What instructions should be given to a patient with a dog bite who is taking Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate)?

Patient Instructions for Dog Bite While Taking Augmentin

Take your Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) with food or a snack at each dose to reduce stomach upset, and complete the entire prescribed course even if you feel better early in treatment. 1

How to Take Your Medication

• Take each dose with a meal or snack to minimize gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and diarrhea 1
• Follow your prescribed schedule exactly: either every 8 hours or every 12 hours depending on your dose (typically 875/125 mg twice daily for adults) 2, 1
• Complete the full course (typically 3-5 days for prevention or 7-10 days for infection) even if your wound looks better 2, 1
• Skipping doses or stopping early decreases effectiveness and increases the risk that bacteria will become resistant to antibiotics 1

Expected Side Effects and When to Call Your Doctor

• Diarrhea is common with antibiotics and usually resolves when treatment ends 1
• Call your doctor immediately if you develop:
  • Severe diarrhea or watery/bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever), even up to 2 months after finishing the antibiotic 1
  • Diarrhea lasting more than 2-3 days 1
  • Signs of allergic reaction (rash, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling) since Augmentin contains penicillin 1

Wound Care Instructions

• Cleanse the wound thoroughly with sterile normal saline or clean water 3
• Watch for signs of infection including increased redness, swelling, warmth, pus drainage, red streaks extending from the wound, or fever 2, 3
• Seek immediate care if you develop fever, increasing pain, or spreading redness despite antibiotics 2, 3

Additional Important Information

• Tetanus vaccination: Ensure you've had a tetanus shot within the past 10 years; if not, you need one now 4, 2
• Rabies consideration: Your doctor should have assessed whether rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is needed based on the circumstances of the bite 2, 3
• This antibiotic only treats bacterial infections, not viral illnesses 1
• Hand and face wounds require particularly close monitoring as they carry higher infection risk 2, 3

Special Populations

• If you are immunocompromised, have liver disease, diabetes, or lack a spleen, you are at higher risk for serious complications and should monitor your wound even more carefully 2, 3
• Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should have already discussed safety with their prescriber, but Augmentin is generally considered acceptable in these situations

Storage Instructions

• If using liquid suspension: Keep refrigerated, shake well before each use, and use a dosing spoon or medicine dropper (rinse after each use) 1
• Discard any unused liquid medicine after completing your prescribed course 1