home > drugs a-z list > augmentin es (amoxicillin clavulanate potassium) drug center > augmentin es (amoxicillin clavulanate potassium) drug - patient how to take

Recommended Topic Related To:

Augmentin ES

Sinus Infection »

Sinus infection facts

  • Sinus infections are caused by infections from a pathogenic microorganism (virus, bacterium, or fungus), which grows within a sinus and causes intermittent blockage of the sinus ostium.
  • Most people do not transmit sinus infections; most clinicians agree that except for rare instances, sinus infections are not contagious but arise from mainly viruses and bacteria that, by chance, contaminate a person who sinuses support their proliferation because of minor, and rarely, major abnormalities in the person's sinus tissue (for example, swelling, inflammation, abnormal mucus production, and rarely, facial or nasal trauma).
  • Sinusitis is inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose. Sinusitis can be caused by infection, but also can be caused by allergies and chemical or particulate irritation of the sinuses.
  • Sinusitis may be classified in several ways such as acute sinus infec...

Read the Sinus Infection article »

Augmentin ES

font size

Augmentin ES Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin ES)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amoxicillin or clavulanate potassium, or if you have ever had liver problems caused by this medication.

Do not use if you are allergic to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, tell your doctor if you have:

  • liver disease (or a history of hepatitis or jaundice);
  • kidney disease;
  • mononucleosis; or
  • if you are allergic to a cephalosporin antibiotic, such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The liquid and chewable tablet forms of this medication may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using these forms of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin ES)?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

If you switch from one tablet form to another (regular, chewable, or extended-release tablet), take only the new tablet form and strength prescribed for you. The strength of clavulanate potassium is not the same among the different tablet forms, even though the amount of amoxicillin may be the same as in the tablet you were using before. This medicine may not be as effective or could be harmful if you do not use the exact tablet form your doctor has prescribed.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Take the medicine at the start of a meal to reduce stomach upset.

The Augmentin tablet should be swallowed whole.

The Augmentin Chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing. Do not swallow a chewable tablet whole.

Do not crush or chew the Augmentin XR (extended-release) tablet. Swallow the pill whole, or break the pill in half and take both halves one at a time. If you have trouble swallowing a whole or half pill, talk with your doctor about using another form of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.

Shake the liquid form of this medicine well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium should be taken at evenly spaced intervals as prescribed. It is important to take amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium regularly to get the most benefit.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

This medication can cause you to have false results with certain medical tests, including urine glucose (sugar) tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium.

Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the liquid form of this medicine in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused liquid after 10 days.

Additional Augmentin ES Information

Augmentin ES - User Reviews

Augmentin ES User Reviews

Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.

Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Augmentin ES sorted by most helpful. Patient Discussions FAQs

See User Reviews

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Privacy Policy

Women's Health

Find out what women really need.


From WebMD

Infectious Disease Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors