From the Guidelines
You can generally take Augmentin and metformin together, as there is no significant interaction between these medications. Augmentin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, while metformin is used to manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. These medications work through different mechanisms in the body and don't typically interfere with each other's effectiveness 1. However, it's essential to be aware that Augmentin, like many antibiotics, can sometimes cause gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, or stomach upset, which might overlap with similar potential side effects of metformin.
Some key points to consider when taking these medications together include:
- Taking Augmentin with food can help reduce stomach upset.
- You should continue your regular metformin schedule as prescribed by your doctor while on the antibiotic course.
- Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications you're taking to ensure there are no individual concerns based on your specific health situation or other medications you might be using.
- Metformin is a commonly used medication for type 2 diabetes, effective and safe, and reduces risks of microvascular complications, cardiovascular events, and death 1.
- The principal side effects of metformin are gastrointestinal intolerance, which can be mitigated by gradual dose titration and/or using extended-release formulation 1.
It's crucial to follow your healthcare provider's guidance and monitoring to minimize potential risks and ensure the best outcome for your specific health situation.
From the Research
Interaction between Augmentin and Metformin
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest a significant interaction between Augmentin (amoxicillin with clavulanate) and metformin.
- The studies primarily focus on the risks associated with metformin, such as lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia, and the comparison of different dosing regimens for amoxicillin with or without clavulanate for the treatment of acute otitis media 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Metformin is known to cause lactic acidosis, but the incidence is rare and often associated with other comorbidities or factors such as renal failure or sepsis 2, 4, 5.
- The risk of hypoglycemia is more commonly associated with sulfonylureas than with metformin 3, 5.
- The study on amoxicillin dosing regimens suggests that once or twice daily doses are comparable to three or four times daily doses in terms of effectiveness and adverse events for the treatment of acute otitis media 6.
Considerations for Concurrent Use
- When considering the concurrent use of Augmentin and metformin, it is essential to monitor for potential adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal upset or allergic reactions, which are common to both medications.
- Patients with diabetes who are taking metformin should be aware of the potential risks of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia, although the latter is less common with metformin compared to other antidiabetic medications 3, 5.
- The dosing regimen for amoxicillin with clavulanate (Augmentin) may be adjusted based on the patient's renal function and the severity of the infection being treated 6.