Amoxicillin and clavulanate are two medications used in combination to treat bacterial infections within the body. These drugs are part of a class of medications called penicillins and work by killing bacteria. Patients who are prescribed this antibiotic should discuss the side effects of amoxicillin and clavulanate with a doctor before beginning treatment.
Stomach Upset
An upset stomach is the most common side effect associated with using amoxicillin and clavulanate. Stomach upset side effects can include nausea or vomiting, which may contribute to stomach pain or bloating, explains Drugs.com, a peer-reviewed informational drug website. Certain patients can also develop mild diarrhea, a side effect characterized by frequent, loose bowel movements. Eating a small snack, such as yogurt, can help alleviate these side effects in certain patients, explain medical professionals at KidsHealth, a children's health information website supported by the Nemours Foundation. Patients who develop persistent diarrhea or unusually colored stools while talking amoxicillin and clavulanate should contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Headache
Patients can develop headache symptoms after taking a dose of amoxicillin and clavulanate. Headache symptoms are typically mild during treatment and can develop within any region of the head. Use of an over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen, can help alleviate these side effects of amoxicillin and clavulanate in affected patients.
Skin Rash
In clinical trials for this medication, approximately 3 percent of patients developed a skin rash as a side effect of amoxicillin and clavulanate use, reports RxList. This antibiotic can cause red, irritated patches of skin to develop across the body of an affected patient. Certain patients can also experience sensations of itching or discomfort at the skin rash site. These side effects are temporary and subside once treatment ends. Patients who develop unusual yellowing of the skin while taking this antibiotic should contact a doctor for further evaluation and care.
Yeast Infection
This antibiotic can kill naturally-occurring bacteria within the body, which can disrupt the body's normal balance. As a result, patients taking amoxicillin and clavulanate can develop yeast infection symptoms as a side effect of treatment. Yeast infection symptoms arise due to an overgrowth of a particular fungus and can affect the skin, mouth or genital region. Patients with an oral yeast infection can develop white, furry skin patches within the mouth or throat, explains Drugs.com. A genital yeast infection can cause affected patients to experience intense genital itching or unusual, white or thick genital discharge. Patients who develop yeast infection symptoms while taking amoxicillin and clavulanate should contact a doctor as additional antifungal medication may be necessary to resolve this side effect.
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