Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanic potassium) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain bacterial infections. Augmentin can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include diarrhea and nausea.

Augmentin is used in adults and children to treat infections caused by certain kinds of bacteria. Examples of these infections include:

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Augmentin can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Note: A different form of Augmentin, Augmentin ES-600, is available. It comes as a powder for making a liquid suspension and is used to treat certain infections in some children. This article only covers the side effects of Augmentin. For information about Augmentin ES-600 and its side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Augmentin treatment. Examples of Augmentin’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Augmentin include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Augmentin unless your doctor recommends it.

Augmentin may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Augmentin, visit MedWatch.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Although serious side effects caused by Augmentin are rare, they may occur in some people.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Augmentin include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Augmentin, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Augmentin side effects in children are generally expected to be similar to those in adults. Drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome may be more likely to develop in children than in adults.

This syndrome is a type of allergic reaction that can cause persistent vomiting after a dose of Augmentin. Other symptoms are also possible, such as pale skin, lack of energy, and diarrhea. If your child is vomiting after taking Augmentin, contact their doctor. If the symptoms seem severe, get emergency medical help by calling 911 or your local emergency number.

In addition, studies of the drug also reported that diaper rash occurred in young children taking Augmentin.

After Augmentin became available on the market, brown, yellow, and gray tooth stains were reported in children taking the drug. In most cases, toothbrushing or dental cleaning can clear or reduce the staining.

For more information about side effects of Augmentin in children, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about the side effects of Augmentin.

What are the side effects of Augmentin in females?

Vaginitis (inflammation and irritation of the vagina) is a possible side effect of Augmentin in females. In studies, this side effect was rare.

Symptoms of vaginitis can include:

  • redness or other color changes, swelling, and irritation of the genital area
  • vaginal discharge
  • pain or discomfort during sexual activity or urination

Yeast infection is another possible side effect of Augmentin, which can cause similar symptoms.

Otherwise, Augmentin’s side effects are generally expected to be similar in females and males.

Note: In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Are the side effects of the Augmentin 250 mg/62.5 mg/5 mL liquid suspension different from side effects of the Augmentin 875 mg/125 mg tablets?

The different forms of Augmentin (tablet, chewable tablet, liquid suspension) are expected to cause the same side effects since all forms contain the same active ingredients. However, you might be more likely to have side effects if you’re taking a higher strength of Augmentin.

875 milligrams (mg)/125 mg is the highest tablet strength available, and 250 mg/62.5 mg/5 milliliters (mL) is the second-highest strength of the suspension. Your doctor will determine the best Augmentin dosage for you.

If you have questions about the side effects or forms of Augmentin, talk with your doctor.

How long do side effects of Augmentin last?

It depends. The length of time Augmentin’s side effects may last can vary. But most usually go away quickly.

For example, some people taking this drug may have nausea or abdominal pain. These side effects usually go away on their own after a few hours.

Diarrhea is the most common side effect of Augmentin. 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. This is a serious side effect of Augmentin. For more information, see the “Side effects explained” section.

If you have side effects from taking Augmentin, tell your doctor. They can tell you how long the side effects might last and suggest treatments or ways to ease your symptoms.

Does Augmentin cause fatigue?

No, Augmentin should not cause fatigue. This side effect was not reported in studies of the drug.

But it’s not uncommon for many infections to cause fatigue, including ones Augmentin is used to treat. Fatigue can also be a symptom of liver problems, which can occur from taking Augmentin.

If you have fatigue during treatment or that doesn’t go away after you stop treatment, talk with your doctor.

How can I manage and reduce the side effects of Augmentin?

Knowing what side effects Augmentin may cause, as well as their symptoms, can help you manage any that you may develop during treatment.

Some of Augmentin’s more common side effects are related to the digestive system. These include nausea and diarrhea. You can usually reduce these side effects by taking your Augmentin dose with a meal or a snack. Taking probiotics between your Augmentin doses might help prevent or reduce mild diarrhea caused by the antibiotic.

Before you start taking Augmentin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about Augmentin’s side effects. They can tell you about symptoms to look for and give you tips for reducing side effects.

Learn more about some of the side effects Augmentin may cause.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a possible side effect of antibiotics such as Augmentin. While anxiety was not reported in studies of Augmentin, people have reported this side effect after the drug became available on the market.

Symptoms of anxiety can include:

What might help

If you have any symptoms of anxiety while taking Augmentin, let your doctor know. They can provide tips for managing this side effect.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea was the most commonly reported side effect in studies of Augmentin. Diarrhea caused by Augmentin is usually mild.

In rare cases, diarrhea can be a symptom of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. This is a serious side effect of Augmentin. For more information, see the “Clostridioides difficile infection” section.

