Augmentin® (amoxycillin trihydrate/potassium clavulanate)
Anti-Infectives  

Consumer Medicine Information


Product Information (Intended for Healthcare Professional)

 

Augmentin® Duo & Augmentin® Duo Forte


What are AUGMENTIN DUO and AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE tablets used for?
Before you take AUGMENTIN DUO or AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE tablets
While you are taking AUGMENTIN DUO or AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE tablets
What are the side-effects?

The following text appears in the AUGMENTIN DUO and AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE tablets Consumer Medicine Information. This information is intended for patients who have been prescribed AUGMENTIN DUO and AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE tablets. Please view Consumer Medicine Information and see your doctor for more information.

 

What are AUGMENTIN DUO and AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE tablets used for?

AUGMENTIN tablets contain two active ingredients. One of these is a penicillin called amoxycillin and the other is clavulanic acid.

AUGMENTIN tablets belong to the penicillin group of antibiotics.

AUGMENTIN tablets are used to treat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria. These infections may affect the chest (bronchitis or pneumonia), bladder (cystitis), sinuses (sinusitis), the ears (otitis media) or the skin.

AUGMENTIN tablets work by killing the bacteria that cause these infections. AUGMENTIN tablets will not work against infections caused by viruses such as colds or the flu.

Your doctor may prescribe AUGMENTIN tablets for another use. If you want more information ask your doctor.

There is no evidence that AUGMENTIN tablets are addictive.


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Before you take AUGMENTIN DUO or AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE tablets

Do not take AUGMENTIN tablets if:

  • you have had an allergic reaction to penicillin or similar types of antibiotics (such as cephalosporins) or any of the ingredients contained in AUGMENTIN DUO or AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE tablets. The ingredients are listed at the end of this leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching, difficulty in breathing and swelling of the face or tongue.
  • you have previously experienced liver problems after taking AUGMENTIN tablets or any other medicines.
  • the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
  • the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
  • Do not give this medicine to anyone else; your doctor has prescribed it specifically for you and your condition.
  • If you are not sure whether you should start taking AUGMENTIN tablets, talk to your doctor.

Tell your doctor if:

  • you have ever had an allergic reaction (such as a rash) to antibiotics or other substances in the past.

  • you are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines.

  • you have experienced liver problems after taking AUGMENTIN tablets or any other medicines.

  • you have glandular fever (mononucleosis) or leukaemia.

  • you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or are breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss with you the possible risks and benefits of taking AUGMENTIN tablets during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding. AUGMENTIN tablets can pass to your baby from breast milk.

  • you have any kidney or liver problems. The dosage of AUGMENTIN tablets may need to be changed or you may need to be given an alternative medicine.

  • you have to test your urine for sugar. AUGMENTIN tablets may affect the results of these tests.

  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. In particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
    • medicines used to treat gout (eg. probenecid or allopurinol).
    • other antibiotics. These may interfere with the actions of AUGMENTIN tablets.
    • the contraceptive pill. As with other antibiotics, you may need to use extra birth control methods (eg. condoms) while taking AUGMENTIN tablets.

  • Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you what to do when taking AUGMENTIN tablets with other medicines.



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While you are taking AUGMENTIN DUO or AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE tablets

Things you must do:

Take AUGMENTIN tablets exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as directed. Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not working as it should and change your treatment unnecessarily.

Tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist you are taking AUGMENTIN tablets before starting any other medicines. Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work.

Tell your doctor if the symptoms of your infection become worse, or do not improve within a few days of starting AUGMENTIN tablets.

Things you must not do:

Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.

Do not use to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to.

Things to be careful of:

Be careful drinking alcohol when you are taking AUGMENTIN tablets. Drinking alcohol while taking these tablets does not usually cause any problems. However, some people who drink alcohol while taking antibiotics similar to AUGMENTIN tablets have experienced adverse effects.

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how AUGMENTIN tablets affect you. Generally, these tablets do not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, AUGMENTIN tablets may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people.

If you develop severe diarrhoea either when taking AUGMENTIN tablets or within several weeks after treatment, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Do not take any medication to stop the diarrhoea (eg. Lomotil or Imodium).


 

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What are the side-effects?

 

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you think you are experiencing any side-effects or allergic reactions due to taking AUGMENTIN tablets, even if the problem is not listed below.

Like other medicines, AUGMENTIN can cause some side-effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention. Tell your doctor about any effect which is troublesome or ongoing.

MILD EFFECTS

  • Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following that are troublesome or ongoing:
    • diarrhoea (several loose bowel movements per day), indigestion, pain in the stomach, feeling sick or being sick
    • white, furry, sore tongue and mouth (oral thrush), abnormal taste
    • soreness or itching of the vagina or vaginal discharge (vaginal thrush)
    • headache, dizziness, tiredness, hot flushes
    • tooth discolouration

MORE SERIOUS EFFECTS

  • Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following during or after taking AUGMENTIN tablets:
    • itching, rash
    • dark urine or pale stools
    • yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
    • severe stomach cramps
    • severe watery or bloody diarrhoea
    • unusual bleeding or bruising

These may be symptoms of rare but serious side-effects and require urgent medical attention.

  • Stop taking AUGMENTIN tablets and immediately contact your doctor or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital if any of the following happens:
    • Wheezing, hives, severe skin reaction, fainting, swelling of limbs, face, lips, mouth or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing. These are signs of a severe allergic reaction to AUGMENTIN tablets.
    • Allergy to these antibiotics is rare.
    • Fits/seizures.

  • Rare events that have been reported with AUGMENTIN DUO AND AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE tablets include:
    • inflammation of the bowel (colitis)
    • inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
    • inflammation of the kidney (nephritis)
    • blood disorders


Remember, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these, or any other unusual events or problems occur during or after treatment with AUGMENTIN DUO and AUGMENTIN DUO FORTE TABLETS.

This is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side-effects not yet known.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any side-effects from your medicine which are not mentioned here.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side-effects. You may not experience any of them.


 

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