Augmentin and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• noo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I started Augmentin 1 gm twice/day 5 days ago (Wed. Sep. 9th) to treat inflammation in the tooth root. The stomach problems started by day 4. Today (day 5) was really bad: headache, stomach pain, pain in my joints, and my whole body. I also had a loose stool from day 1. I called my doctor, explained the situation, and he said I can stop taking it, a minimum of 4 days should suffice. So I took 9 out of a course of 14 tablets. I hope I'll get rid of my whole-body pain and stomach problems soon. So overall experience with Augmentin: bad."

• Jod...
• April 15, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "After a 10-day dosage, I developed severe diarrhea with bloody stools. (C. diff) Went to ER and was diagnosed with C. diff. Have been ill ever since and am now lactose intolerant. Took metronidazole for 14 days but still have symptoms. Horrible experience."

• Gen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2021

For Sinusitis "Having new medication anxiety, a sensitive stomach, acid reflux, and an irrational fear of diarrhea and vomiting made me terrified of taking this medication after reading a lot of these reviews. But! The key here is food. Avoid anything that upsets your guts. Eat something right before taking the pill and eat a probiotics yogurt 2-3 hours after taking the pill. This will help with an angry tummy and also help prevent yeast infections caused by antibiotics, ladies. Don’t skip a meal and snack on crackers or the likes throughout the day. This med is bad if it is in an empty stomach. Coming from someone who has taken a lower dose of amoxicillin only and gotten the runs every time, with sticking to a strict regimen of never letting the gut be empty and eating the yogurt 2 hours after taking the pill, I’ve had no side effects and started feeling better on the 2nd day. Goodbye bacterial sinusitis."

• Gis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2019

For Bronchitis "This antibiotic is the best when it comes to treating sinus infections. I have had bronchitis for about 3 months, and it’s clearing everything up! I have a very weak stomach and have never been able to take antibiotics and finish a full round, so this time I started taking Omeprazole 30 minutes before my dose is due and, of course, with food, and only once experienced stomach upset. I have read a lot of people complain about diarrhea. I suffer from constipation and have been to the bathroom very often, so I’m guessing that is my equivalent of that."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2016

For Strep Throat "Medicine is working excellently, however, the side effects are intense. Severe diarrhea, horrible headache within an hour of each dose that gets worse when I stand. I'm only on day 3 of a 10-day cycle."

• jmc...
• May 31, 2017

For Middle Ear Infections "This medication has always worked great for me whenever I have an ear infection... much better than the regular Amoxicillin too. However, be sure to follow your doctor's orders by taking this medicine with food while getting enough probiotics, as it will give you stomach problems along with diarrhea if you don't comply."

• Ada...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I've been taking this for about two weeks to combat cellulitis, and after first trying Keflex and Bactrim, which did not work, the Augmentin is working quite well. I haven't had any stomach upset or GI discomfort. I haven't had any diarrhea that couldn't be easily stopped with a normal dose of over-the-counter loperamide. Had a slight bit, but the loperamide fixed that right up."

• But...
• December 15, 2016

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I am now on day 7 taking Augmentin for an upper respiratory and sinus infection. Was so ill I could not wait to start taking it. I feel a lot better but still not there yet. Still have a dry cough at night and sinus problems. On the 2nd day of taking it, I developed diarrhea, very dark and loose. Still have it but not as severe. These are just inconveniences compared to how sick I was. Glad I'm taking it."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2019

For Sinusitis "I was given this by an ER doctor for sinusitis. I took the first dose at the ER then didn't get a chance to fill the prescription for a week. Was still feeling a little bit of ear congestion from sinusitis, so I grabbed it. The first pharmacy dose gave me nonstop diarrhea and severe nausea, like my stomach was going to explode. So now, I drink probiotic yogurt with a full meal. Took it 2 more times, not as bad but constant anxiety. Had to stop, as I felt worse when taking it. Head congestion is pretty much gone, though I just decided to take Mucinex, and I feel like that has helped even though I'm still dealing with it a bit. Never taking it again."

