Augmentin and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• GSa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Taking Augmentin 875/125 2x daily prophylactically to prevent infection from a deep puncture cat bite. Five days in, there is no sign of infection, and everything appears to be healing fine. So, it seems to have potentially prevented infection. But wow, did it make me feel awful. Brain fog with difficulty focusing mentally and visually. No energy. Lots of nausea, lack of appetite, and generally feeling out of it. Diarrhea occurs without enough fiber. As others have said, I think it's increased my anxiety significantly. Haven't had any panic attacks for a long time, until this beauty. I'm not sure I'll ever know if it prevented an infection or not. I do know that it caused me to feel like absolute crud!"

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "After being on a course of Augmentin, I have had diarrhea for two weeks. It’s mushy, brown, and I pass stools up to four times a day. The hospital tested my stool and said it was because of the antibiotics and that my blood was okay. So, I don't know what happened, but I guess the Augmentin got rid of all the good bacteria in my gut. I guess it takes time. Anyone else have this problem?"

• CJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have had recurring UTIs and have tried just about every antibiotic, and nothing else has helped me. Cephalexin did nothing, and I am allergic to Bactrim. Cipro caused me to have severe tendinitis in my Achilles tendon. However, I am doing well on Augmentin and can put up with the loose stools as I started feeling better by day 3. Taking a Probitrinol probiotic is helping me as Florastor did not work for me. Drink plenty of water and get lots of rest. Not all medications work for everyone, so trial and error will work the best."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Two hours after taking the first dose of Augmentin, my son started vomiting every 5 minutes for 2 hours straight. It got to the point where it became so violent that he started vomiting blood, which I saw was indeed a side effect of the drug. I had to take him to the ER to stop the vomiting and get him hydrated. It was a nightmare! The next day, he had the most severe diarrhea he's ever had, all with just one dose. He did take it with food."

• tna...
• February 2, 2014

For Sinusitis "I took this medicine for a sinus infection. Worked great for that but the side effects for me were unbearable. On day 7 of the medicine, I had the worst stomach cramps that I have ever had and diarrhea. Sleepiness was a constant, I slept all day and night. I had no desire to eat at all. I experienced chills, cough, fever, severe headaches, irritability, heartburn, and greatly decreased frequency of urination."

• Mel...
• June 5, 2011

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was on Augmentin twice a day for 7 days. I thought I would have diarrhea and cramps, headaches, all the fun stuff with antibiotics. But all that happened to me is about 2 hours after taking it, I found myself VERY sleepy, which it was bedtime anyways. Just try to take it 2 to 3 hours BEFORE bed, so it won't upset your stomach while you are sleeping. Also, what really helped me is drinking DanActive yogurt, so I get no diarrhea while taking it, and it works well. I also was taking Culturelle (Probiotics). That and the yogurt helped with diarrhea very well."

• Gia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I feel like the people that come on here to read reviews are people like me who have anxieties about taking medications. I needed this medication for a skin infection after my C-section. I was nervous about the symptoms after reading the comments on here, but I had ZERO problems with this medication. I was prescribed 875 mg 2x daily. I made sure I ate a probiotic yogurt before starting this med and had one every day for 7 days until I was finished. I had no upset stomach or diarrhea."

• sin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2014

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed 500 mg twice a day Augmentin for a sinus infection. After the second dose, I developed BAD stomach cramps, nausea, and loose stools. I continued the Augmentin for three more days, but finally had to stop taking it due to the fact that it was completely destroying my stomach. It was working wonders on my sinus infection, but the side effects were too much to bear. Worst of all, I'm still having cramps and loose stools even though I stopped taking the Augmentin two days ago. I hope the issues resolve themselves soon and won't require a trip to my gastroenterologist. Augmentin may be fine for some people, but it's definitely NOT for me!"

• Cod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2020

For Sinusitis "The medicine works, but watch out for the GI side effects. Go to your supermarket in the dairy section and buy the probiotic yogurt drink Yakult. It comes in a pack of 5 1 oz bottles. Drink one bottle each AM and continue for 3 days after stopping Augmentin. You will be free of diarrhea, nausea, and GI side effects. It works!!"

• Fra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2015

For Strep Throat "This is the ONLY antibiotic I have been prescribed that cures the bacterial infection that comes along with streptococcus. Zithromax or Z-packs (azithromycin) are useless for me due to complete antibiotic resistance to that drug. Also, regular amoxicillin is ineffective due to antibiotic resistance. This medication is powerful and can cause side effects such as diarrhea, but you can take Imodium (loperamide) for that, which I highly recommend during the course of this treatment, along with drinking plenty of fluids such as water and Gatorade to maintain electrolytes. This is a 10-day course of medication and is highly effective. I recommend this as a FIRST course of treatment due to antibiotic resistance."

• Sam...
• August 26, 2013

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I was put on Augmentin for my upper respiratory infection and sinus infection that I had at the same time as each other. After taking it for 2 days, I was feeling 80% better. People told me to watch out for side effects such as upset stomach and loose stool. I made sure to have a yogurt before each pill I took and never had an issue."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I am taking Augmentin for diverticulitis as prescribed by the ER doctor, and I feel like trash; the abdominal cramps felt better without it, and I have loose stools and sore legs and generally feel like garbage. Only 3 pills left to go."

