Augmentin is an antibiotic that combines amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Doctors prescribe it for certain bacterial infections, such as those of the ear, sinuses, chest, skin and urinary tract. It does not help colds or flu [1]. Take it with a meal or a snack to reduce diarrhoea, complete the course as your doctor prescribed, and do not use it if you have a documented penicillin allergy. Yellowing of the eyes, or a rash with facial swelling, requires immediate medical review.
What is Augmentin and how does it work?
Augmentin is the brand name for a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Amoxicillin is a penicillin-like antibiotic that stops bacteria from growing. Clavulanic acid prevents bacteria from breaking down amoxicillin, so the combination works against bacteria that amoxicillin alone may not affect [1].
The medicine comes as tablets, chewable tablets, or an oral suspension (liquid) [1]. On the ClinicsJo medicine directory, tablets are listed in strengths of 625 mg and 1 g, and you can find full details on the Augmentin page. The Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) regulates medicines and their listed prices in Jordan.
When does a doctor prescribe Augmentin?
The combination is used to treat bacterial infections of the ear, lungs, sinuses, skin and urinary tract [1]. Examples listed in our medicine guide include:
- Acute bacterial sinusitis.
- Otitis media (middle ear infection), especially recurrent infections or infections that did not respond to amoxicillin alone.
- Chest infections and exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.
- Animal and human bites, because the combination covers mouth bacteria well.
- Dental abscesses and skin and soft tissue infections.
- Some urinary tract infections, depending on the sensitivity of the causative germ.
Choosing an antibiotic is the doctor's decision after examination, and sometimes after laboratory tests. Not every bacterial infection needs an antibiotic. Many cases of sinusitis and some ear infections may not need one [3]. For details on children, read Otitis media in children: when to watch and when to use antibiotics?. If redness of the skin is spreading and painful, see Cellulitis guide: red skin and treatment.
Does Augmentin help with colds and flu?
No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, so they are not used for colds or runny nose, even if the mucus is thick, yellow or green. They are also not used for most sore throats (except strep throat), flu, or most cases of bronchitis [3]. Sources confirm that using antibiotics when they are not needed increases the risk of later infections that resist treatment [1].
This resistance is a global problem. The World Health Organization estimates that one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections in 2023 was resistant to antibiotics, and that misuse and overuse are among its main causes [2]. It also estimates that resistance is higher in the South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions, where one in three reported infections was resistant [2].
So do not ask your doctor or pharmacist for an antibiotic just because you are sick [3]. Do not keep an antibiotic "for emergencies," do not share your pack with anyone, and do not take an antibiotic prescribed for someone else [3]. If you have a cough and cold, read Acute bronchitis: when is it just a cold and when to see a doctor.
How do you take Augmentin correctly?
Take the medicine with a meal or a snack, every 8 to 12 hours (two or three times a day), at similar times each day [1]. The dose of Augmentin that the doctor or pharmacist sets for adults is usually 1 g every 12 hours or 625 mg every 8 hours, depending on the type of infection and on kidney and liver function (see the medicine page). Do not increase or decrease the dose, and do not change how often you take it on your own [1].
For children, the dose is based on body weight and set by the doctor or as directed by the pharmacist. Do not calculate it from tables published online.
Practical points
- Liquid suspension: Shake well before each dose, and measure it with a medicine spoon or a graduated oral syringe, not a household spoon [1].
- Chewable tablets: Chew them completely before swallowing [1].
- Missed dose: Take it when you remember. If the next dose is almost due, skip the missed one, and do not double the dose [1].
- Improvement: This usually begins in the first few days. If symptoms do not improve or get worse, contact your doctor [1].
- Storage: Keep tablets at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep the suspension in the refrigerator and discard any leftover after 10 days. Keep it out of reach of children [1].
Should I finish the course if I feel better?
Yes, finish the course as your doctor prescribed, even if you feel better. Stopping early or missing doses may leave the infection not fully treated, and bacteria may become resistant [1]. Also read: What happens if I stop taking antibiotics as soon as I feel better?. If infection symptoms continue after the pack is finished, contact your doctor. Do not restart the medicine on your own [1].