• Anonymous
• July 24, 2009

For Strep Throat "This medication did clear up my strep throat within the first couple of days being on it. However, the side effects were horrible. I had watery diarrhea for like 3 days, I always felt nausea after taking it even with food, and I had strong stomach pains. Also, by the 4th day on it, I had a yeast infection."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed Augmentin for what my doctor thought was a skin infection on my right leg. Well, after taking my first dose, within 2 hours, my stomach became extremely upset... burning... nausea... diarrhea... bloating... and anxiety and panic have always been an issue for me, but after Augmentin, it was immediately 20 times worse. My doctor ended up telling me to stop taking it on day 5 because it was getting worse and worse. My skin infection cleared up with some hydrocortisone cream and antibiotic ointment, but it's been over 3 months since stopping this medication, and I'm still having major stomach issues and mental issues, so please be careful, people, especially if you have anxiety or stomach issues beforehand."

• Sad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2014

For Bronchitis "I am on day 2 of antibiotics. I took the Z pack only one dose and had a horrible reaction to it. (Swelling of face, fever, diarrhea, you name it.) Stopped taking it, and two days later, started Augmentin. I have been taking Culturelle (Lactobacillus GG) two hours before or after taking the antibiotics. Seems to be helping. No diarrhea. No gas. No hives/itchy skin. But I don't know if it's long enough to tell. ***Take those probiotics.*** Dairy products are putting me over the edge. Stick to non-dairy while taking this."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "This is a strong antibiotic, and it’s horrible on the stomach. After only a couple of hours, my entire stomach was hurting very badly, with severe diarrhea and anxiety. I switched to Keflex, hoping it’s better."

• MJa...
• October 17, 2019

For Sinusitis "I took this for 4 days, and now I’m seriously regretting it. I have serious diarrhea and the worst stomach pain and cramping imaginable. The severe diarrhea has meant 10-15 bowel movements per day. They have been pure liquid. I’m now on day 3 of the episodes, and the diarrhea is now about a 1 to 1 mix of blood and stool. My appetite is shot, and because of the pain and diarrhea, I’m afraid of eating. The stomach pain is so severe that I’ve been bedridden for the last 3 days. It’s so bothersome I’m not able to work from home while I’m off work. It’s kept me awake every night where I get 2-3 hours of sleep, and then the pain builds back up, which requires a pill for pain that I supplement with Tylenol. I’m waiting to hear back on the lab results from the stool sample I provided. There is a chance that my stomach chemistry is damaged to the point that I may have contracted an illness called C. diff, which will require a 3rd type of antibiotic."

• Cal...
• June 16, 2016

For Sinusitis "I am at the end of day 3 of the medication, and I can't do it anymore. The side effects are making life miserable, just in a different way than I started with. I went in because of the headache and congestion that would not respond to anything over the counter, plus vertigo. The vertigo went away after the first day of meds, but the headache is significantly worse. Additionally, my stomach hurts really bad and constantly feels like I have overeaten a massive amount all the time, whether I have eaten or not. I have also had some mild diarrhea. So not worth it for me!"

• Yod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2017

For Sinusitis "Was put on this for an ear and sinus infection. By my second day, I was having bad stomach cramps, excessive bowel movements, some diarrhea, nausea, body aches, joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, nerve tingling in legs and feet, constant headache. Also, I began spotting on my second day, and it was one week before my period was due, this never happens. I spotted until my period started. I have three more days left, and I feel worse than I did before I started it. My ear isn’t completely better yet either, my sinuses have cleared up some but not all the way. I called my doctor, and he said he is hesitant to change my script as my infection was/is so bad, and asked that I just push through side effects. Never again!"

• kka...
• January 13, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Taking this for an unknown bacterial infection - confirmed with CBC, but I personally suspect it's early onset of appendicitis. I'm on a pretty high dose according to my doc (500 mg 3x daily), and oh man. The brain fog is maybe the worst symptom. It starts in about an hour after taking it and settles in for a few hours. It just feels hard to focus on anything, like my vision is blurred almost. Between that and the insomnia, nausea if I eat food anytime between doses, and diarrhea, what a fun medication!! Loss of appetite too I've noticed. I think it's increased my anxiety too, but I'm a bit of a hypochondriac to begin with, so I don't know, my anxiety might be increased just because this drug is whacky. I'm on this thing for 10 days. Today is day 3. Noticed an improvement in my infection symptoms I think? Much less abdominal pain, but it's hard to get a good gauge on that when you're having diarrhea so much!!"

