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Augmentin
Augmentin
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important
information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you (or for your child) only. Do not pass it on to others. It
may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects
not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
Augmentin is an antibiotic and works by killing bacteria that cause infections. It contains two different
medicines called amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Amoxicillin belongs to a group of medicines called
“penicillins” that can sometimes be stopped from working (made inactive). The other active component
(clavulanic acid) stops this from happening.
Do not take Augmentin if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor
or pharmacist before taking Augmentin.
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking
Augmentin.
In some cases, your doctor may investigate the type of bacteria that is causing your infection. Depending
on the results, you may be given a different strength of Augmentin or a different medicine.
If you are taking allopurinol (used for gout) with Augmentin, it may be more likely that you will have an
allergic skin reaction.
If you are taking probenecid (used for gout), your doctor may decide to adjust your dose of Augmentin.
If medicines to help stop blood clots (such as warfarin) are taken with Augmentin then extra blood tests
may be needed.
Augmentin can affect how methotrexate (a medicine used to treat cancer or rheumatic diseases) works.
Augmentin can affect how mycophenolate mofetil (a medicine used to prevent the rejection of
transplanted organs) works.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or
pharmacist if you are not sure.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The side
effects below may happen with this medicine.
Allergic reactions:
skin rash
inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) which may be visible as red or purple raised spots on the
skin, but can affect other parts of the body
fever, joint pain, swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin
swelling, sometimes of the face or throat (angioedema), causing difficulty in breathing
collapse.
Contact a doctor immediately if you get any of these symptoms. Stop taking Augmentin.
Inflammation of large intestine
Inflammation of the large intestine, causing watery diarrhoea usually with blood and mucus, stomach pain
and/or fever.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible for advice if you get these symptoms.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the
last day of that month.
Tablets supplied in pouches should be used within 30 days of opening the pouch.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to
throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Manufacturer:
Glaxo Wellcome Production, Z.I. de la Peyenniere, 53100 Mayenne, France.
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:
Austria – Augmentin
Belgium - Augmentin
Bulgaria - Augmentin
Cyprus – Augmentin
Czech Republic – Augmentin
Estonia - Augmentin
Finland – Augmentin
Germany – Augmentan
Greece - Augmentin
Hungary – Augmentin Duo
Iceland - Augmentin
Ireland – Augmentin
Italy – Augmentin
Latvia - Augmentin
Lithuania – Augmentin
Luxembourg - Augmentin
Malta – Augmentin
Netherlands - Augmentin
Poland - Augmentin
Portugal – Augmentin Duo
Romania – Augmentin
Slovak Republic – Augmentin
Slovenia –Augmentin
Spain – Augmentine, Clavumox
United Kingdom – Augmentin
Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They have no effect against infections
caused by viruses.
Sometimes an infection caused by bacteria does not respond to a course of an antibiotic. One of
the commonest reasons for this to occur is because the bacteria causing the infection are
resistant to the antibiotic that is being taken. This means that they can survive and even multiply
despite the antibiotic.
Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics for many reasons. Using antibiotics carefully can
help to reduce the chance of bacteria becoming resistant to them.
When your doctor prescribes a course of an antibiotic it is intended to treat only your current
illness. Paying attention to the following advice will help prevent the emergence of resistant
bacteria that could stop the antibiotic working.
1. It is very important that you take the antibiotic at the right dose, at the right times and for
the right number of days. Read the instructions on the label and if you do not understand
anything ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain.
2. You should not take an antibiotic unless it has been prescribed specifically for you and
you should use it only to treat the infection for which it was prescribed.
3. You should not take antibiotics that have been prescribed for other people even if they
had an infection that was similar to yours.
4. You should not give antibiotics that were prescribed for you to other people.
5. If you have any antibiotic left over when you have taken the course as directed by your
doctor you should take the the remainder to a pharmacy for appropriate disposal.