How do you avoid diarrhoea and thrush during treatment?
Diarrhoea, nausea and stomach pain are among the most common side effects of Augmentin. Diarrhoea is more frequent with this combination than with amoxicillin alone, because of clavulanic acid. Taking it with food greatly reduces this. Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and vaginal itching or discharge are side effects that may occur [1]. Antibiotics in general can cause rash, nausea, diarrhoea and fungal infections [3].
What to do in practice
- Do not take the medicine on an empty stomach. Take it with a meal or a snack [1].
- Drink enough fluids, and take extra care with children and older adults.
- Tell your doctor if the diarrhoea is severe or does not stop [1].
- Do not stop the medicine, and do not take anti-diarrhoea medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
For a definition of the symptom, see Diarrhoea. If it appears in your child, see Diarrhoea in children.
Fungal infections (thrush)
Oral or vaginal fungal infections may appear after the course in some patients. Candidiasis, also called thrush, is a fungal infection that affects the mouth or genital area [2]. Its signs include itching and vaginal discharge [1]. Tell your doctor or pharmacist so you can get the right treatment, and do not use leftover creams on your own.
Serious diarrhoea
Contact your doctor immediately if watery or bloody stools, cramps or fever appear during treatment, or even up to two months or more after stopping [1]. One complication of antibiotics is C. difficile infection, which can cause diarrhoea and severe damage to the colon [3]. Details are in C. difficile infection: when are antibiotics the cause?.
Can Augmentin cause allergy? And who should not take it?
Augmentin may cause a skin rash, and severe allergic reactions can occur rarely. Antibiotics in general can cause severe, life-threatening allergic reactions [3]. Since amoxicillin belongs to the penicillin family, it must not be taken if you have a documented penicillin allergy (the rules for amoxicillin itself apply). Likewise, it must not be taken by anyone who previously developed jaundice or liver dysfunction specifically due to Augmentin.
Before taking the medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist about every allergy you have to any medicine, food or substance, and about the symptoms you experienced [1]. Also tell them if you have infectious mononucleosis, or kidney, liver, asthma, hay fever or urticaria (hives) [1]. Patients with infectious mononucleosis avoid this medicine because it may cause them a rash.
When is it an emergency?
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a rash, itching or hives. If you develop difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing, or swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips or eyes, or peeling skin or blisters, stop taking the medicine and go to the nearest emergency department, or call 911 [1]. Not every rash is a true allergy, but only a doctor can make that judgement, not you.
If you think you are allergic to penicillin, consult a doctor to evaluate this, because it determines which antibiotics you can use later. Read about drug allergy, browse the directory of doctors who evaluate drug allergy, or the directory of food and drug allergy clinics. For clinics in the capital, see the directory of food and drug allergy clinics in Amman.
Does Augmentin affect the liver or interact with other medicines?
Its effect on the liver is rare but known. Cholestatic jaundice may occur, especially in older adults and with long courses, and it may sometimes appear after the treatment has ended. Its signs include yellowing of the skin or eyes, pain in the upper abdomen on the right side, tiredness and loss of appetite, easy bleeding or bruising, and dark urine [1]. If these appear, contact your doctor immediately, even if weeks have passed since the course. Also tell your doctor if you had liver problems before taking the medicine [1]. The doctor may adjust the dose in kidney failure.
Drug interactions
- Birth control pills: Hormonal contraceptives may become less effective, so use an additional method during treatment after consulting your doctor [1].
- Other medicines: Allopurinol may increase the risk of rash. Augmentin may sometimes enhance the effect of warfarin, which requires INR monitoring. Probenecid raises the levels of the medicine. So tell the pharmacist about your medicines when you collect them (see the medicine page).
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant during treatment, contact your doctor [1].
- Phenylketonuria: Chewable tablets and the suspension are sweetened with aspartame, which is converted into phenylalanine [1].