• Com...
• June 3, 2021

For Middle Ear Infections "I took 875 mg 2 x per day. It cleared up my ear infection, however, I had diarrhea for most of the 4 days I was taking it. It was a constant diarrhea too, and a few times it just happened, I wasn’t able to control it. I took it with a probiotic each day. I felt nauseous each day and each time I took it. I also felt very out of sorts mentally and felt like I struggled with doing my job and felt anxiety. The day I didn’t take it during work, I felt much better and back to normal. I dropped it after five days and do not intend to take it again. This was a terrible experience."

• Tri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2021

For Sinusitis "This is the 2nd time I have been Rx'd Augmentin. 2nd time I have been violently ill 2 hrs after taking it. Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pains, and headache. Much to my husband's delight, I also have laryngitis from puking so violently."

• Mur...
• March 5, 2016

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Within 20 hrs (2 doses), I was feeling better. My lungs still hurt when I would cough, but they didn't hurt when I would take a shallow breath. I did get a pretty bad headache that was controlled with APAP. Loose stools developed after day 3. I increased fluids and fiber (ice cold smoothie worked great to fulfill these). Day 6, I was back to normal except for the loose stool. No other complaints. I was also on pearls and codeine during this time. Side effects well worth the benefit after how bad I was hurting."

• Lac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed Augmentin (Amox-Clav) 125 mg every twelve hours for 10 days. Starting having diarrhea the day I started, and by day five, I became so sick I thought I was going to have to go to the ER. Horrible stomach pain and cramps, fever, extreme weakness, painful muscles, mainly in legs, nasty sweat, nightmares, and I lost my sense of smell...which may have been a good thing since I was pretty much stuck in the bathroom. The fever and pain lasted two days after I stopped taking the Augmentin on day five. The diarrhea has continued (on day eight after discontinuing drug) and is pretty much spontaneous. I can’t go anywhere. I have never had stomach issues in my life (I’m 50). I fear my gut is damaged beyond repair. This is a nasty, nasty drug. Also, has worsened my depression and mental state in general."

• Anonymous
• August 15, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was given Augmentin to take after I got an ear infection in the left ear but also had a perforated eardrum on the right. I went to the doctor's after a week, and not only had the infection started to heal, I now had an infection in both ears. He prescribed me more and seemed stumped as to why I was not improving. It's now been 2 weeks, and I have suffered diarrhea and have been dealing with thrush for the past 3 days. On top of this, I am constantly in a massive state of confusion, and my skin is dry and red, my pills have ceased to work. I have stopped taking them and am seeing the doctor tomorrow. Not only did the antibiotics not help my original problem, now I have a whole list of other issues I need to fix."

• Kat...
• August 24, 2016

For Sinusitis "Prescribed a 10-day round for sinus infection in February 2016. Immediately developed digestive issues, cramping, loose bowel movements, gas, and bloating. It is now 6 months later, and I am still battling the issues. Doctors first thought it was UC, but after a colonoscopy, now think IBD or IBS, maybe Celiac. I'm headed to the hospital for additional testing."

• Shi...
• March 1, 2021

For Sinusitis "Went to the ER two times with what later I learned was a severe sinus infection. My Dr. gave me Augmentin, and although much better after a week, it isn’t gone. I took it with yogurt and probiotics because the first couple of days I had cramping and diarrhea. That helped tremendously."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I've given Augmentin a low rating not because it is ineffective as an antibiotic, but because the side effects have been awful for me. I received a nasty dog bite with a deep puncture and was put on Augmentin as a precaution to prevent infection. I wish I had just taken the risk. I took 2 pills daily for 10 days. About 4 days in, I developed severe diarrhea that lasted 4 days straight. I took probiotic supplements and Imodium, which helped only a little. After the period of diarrhea, I became constipated for a few days, and then the diarrhea returned. Currently, it's been 9 days since I finished my last pill, and the cycle of bowel distress has not cleared up. I'm continuing to take probiotics and I'm hoping my stomach will calm down before too long, but it's been an awful couple of weeks, and I regret my decision to take the Augmentin preemptively. On the plus side, the bite wound healed just fine with no infection, so that's something."