Augmentin Allergy Alternative

Augmentin is the brand name for a combination antibiotic containing the generic ingredients amoxicillin and clavulanic acid or clavulanate. Some people are allergic to one of the medications contained in Augmentin and will need to receive an Augmentin alternative.

Augmentin

• As Augmentin is a combination product, it will be important to determine the type of allergic reaction indicating the severity of intolerance. The amoxicillin portion of Augmentin is a member of the penicillin family. Patients who are allergic to penicillin will most likely be unable to take amoxicillin in any form and should not use Augmentin. Symptom of true medication allergies include rash, itching of the skin, hives, tightness in the chest, swelling of the tongue, mouth or lips and difficulty breathing. An allergic reaction involving the mouth, throat or difficulty breathing is a medical emergency and should be treated by a physician immediately.

  The other portion of Augmentin is clavulanic acid or clavulanate. Clavulanic acid is an ingredient added to make the amoxicillin work better by preventing bacteria from developing resistance. Clavulanic acid less commonly causes allergic reactions such as itching, rash and difficulty breathing but it may cause other intolerance reactions such as severe gastrointestinal disturbance and CNS changes. If a person cannot take clavulanic acid, they may still be able to take amoxicillin or other penicillin products by themselves but there are also many other alternatives.

Macrolides

• Macrolides including Zithromax or Z-pak (azithromycin), Biaxin (clarithromycin) and EES or Ery-Ped (erythromycin) are Augmentin allergy alternatives used to treat a wide variety of illnesses including respiratory, dental, soft tissue and other infections. Erythromycins may cause side effects such as a metallic taste in the mouth or gastrointestinal upset.

Quinolones

• Fluoroquinolone type antibiotics used as Augmentin alternatives in cases of allergy or intolerance include Maxaquin (lomefloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin), and Avelox (moxifloxacin). They are used for a wide variety of infections but may cause a risk of sun sensitivity, kidney damage and are more likely than other antibiotics to contribute to the development of a severe gastrointestinal infection with Clostridium difficile. Though they are useful for penicillin allergies, some patients may be allergic to them.

Tetracyclines

• Tetracycline group antibiotics such as Achromycin (tetracycline) and Vibramycin (doxycycline) are used as alternatives to Augmentin for the treatment of respiratory, dental and soft tissue infections. Achromycin should not be taken by pregnant women or children under the age of seven due the possibility of grey tooth discoloration in developing teeth of the fetus or child.

Cephalosporins

• Cephalosporins such as Ceclor (cefaclor), Duricef (cefadroxil), and Keflex (cephalexin) were once the most commonly used antibiotics for Augmentin and other penicillin allergies but many bacteria have become resistant to them. Newer medications such as Omnicef (cefdinir) and Spectracef (cefditoren) are more effective; however they do carry a small risk of cross sensitivity with penicillin type allergy. Approximately 7 to 18 percent of patients who are allergic to Augmentin or other penicillin type antibiotics will not be able to take cephalosporins.