Can Tamiflu and Augmentin Be Taken Together?
Yes, Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) can be safely taken together without any clinically significant drug interactions.
Drug Interaction Profile
- No clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions have been observed when oseltamivir is coadministered with amoxicillin, according to FDA labeling 1
- Oseltamivir is extensively converted to its active form by esterases in the liver and is not metabolized through cytochrome P450 enzymes or glucuronyl transferases, making drug-drug interactions uncommon 1
- Both oseltamivir and its active metabolite have low protein binding, which further reduces the probability of drug displacement interactions 1
Clinical Context for Concurrent Use
- This combination is commonly prescribed when a patient has both influenza and a concurrent bacterial infection (such as bacterial pneumonia, sinusitis, or otitis media complicating influenza) 2, 3
- Oseltamivir treatment should be initiated within 48 hours of influenza symptom onset for maximum effectiveness 4, 5
- Augmentin is frequently used for community-acquired respiratory tract infections and has demonstrated efficacy against beta-lactamase-producing pathogens that may cause secondary bacterial complications 2, 3
Administration Considerations
- Both medications can be taken with or without food, though taking each with meals may improve gastrointestinal tolerability 4, 1
- Standard adult dosing: oseltamivir 75 mg twice daily for 5 days and Augmentin per indication-specific dosing 6, 4
- The most common adverse effects of oseltamivir are nausea and vomiting (5-15% of patients), which are mild and transient 4, 7
- Augmentin may also cause gastrointestinal side effects, but these are generally minimal and well-tolerated 8, 9
Important Caveats
- Renal dose adjustment is required for oseltamivir in patients with creatinine clearance 10-30 mL/min (reduce to 75 mg once daily for treatment) 6, 4
- No dose adjustment is needed for either medication when used together in patients with normal renal function 1
- The combination does not increase the risk of adverse events beyond what would be expected from each medication individually 1, 7