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How Long Does Augmentin Stay In The Body?

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Posted on Wed, 26 Oct 2016
Question: I was put on augmentin for an infection. It's making me sick but I only have a day left. I've been taking it for two days. When will it be out of my system completely so that I can feel better again?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Questions for you to help me answer you better.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

What kind of sick are you experiencing? Diarrhea? Vomiting? Nausea?

And what are you taking it for? I'm asking this to determine the necessity of you continuing it?

Did you have a fever, and has it resolved? Have the other symptoms of infection you were being treated for (please describe) resolved?

In terms of when it will be out of your system, in general, the half life of Augmentin is a little over 1 hour but can vary from one person to the next based on age, other medications being taken, and liver metabolism. So in 1 hour, half of the drug is out of your body, and in two hours, half of that is out (i.e. 1/4 left), etc.

But if the symptoms you are experiencing from the Augmenting are due to healthy bowel flora being killed by the antibiotic (usually causing diarrhea) or stomach irritation, the symptoms may continue for a while. A probiotic can help with maintaining normal gut bacteria.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (9 minutes later)
I have cellulitis. I am having diarrhea and vomiting. Nothing has resolved as of yet. Dr. Said that he will have to drain and clean infected area on Friday if not better so I figure if I can stand one more day... But I don't want to be sick for days after from the augmentin.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Recommendations

Detailed Answer:
If you are vomiting a lot, call your doctor about this as that is not ok! Keep up with drinking fluids, and eat small amounts at a time (rather than more at one time) to lessen the stress on your digestive tract.

For the diarrhea, get a good quality probiotic that has lactobacillus acidophillus and bifidus. You can ask a pharmacist for recommendation for choosing a good one at your local pharmacy. Don't take it within 1-2 hours of the antibiotic though.

The vomiting will likely resolve after you discontinue the antibiotic, but the diarrhea may continue for awhile.

But if you are having a lot of vomiting or diarrhea, call your doctor as he may want to stop it.

If the cellulitis is on an area that can be soaked (arm, leg), put it in hot water for several minutes as many times a day as possible. This will increase circulation and allow your white blood cells to help attack the infection. Also, the increased heat makes it inhospitable for the bacteria to multiply (bacteria that infect the skin need body temperature to multiply, and raising the temperature helps prevent this). Be careful not to burn your skin but make the water pretty hot. If the cellulitis is in an area that can't be soaked, apply hot wet wash cloth as often as possible.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (12 minutes later)
Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
One more thing...

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome.

One more thing: It may be the size of the Augmentin that is making you have nausea and vomiting. Call the pharmacy where you got the prescription filled and ask if the form that they dispensed to you can be cut or crushed and mixed with apple sauce or other soft food and eaten. Sometimes that is easier to digest than a big pill.

Doing this won't help the diarrhea but may help the nausea and vomiting.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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How Long Does Augmentin Stay In The Body?

Brief Answer: Questions for you to help me answer you better. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, What kind of sick are you experiencing? Diarrhea? Vomiting? Nausea? And what are you taking it for? I'm asking this to determine the necessity of you continuing it? Did you have a fever, and has it resolved? Have the other symptoms of infection you were being treated for (please describe) resolved? In terms of when it will be out of your system, in general, the half life of Augmentin is a little over 1 hour but can vary from one person to the next based on age, other medications being taken, and liver metabolism. So in 1 hour, half of the drug is out of your body, and in two hours, half of that is out (i.e. 1/4 left), etc. But if the symptoms you are experiencing from the Augmenting are due to healthy bowel flora being killed by the antibiotic (usually causing diarrhea) or stomach irritation, the symptoms may continue for a while. A probiotic can help with maintaining normal gut bacteria.