What might help

To help prevent or relieve diarrhea caused by Augmentin, try taking your dose with food.

Over-the-counter medications such as Imodium A-D (loperamide) may help relieve your diarrhea. But before trying any medication or supplement, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe for you to take during Augmentin treatment.

If you have diarrhea, tell your doctor. They can suggest ways to ease this side effect or recommend treatments. But if you also have a fever with diarrhea, or diarrhea that won’t stop, contact your doctor right away. They’ll do tests to see if you have a C. diff infection and provide treatment if needed.

Dizziness

Dizziness is a possible side effect of Augmentin. Though not reported in studies, this side effect was reported after the drug became available on the market.

Dizziness associated with Augmentin is usually mild and goes away on its own.

Symptoms of dizziness include:

What might help

If you feel dizzy, try sitting down until the dizziness passes. If you lie down, keeping your head elevated may help.

Dizziness can be a symptom of dehydration, so try to drink plenty of fluids during Augmentin treatment. You may also want to avoid drinking alcohol, which can worsen dehydration and dizziness.

If you have severe dizziness or dizziness with shortness of breath or swelling of your face, lips, or tongue, seek emergency medical attention right away. These could be symptoms of an allergic reaction. For more information, see the “Allergic reaction” section.

Clostridioides difficile infection

Taking any antibiotic, including Augmentin, can cause a gut infection called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff).

A small amount of C. diff bacteria is usually present in the gut along with healthy bacteria that aid digestion. Augmentin and other antibiotics can kill both healthy and unhealthy bacteria. Killing healthy bacteria may allow C. diff to grow, leading to a C. diff infection.

A C. diff infection can happen during Augmentin treatment or soon after you stop taking the antibiotic. In rare cases, this side effect has been reported over 2 months after stopping antibiotic treatment.

Symptoms of C. diff infection include:

What might help

If you have diarrhea that won’t stop during your Augmentin treatment, contact your doctor right away. They’ll likely examine you and do tests to determine whether you have a C. diff infection.

If you have a C. diff infection, your doctor will have you stop taking Augmentin. They’ll also prescribe a different antibiotic to treat this new infection. In severe cases, C. diff infections can lead to serious gut damage that may require surgery, but this is rare.

For more information about C. diff infections, talk with your doctor.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Augmentin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, discoloration, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

Drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome is a type of allergic reaction that’s possible with Augmentin. It causes persistent vomiting and possibly other symptoms such as pale skin, lack of energy, and diarrhea. This may be more likely to occur in children than in adults.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Augmentin, they’ll decide if you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as severe vomiting, swelling, or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Augmentin, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Augmentin treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Augmentin affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Augmentin may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions or contraindications. Other factors may also affect whether Augmentin is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Augmentin. This will help them determine whether this antibiotic is a good treatment option for you. The following list includes factors to consider.

Liver problems: In rare cases, Augmentin can cause liver problems, including liver damage. If you already have liver problems, taking Augmentin can worsen them. Before you start taking Augmentin, tell your doctor about any liver problems you have. They’ll let you know if this drug is safe for you to take.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Augmentin, similar kinds of antibiotics, or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe these drugs. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Mononucleosis: Augmentin can cause a skin rash in people with mononucleosis (mono). If you have mononucleosis, you should not take Augmentin. Your doctor may recommend another treatment option for your condition.

Fungal or bacterial overgrowth: Taking Augmentin can result in an increase of certain bacteria or fungi. This may lead to a superinfection. With superinfections, you have an infection following or alongside the infection you’re taking Augmentin to treat. If you have a superinfection, your doctor will likely have you stop taking Augmentin. They’ll also have you take medication to treat the superinfection.

You can refer to this Augmentin interactions article for more information.

Alcohol and Augmentin

There are no known interactions between Augmentin and alcohol.

But alcohol can cause side effects similar to those caused by Augmentin. Some of these side effects include:

  • headache
  • abdominal pain
  • vomiting
  • dizziness
  • liver problems

Consuming alcohol can worsen or increase your risk of having these side effects during Augmentin treatment.

If you drink alcohol and have questions about it while taking Augmentin, talk with your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Augmentin

There haven’t been enough studies of Augmentin during pregnancy to know if it’s safe to take while pregnant. Doctors may prescribe Augmentin to someone who’s pregnant if there’s a clear need.

Before you start taking Augmentin, let your doctor know if you’re pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. They’ll determine if Augmentin is safe for you to take.

Small amounts of Augmentin can pass into breast milk. Although taking Augmentin while breastfeeding is considered safe, doing so may cause side effects in a child who’s breastfed. These can include:

  • diarrhea
  • restlessness

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, let your doctor know before starting Augmentin. They’ll discuss with you the risks and benefits of breastfeeding during treatment.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.