severe and require treatment. Tell your doctor if you develop symptoms of liver problems while taking Augmentin. Your doctor may do blood tests to check for liver damage. Symptoms can include:
  • stomach pain
  • fatigue
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

• Intestinal infection. Some people who take antibiotics, including Augmentin, can develop an intestinal infection called Clostridium difficile. Tell your doctor if you develop symptoms of this infection. Symptoms can include:
  • severe diarrhea that doesn't go away
  • stomach pain or cramping
  • nausea
  • blood in your stool

• Allergic reaction. Serious allergic reactions can occur in some people who take Augmentin. This is more likely to happen in people with a penicillin allergy. You may not be able to take this medication again if you've ever had a serious allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal. If you've had a reaction to this medication in the past, talk to your doctor before taking it again. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:
  • severe skin rash
  • hives
  • swelling of the lips, tongue, throat
  • trouble breathing

Rash

Many medications, including Augmentin, can cause rash in some people. This is a common side effect of Augmentin, which is a penicillin-type antibiotic. This class of antibiotics causes skin rash more often than most other kinds of antibiotics. Rash occurs in about 3 percent of people who take Augmentin. Raised, itchy, white, or red bumps that occur after the first couple doses of Augmentin may indicate an allergy to the medication. If this occurs, contact your doctor. If you have an allergic reaction, you may need to be treated with a different antibiotic. Rashes that develop several days after you take the medication and appear as flat, red patches often indicate a different kind of rash that's not caused by an allergic reaction. These usually go away on their own after a few days. ?

Fatigue

Fatigue is not a common side effect of Augmentin. However, it's common for people who are fighting infections to feel fatigued, tired, or weak. If you become fatigued after starting Augmentin, or your symptoms are not improving, talk to your doctor.

Yeast infection

Vaginal yeast infections can sometimes occur after treatment with antibiotics, including Augmentin. If you've never had a yeast infection before and think you might have one, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Drinking alcohol while taking Augmentin may increase your risk of certain side effects, or make your side effects worse. Examples of side effects that might be more likely to occur or worsen with alcohol use include:

• vomiting
• dizziness
• stomach upset
• liver problems

Augmentin and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Augmentin. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Augmentin. Different drug interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. Before taking Augmentin, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Anticoagulant drugs Taking Augmentin with oral anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin (warexx) might increase the effects of the anticoagulants. This could result in increased bleeding. If you take an anticoagulant drug with Augmentin, your doctor may need to monitor your bleeding risk more often. Allopurinol Taking Augmentin with allopurinol (Zyloric) might increase your risk of developing a skin rash. Oral contraceptives Some antibiotics, including Augmentin, might decrease how well oral contraceptives (such as the birth control pill) work. However, research on this interaction is inconsistent and controversial. Until more is known about this potential interaction, consider using a backup method of contraception while taking Augmentin. How to take augmentin Take Augmentin exactly according to your doctor's instructions. You might start to feel better before you finish your entire treatment. But even if you do feel better, don't stop taking Augmentin. In many cases, it's important to finish the entire treatment to ensure that the infection does not come back. If you're feeling better and want to stop Augmentin early, be sure to ask your doctor if it's safe to do so. ?

Taking Augmentin with food

You can take Augmentin on an empty stomach or with a meal. Taking it with a meal may reduce stomach upset and help your body absorb the drug better.