Clavulanate / Ticarcillin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 15, 2024.

Applies to clavulanate / ticarcillin: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

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:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• blood in your urine, feeling an urgent need to urinate, painful or difficult urination;

• seizure (convulsions);

• low potassium--confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or

• 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:

• vaginal itching or discharge;

• mild rash;

• nausea, mild diarrhea; or

• 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

• 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]

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]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Elevated AST, elevated ALT
• Postmarketing reports: Elevated AST, elevated ALT, elevated serum bilirubin, transient hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• 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]

Onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms has been reported during or after antibacterial therapy.^[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

Further information

Clavulanate/ticarcillin side effects can vary depending on the individual. 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.

Medical Disclaimer