• Joe...
• December 27, 2014

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Overall, not too bad. I had some mild nausea and diarrhea the first two or three days, but then I drank Kefir, which helped immensely. Be sure to take it as directed with some food (you don't need a whole meal) and eat yogurt, etc. I highly recommend Kefir during Augmentin therapy. I began clearing the infection by the second day. Remember, most people have little to no side effects with these medications, so what you tend to read on the Internet is negatively biased."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "Prescribed Augmentin fairly frequently for diverticulitis (as I suffer from autoimmune neutropenia too, I am on a lower threshold for treatment as the risk of life-threatening infection is high). I always feel better after two days, but that's when the gates of hell open and the side effects knock me out completely. If I don't take in enough fluids, my kidneys feel like they'll explode, I feel so incredibly weak and lifeless, it gives me a constant headache for the duration of treatment, nausea, no appetite, diarrhea, intestinal pain worse than what it's supposed to treat, and it causes my emotional state to deteriorate severely - I can't stop crying and feel so very stressed, agitated, and anxious."

• Bil...
• January 5, 2012

For Strep Throat "On day 1, no change in the symptoms. Day 2: I got diarrhea. Day 3: no more fever and pain relief, diarrhea reduces as well. Day 4: No fever, no diarrhea, and a little headache. Days 5 to 7: I forgot I was sick, had to put reminders on the phone in order to remember to follow the 7-day prescription. Worked for me."

• str...
• February 27, 2014

For Strep Throat "My doctor told me to drink it down with water and then eat yogurt or a probiotic an hour after each dose, and I never got sick. She said if you don't drink enough water, you will get diarrhea, so I drank tons and never got it. I am so happy! I had been suffering for two months."

• bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed this by my doctor for sinusitis. I’ve been on all types of antibiotics in my life, and this stuff is horrible. Went on my lunch break, and I was convinced I was dying. Anxiety, panic attacks, tarry stool (gastric bleeding?), chest and back pain, side pain, chest tightness, abdominal cramping (felt like something was tearing into my stomach), sweating, terrible diarrhea, pale, dizziness, huge headache, etc. Only took one dose, stopped dosage, and called my ENT doctor for an appointment."

• sla...
• November 16, 2009

For Bronchitis "This is the best antibiotic for the treatment of sinusitis and bronchitis. ALL antibiotics can give you diarrhea because they also can destroy the 'good' bacteria in your gut. You can alleviate this by taking a probiotic in small doses, or just have some yogurt for breakfast."

• mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Took Augmentin for a bad sinus infection. After day two, symptoms decreased a lot. I could smell things I haven't smelled in months. Day 3, vaginal itching, day 4, worse vaginal itching and headache. Decided to treat for a yeast infection. Day 5, feeling better. Taking probiotics with it daily. Have had some diarrhea, but I have IBS, so nothing more abnormal than usual. Even though the side effects aren't pleasant, it worked better than any antibiotic I've been given this year for this everlasting sinus infection."

• Que...
• August 25, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "This medication got rid of an infection in a cat scratch, but my God, have I suffered. By day 5, I was constantly on the edge of puking and had loose stool. I toughed it out, took double the probiotics I normally would, and was super excited to be done with it. Unfortunately, 10 days later, I'm still queasy on and off and have random loose stools. I feel like it destroyed my gut, not enough to be concerned about C. diff, just enough to make me feel like garbage and worry about going anywhere."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I took one dose yesterday afternoon and subsequently had the worst 12 hours of my entire life, bar none. Intense nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain... I'm left feeling very weak and still have pain in my stomach. What a nightmare."

• AEJ...
• April 10, 2016

For Strep Throat "On Tamiflu for the flu, Z-pack for strep throat, and Motrin for pain and fever. Day 2: me begging, please give me penicillin, please. My throat began to swell and was covered with infection. I went to urgent care and was given a prednisone shot along with a Rocephin shot, followed by a prescription for prednisone, Augmentin, and Diflucan. Immediately, the Augmentin kicked the hell out of the strep throat. I began spitting out the infection, the flu symptoms subsided, and all is right in the world. I had the runs, upset stomach, and a yeast infection, all of those pale in comparison to strep throat and the flu."

• ABa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

For Kidney Infections "Was prescribed this Augmentin (875/125) 2 doses a day for 7 days after being misdiagnosed with a UTI and on Keflex for a week before that did nothing for my fever or pain or infection. When I was finally diagnosed with a kidney infection, I started taking Augmentin. I’m on day 3 and feeling so much better without my fever and kidney pain. However, I am having mild side effects. I get a decent headache within hours of taking each dose, and there is some diarrhea. However, taking it with food lessens those side effects, and the main thing I know is helping is taking good probiotics daily as well that has helped keep my flora balanced and prevent the thrush a lot of people experience after this medication. Very effective, just be sure to replenish the good bacteria in your system as you are taking it."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2020

For Sinusitis "I was recently prescribed Augmentin 875 mg two times a day for 10 days for a very severe upper respiratory/sinus infection. On day one, I had pain in my head, some sweating/chills, lethargy, and stomach upset. Day two, I had bad diarrhea, anxiety, nervousness/agitation, sweating/chills, and some tiredness. Day three, I had all of the above, as well as developing one hive on my right arm after my evening dose. The medication helps my sinus infection, but the side effects are troubling. I do not feel good for at least two or three hours after taking this medication."

• duc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "This is one of the worst experiences in my entire life. After taking Augmentin, I had diarrhea for a week, a yeast infection, dry red rashes on the palms of my hands and inner thighs, hemorrhoids, exhaustion, blurry vision, and an increased heart rate, which caused me to not be able to sleep. I WILL NEVER take Augmentin again, worst meds in the world."