Keep a written list of all your medicines, supplements and herbs, and bring it to every visit [1].
When should you see a doctor, and when should you go to the emergency department?
| Level | Signs | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Mild diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, vaginal itching or discharge | Take the medicine with food, and tell your doctor if symptoms are severe or persistent [1] |
| Urgent review | Watery or bloody diarrhoea, cramps, fever (during treatment or weeks after), severe vomiting, rash, itching or hives, return of fever or sore throat, no improvement | Contact your doctor immediately [1] |
| Liver | Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pain in the upper right abdomen, severe tiredness, bleeding or bruising | See a doctor immediately for a liver check [1] |
| Emergency | Difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing, swelling of the face, throat or tongue, peeling skin or blisters, fainting or convulsions | Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department [1] |
If you take an overdose and notice cloudy or bloody urine or reduced urination, seek medical help immediately [1].
How do you find the right doctor or clinic in Jordan?
If you have symptoms of an infection, start with a general practitioner or family physician, who will decide whether you need an antibiotic at all. They may refer you to a suitable specialty, such as ENT, paediatrics, internal medicine, dermatology or dentistry. For children, maternal and child health centres and Ministry of Health centres are available in the governorates. On ClinicsJo, you can filter by specialty and governorate, then read the profile and contact or book where the profile allows.
What to check in the profile
- Specialty, governorate, area and working hours.
- The contact or booking method available in the profile.
- If you have a history of drug allergy, look for a suitable specialty such as allergy and immunology.
Questions to ask your doctor before prescribing Augmentin
- Do I actually need an antibiotic, or is the infection viral?
- How long is the course, how many times a day do I take the dose, and how should I take it with food?
- Which side effects should prompt me to contact you?
- Is it suitable for me with my current medicines and my condition (pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver, kidneys, contraceptives)?
- What should I do if I miss a dose or do not improve?
To explore other helpful medicines, search the medicine guide starting with Augmentin. In an emergency, do not wait for an appointment. Call 911.
This article is for health education and does not replace assessment by a doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change any prescription medicine without consulting them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Augmentin for a cold or flu?
No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, and colds, flu, runny nose and most sore throats and bronchitis are mostly viral. Using an antibiotic when it is not needed can cause side effects and increases the risk of resistance. If symptoms become severe or last a long time, see a doctor to decide whether the infection is bacterial.
Why does Augmentin cause diarrhoea, and how can I reduce it?
Diarrhoea is one of its most common side effects, and it is more frequent with this combination than with amoxicillin alone because of clavulanic acid. Taking the medicine with a meal or a snack greatly reduces it, along with drinking enough fluids. If diarrhoea is severe, watery or bloody, or comes with fever, contact your doctor immediately, and do not stop the medicine on your own.
Can I take Augmentin if I have a penicillin allergy?
If you have a documented penicillin allergy, you must not take it, because amoxicillin belongs to the penicillin family. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about your allergy and the symptoms you had. If you are not sure it was a true allergy, ask your doctor to evaluate it rather than relying on assumption.
Can I stop Augmentin when I feel better after two days?
No. Complete the course as your doctor prescribed, even if symptoms have gone, because stopping early or missing doses may leave the infection not fully treated, and bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics. If you experience a troubling side effect or do not improve, contact your doctor instead of deciding to stop on your own.
What are the signs that Augmentin is affecting the liver?
The effect is rare, but its signs include yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pain in the upper right abdomen, tiredness, loss of appetite and easy bruising. These may sometimes appear weeks after the course ends, especially in older adults or after long courses. If they appear, see a doctor immediately for a liver check.
Does Augmentin affect birth control pills?
The antibiotic may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives such as pills, patches, rings and injections, so an additional method is recommended during treatment. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist before starting the course so they can advise you on a suitable method and how long to use it. Do not rely on guesswork.
Sources and references
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed: 2026-10-26.
- Antimicrobial resistance — World Health Organization. Accessed: 2026-10-26.
- Antibiotics: MedlinePlus — MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed: 2026-10-26.