Timentin Side Effects
Generic name: clavulanate / ticarcillin
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 7, 2023.
Note: This document contains side effect information about clavulanate / ticarcillin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Timentin.
Applies to clavulanate / ticarcillin: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution.
Warning
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to any penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking clavulanate / ticarcillin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
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blood in your urine, feeling an urgent need to urinate, painful or difficult urination;
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seizure (convulsions);
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low potassium--confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or
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signs of a new infection--fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or unusual bleeding, loss of appetite, mouth sores.
Common side effects may include:
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vaginal itching or discharge;
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mild rash;
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nausea, mild diarrhea; or
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bruising, swelling, or redness where the injection was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to clavulanate / ticarcillin: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution.
Hematologic
The risk of significant bleeding may be increased in patients over the age of 60 years, patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, patients with preexisting thrombocytopenia, and azotemia, and patients undergoing surgical procedures.
Leukopenia has been reported in 23% of patients with liver disease receiving beta-lactam antibiotics.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Elevated eosinophils, thrombocytosis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hemolytic anemia
Frequency not reported: Bleeding manifestations, immune hemolytic anemia, positive Coombs test
Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, eosinophilia, decreased hemoglobin or hematocrit, prolonged prothrombin time and bleeding time[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): Elevated AST, elevated ALT
Postmarketing reports: Elevated AST, elevated ALT, elevated serum bilirubin, transient hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms has been reported during or after antibacterial therapy.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea
Frequency not reported: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
Postmarketing reports: Stomatitis, flatulence, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, epigastric pain, pseudomembranous colitis[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Rash
Postmarketing reports: Skin rash, pruritus, urticaria, bullous reactions (including erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome)[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Injection site phlebitis
Frequency not reported: Injection site erythema, injection site infiltration
Postmarketing reports: Injection site pain, injection site burning, injection site swelling, injection site induration, thrombophlebitis with IV administration[Ref]
Nervous system
Postmarketing reports: Headache, giddiness, neuromuscular hyperirritability, convulsive seizures, taste and smell disturbances[Ref]
Convulsions have been reported rarely, particularly in patients with renal dysfunction or those using high doses.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions (including skin rash, pruritus, urticaria, arthralgia, myalgia, drug fever, chills, chest discomfort, bronchospasm, wheezing, anaphylactic reactions, bullous reactions [including erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome])[Ref]
Renal
Postmarketing reports: Elevated serum creatinine and/or BUN[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia, myalgia
Other
Postmarketing reports: Drug fever, chills, chest discomfort, decreased serum potassium
Respiratory
Postmarketing reports: Bronchospasm, wheezing
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Hypokalemia
Postmarketing reports: Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, elevated serum LDH, hypernatremia, decreased uric acid[Ref]
Some studies have shown a correlation between the degree of hypokalemia and the dose of ticarcillin in addition to the serum BUN/creatinine ratio. These findings suggest that dehydration and high doses may be risk factors for hypokalemia.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Frequency not reported: Vaginal yeast infections
Postmarketing reports: Hemorrhagic cystitis[Ref]
An increased incidence of vaginal yeast infections has been associated with penicillins.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Hallucinations
More about Timentin (clavulanate / ticarcillin)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: beta-lactamase inhibitors
Patient resources
Related treatment guides
References
1. Link AS, Jr. Efficacy and safety of ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid and piperacillin in patients with lower respiratory tract infections. Am J Med. 1985;79:86-7.
2. Fass RJ, Copelan EA, Brandt JT, Moeschberger ML, Ashton JJ. Platelet-mediated bleeding caused by broad-spectrum penicillins. J Infect Dis. 1987;155:1242-8.
3. Stuart JJ. Ticarcillin-induced hemorrhage in a patient with thrombocytosis. South Med J. 1980;73:1084-5.
4. Gastineau D, Spector R, Philips D. Severe neutropenia associated with ticarcillin therapy. Ann Intern Med. 1981;94:711-2.
5. Mostow SR, O'Brien RF. Safety and effectiveness of ticarcillin plus clavulanate potassium in treatment of lower respiratory tract infections. Am J Med. 1985;79:78-80.
6. Sanders CV, Marier RL, Aldridge KE, Derks FW, Martin DH. Safety and effectiveness of ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid in the treatment of community-acquired acute pyelonephritis in adult women. Am J Med. 1985;79:96-100.
7. Gentry LO, Macko V, Lind R, Heilman A. Ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid (timentin) therapy for osteomyelitis. Am J Med. 1985;79:116-21.
8. Croydon EA, Hermoso C. An evaluation of the safety and tolerance to timentin. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1986;17:233-40.
9. Meylan PR, Calandra T, Casey PA, Glauser MP. Clinical experience with timentin in severe hospital infections. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1986;17:127-39.
10. Tehan S, Horobin J, Gordonsmith R, McLatchie GR. Ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid (timentin): further UK trial results. Br J Clin Pract. 1988;42:8-16.
11. Product Information. Timentin (ticarcillin-clavulanate). SmithKline Beecham. 2001;PROD.
12. Shenep JL, Hughes WT, Roberson PK, et al. Vancomycin, ticarcillin, and amikacin compared with ticarcillin-clavulanate and amikacin in the empirical treatment of febrile, neutropenic children with cancer. N Engl J Med. 1988;319:1053-8.
13. Westenfelder M, Pelz K, Hulla FW. Clinical evaluation of timentin in complicated urinary tract infections. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1986;17:97-102.
14. Schwigon CD, Hulla FW, Schulza B, Maslak A. Timentin in the treatment of nosocomial bronchopulmonary infections in intensive care units. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1986;17:115-22.
15. Ryan J, Dudley FJ. Cholestasis with ticarcillin-potassium clavulanate (timentin). Med J Aust. 1992;156:291.
16. Sweet JM, Jones MP. Intrahepatic cholestasis due to ticarcillin-clavulanate. Am J Gastroenterol. 1995;90:675-6.
17. Ramakrishnan K, Scheid DC. Diagnosis and management of acute pyelonephritis in adults. Am Fam Physician. 2005;71:933-42.
18. Brown LA, Goldberg ND, Shearer WT. Long-term ticarcillin desensitization by the continuous oral administration of penicillin. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1982;69:51-4.
19. Welter J, Wittman DH, Freitag V. Ticarcillin therapy of risk patients with infections due to pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Int Med Res. 1981;9:44-51.
20. Finch RA. Hypernatremia during lithium and ticarcillin therapy. South Med J. 1981;74:376-7.
21. Ramirez-Ronda CH, Gutierrez J, Bermudez RH. Comparative effectiveness, safety and tolerance of mezlocillin and ticarcillin: a prospective randomized trial. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1982;9:125-9.
22. Nanji AA, Lindsay J. Ticarcillin associated hypokalemia. Clin Biochem. 1982;15:118-9.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.