Should I continue taking Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) despite gastrointestinal side effects after the doctor's assistant advised to continue?

Managing Gastrointestinal Side Effects with Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate)

You should discontinue Augmentin despite the doctor's assistant's advice if you are experiencing severe gastrointestinal side effects, as these may indicate a serious adverse reaction requiring medical attention.

Understanding Augmentin and Its Side Effects

Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic commonly prescribed for various bacterial infections. While effective against many pathogens, it is known to cause gastrointestinal side effects in a significant number of patients.

Common GI Side Effects:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting

When to Discontinue Augmentin Despite Medical Advice

According to the FDA drug label, there are specific circumstances when you should contact your physician about gastrointestinal side effects, regardless of what a doctor's assistant may have advised 1:

1. If diarrhea is severe
2. If diarrhea lasts more than 2-3 days
3. If you develop watery or bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever)

These symptoms could indicate a serious condition such as Clostridioides difficile infection, which requires immediate medical attention and likely discontinuation of the current antibiotic.

Managing Mild to Moderate GI Side Effects

For less severe gastrointestinal symptoms, the following approaches may help while continuing the medication:

1. Take with food: Each dose should be taken with a meal or snack to reduce gastrointestinal upset 1

2. Timing adjustment: For biguanides (like metformin), guidelines recommend taking medication with food or 15 minutes after a meal if GI symptoms persist 2. This same principle can be applied to Augmentin.

3. Gradual titration: While not specifically mentioned for Augmentin, guidelines for other medications with GI side effects recommend gradual titration to minimize gastrointestinal side effects 2.

When to Follow Up with Your Doctor

If you experience any of these scenarios, you should contact your physician immediately rather than continuing the medication based solely on the assistant's advice:

• Severe diarrhea
• Persistent symptoms beyond 2-3 days
• Development of bloody stools
• Signs of allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling)
• Inability to keep down fluids or medication due to vomiting

Important Considerations

• Completing the course: While completing the full course of antibiotics is generally important to prevent resistance, this does not apply when experiencing severe side effects 1

• Alternative antibiotics: If you cannot tolerate Augmentin, your doctor may prescribe an alternative antibiotic with a different side effect profile

• Probiotics: Though not mentioned in the guidelines provided, some clinicians recommend probiotics to help manage antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Bottom Line

While the doctor's assistant advised continuing despite symptoms, the FDA drug label clearly states that severe or persistent diarrhea warrants contacting your physician. Your health and safety take priority, and severe gastrointestinal symptoms may indicate a complication that requires medical evaluation and possibly discontinuation of Augmentin.