Co amoxiclav how does it work

However, as with all medicines, make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding before you start treatment with this antibiotic. Co-amoxiclav passes into breast milk in small amounts. Although this is unlikely to have any harmful effects on a nursing infant, it could theoretically affect the natural bacteria found in the baby's mouth or gut.

Let your doctor know if your baby develops diarrhoea or oral thrush while you're taking a course of co-amoxiclav. The dose of co-amoxiclav that's prescribed and how long you need to take it for depends on what infection is being treated, age, weight and kidney function. Always follow the instructions given by your doctor. These will be printed on the label that your pharmacist has put on the packet of medicine.

If you forget to take a dose at the correct time you should take it as soon as you remember, and then space the rest of the day's doses over the remainder of the day. Don't take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. To treat an infection your doctor may prescribe you a course of co-amoxiclav that lasts between 5 and 14 days. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the prescribed course of co-amoxiclav, even if you feel better or it seems the infection has cleared up.

Stopping the course early makes it more likely that your infection will come back, or that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic. Make sure the medicine is out of the reach of children. The medicine keeps for 7 days; if there's any left after this you should dispose of it, preferably by returning it to your pharmacist.

Don't pour it down the sink. It's usually fine - there is no 'do not drink alcohol' warning that applies to taking co-amoxiclav because it doesn't specifically affect the medicine itself.

However, if you feel unwell with your infection, or if you find co-amoxiclav gives you an upset stomach, then drinking alcohol could make this worse. It's also possible that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol with co-amoxiclav could increase the risk of getting side effects on your liver.

Co-amoxiclav side effects range from common to very rare. The following are some of the side effects that may be associated with co-amoxiclav.

Just because a side effect is stated here doesn't mean that all people taking co-amoxiclav will experience that or any side effect. Medicines affect people in different ways. Common side effects affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in people.

Rare side effects affect between 1 in and 1 in 10, people. Read the leaflet that comes with your medicines or talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you want any more information about the possible side effects of co-amoxiclav. If you think you have experienced a side effect, did you know you can report this using the yellow card website? Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're already taking any medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with co-amoxiclav.

There's no specific warning about not drinking alcohol while taking co-amoxiclav. However, if the medicine is making you feel sick, then drinking alcohol could make this side effect worse. Drinking large amounts of alcohol while taking co-amoxiclav can make you more likely to get side effects affecting your liver. Apart from not drinking too much alcohol, you can eat and drink normally while taking co-amoxiclav.

Co-amoxiclav doesn't stop contraceptive pills working, including the combined pill or emergency contraception. However, if co-amoxiclav makes you vomit or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.

Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking co-amoxiclav will reduce fertility in either men or women.

Rarely, co-amoxiclav can cause side effects, such as dizziness, that could make you unfit to drive or cycle. If this happens to you, do not drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery until you feel OK again.

Page last reviewed: 12 September Next review due: 12 September Co-amoxiclav On this page About co-amoxiclav Key facts Who can and can't take co-amoxiclav How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions. About co-amoxiclav Co-amoxiclav is a combination antibiotic used for bacterial infections. It is used in adults and children to treat: middle ear and sinus infections throat or lung respiratory tract infections urinary tract infections skin and soft tissue infections dental infections joint and bone infections The medicine is only available on prescription.

Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? For most infections, you'll start to feel better within a few days. Usually you take co-amoxiclav 3 times a day. The most common side effects of co-amoxiclav are diarrhoea, thrush and feeling or being sick.

Co-amoxiclav liquid can stain teeth. This is not permanent and brushing your teeth will remove any stains. Co-amoxiclav is also called by the brand name Augmentin. Co-amoxiclav can be taken by children. Information: Recommended reading Giving co-amoxiclav to children: information on Medicines for Children website. To make sure co-amoxiclav is safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, penicillin or any of the other ingredients have had a severe allergic reaction to any other antibiotic.

This can include a skin rash or swelling of the face and throat have ever had liver problems or jaundice yellowing of the skin when taking antibiotics have or think you may have glandular fever have liver or kidney problems are not peeing regularly.

Important Co-amoxiclav liquid is not suitable for people with a rare inherited condition called phenylketonuria. Important Carry on taking this medicine until you've completed the course, even if you feel better. How to take it Take co-amoxiclav with a meal or snack. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much?

Common side effects These common side effects happen in around 1 in 10 people. Keep taking the medicine but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away: diarrhoea itching, redness and discomfort in or around your mouth , armpits, vagina, penis or groin area — these are symptoms of thrush a yeast infection feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting , especially when taking high doses of co-amoxiclav Serious side effects Serious side effects are not common and happen in less than 1 in people.

Tell a doctor straight away if you have: a skin rash which may blister, and looks like small targets central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge — these are signs of a skin reaction called erythema multiforme watery diarrhoea — usually with blood and mucus stomach pain, possibly with a high temperature — these are signs of inflammation of the large intestines pale poo with dark pee, yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes — these are warning signs of liver or gall bladder problems.

This can happen even after you have finished taking this medicine. Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, co-amoxiclav can cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis. Information: You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. What to do about: diarrhoea — drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor thrush — ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice if this happens to you feeling or being sick — stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.

Take co-amoxiclav with food. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.

If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. Dated June Dated September Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy.

Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. In this article About co-amoxiclav Before taking co-amoxiclav How to take co-amoxiclav Getting the most from your treatment Can co-amoxiclav cause problems? How to store co-amoxiclav Important information about all medicines.

Co-amoxiclav for infections Augmentin In this article About co-amoxiclav Before taking co-amoxiclav How to take co-amoxiclav Getting the most from your treatment Can co-amoxiclav cause problems? Very common co-amoxiclav side-effects these affect more than 1 in 10 people What can I do if I experience this? Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace any lost fluids.