What should I do if I'm experiencing diarrhea while taking Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) 875?

Managing Diarrhea While Taking Augmentin 875

For loose stools while taking Augmentin, you should continue your antibiotic course but manage the diarrhea with loperamide (4 mg initially, then 2 mg after each loose stool, maximum 16 mg/day) and dietary modifications. 1, 2

Assessment of Your Diarrhea

First, determine the severity of your diarrhea:

• Mild diarrhea (little or no interference with daily activities):

  • Continue Augmentin as prescribed
  • Use supportive measures (see below)
  • Monitor for worsening symptoms

• Moderate to severe diarrhea (interfering with daily activities, or with concerning symptoms):

  • Contact your healthcare provider if you have:
    • Fever
    • Severe abdominal pain
    • Blood in stool
    • Diarrhea lasting more than 2-3 days
    • Signs of dehydration (dizziness, decreased urination)

Management Approach

Continue Your Antibiotic

• Complete your full course of Augmentin 875 as prescribed 2
• Skipping doses or stopping early can decrease effectiveness and increase risk of bacterial resistance
• Take Augmentin with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset 3

Dietary Modifications

• Eliminate lactose-containing products temporarily 1
• Avoid high-osmolar dietary supplements 1
• Consider a bland diet during the acute diarrhea phase 1
• Ensure adequate hydration with water, clear broths, or electrolyte solutions

Anti-Diarrheal Medication

For mild to moderate diarrhea without concerning symptoms:

• Loperamide (Imodium):
  • Initial dose: 4 mg (2 tablets)
  • Then 2 mg after each loose stool
  • Maximum: 16 mg per day 1
  • Note: It takes 1-2 hours to reach therapeutic effect, so space doses accordingly 1

When to Seek Medical Attention

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if:

• Diarrhea is severe or lasts more than 2-3 days 2
• You develop watery or bloody stools 2
• You experience fever, significant abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration 1
• You develop signs of an allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling)

Important Considerations

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotics like Augmentin and usually resolves when the antibiotic is completed 2. However, be aware that:

• Antibiotics can disrupt normal gut flora
• In rare cases, antibiotics can lead to Clostridioides difficile infection, which can cause severe diarrhea even weeks after completing antibiotics 2

Augmentin-Specific Considerations

• Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) has a higher incidence of gastrointestinal side effects compared to some other antibiotics 4
• Taking with food can help reduce GI upset 2
• Newer formulations of Augmentin have been developed with reduced incidence of diarrhea, but the standard formulation still commonly causes this side effect 4

Remember that mild diarrhea while taking antibiotics is common and usually self-limiting. The most important thing is to complete your full course of antibiotics while managing the diarrhea symptoms with the approaches outlined above.