Can Augmentin Cause Bowel Problems? An In-Depth Look

October 11, 2025 •

3 min read

According to clinical studies, diarrhea is the most common side effect of Augmentin, affecting nearly 1 in 10 people. This broad-spectrum antibiotic can indeed cause a range of bowel problems, from mild and temporary to more serious intestinal issues.

Quick Summary

Augmentin can cause bowel issues like diarrhea by disrupting the gut microbiome. Learn about the causes, common symptoms, management strategies, and when to seek immediate medical attention for more serious complications like C. difficile infection.

Key Points

Common Side Effect: Diarrhea is the most frequently reported bowel problem associated with Augmentin use.
Microbiome Disruption: Augmentin kills beneficial gut bacteria, leading to an imbalance in the gut microbiome that can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues.
Serious Complication: In rare cases, Augmentin can lead to a severe infection called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), characterized by severe, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
Management Strategies: Taking Augmentin with food, staying hydrated, and using specific probiotic strains can help manage mild bowel problems.
When to Call a Doctor: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe diarrhea, fever, bloody stools, or severe abdominal pain, as these may signal a serious infection.
Higher Risk than Amoxicillin: The addition of clavulanate in Augmentin makes it more likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects compared to amoxicillin alone.

How Augmentin Causes Bowel Problems

Augmentin combines amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium to fight bacteria. However, this powerful antibiotic also affects beneficial gut bacteria, disrupting the gut microbiome and potentially causing gastrointestinal issues. Clavulanate may further contribute by increasing intestinal movement, leading to diarrhea.

Common vs. Serious Bowel-Related Side Effects

Bowel issues with Augmentin can range from common, mild symptoms to rare, serious conditions like Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection.

Common, Mild Side Effects

Diarrhea and loose stools are most common.
Nausea and vomiting may also occur.
Symptoms like abdominal discomfort, bloating, and gas are possible.
These often resolve after finishing the medication.

Serious Bowel Side Effects (C. diff)

C. diff infection is serious, caused by bacterial overgrowth and toxin production damaging the colon.
It can occur during or up to several months after antibiotic treatment.
Symptoms include severe watery or bloody diarrhea, intense abdominal pain and cramping, fever, and general malaise.

Factors Influencing the Risk of Bowel Problems

Several factors can increase the risk of experiencing bowel problems while taking Augmentin:

Higher Dosage: Higher doses of Augmentin are linked to increased diarrhea risk.
Formulation Type: The extended-release version might lead to more diarrhea than immediate-release.
Age: Individuals over 65 have a higher risk of C. diff infection.
Prior Illness: A history of C. diff or conditions like IBD increases risk.
Other Medications: Taking PPIs may also elevate C. diff risk.

Comparison of Gastrointestinal Side Effects: Augmentin vs. Amoxicillin

Augmentin, containing clavulanic acid in addition to amoxicillin, carries a higher risk of gastrointestinal side effects than amoxicillin alone. Clavulanate is believed to be a key factor in increasing gut motility and causing diarrhea.


Feature	Amoxicillin	Augmentin (Amoxicillin + Clavulanate)
Diarrhea Incidence	Lower (e.g., ~2%)	Higher (e.g., 3-34%)
Mechanism	Disrupts gut flora	Disrupts gut flora and increases gut motility via clavulanate
Use Case	Mild, uncomplicated infections	Resistant or complicated infections
Gastrointestinal Tolerance	Better tolerated, fewer GI issues	More likely to cause GI upset

Managing and Preventing Bowel Problems from Augmentin

To manage mild bowel issues from Augmentin:

Take with Food: Taking Augmentin with a meal or snack can minimize stomach upset.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of clear fluids, like water or electrolyte solutions, especially if you have diarrhea.
Dietary Adjustments: Consider a bland diet (e.g., BRAT diet) and avoid spicy, greasy, or high-fiber foods. Limiting dairy can also help.
Consider Probiotics: Certain probiotics (like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or Saccharomyces boulardii) may help restore gut bacteria and reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Take probiotics at least two hours apart from your antibiotic.
Consult Your Doctor: Do not take over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications without checking with your healthcare provider, as they could worsen a C. diff infection.

Conclusion

Bowel problems, particularly diarrhea, are a frequent side effect of Augmentin. This is mainly due to its impact on gut bacteria balance, a risk elevated compared to amoxicillin alone due to the clavulanate component. While most symptoms are mild and temporary, persistent or severe issues like watery or bloody stools, fever, and intense abdominal pain could signal a serious C. diff infection requiring prompt medical attention. Taking Augmentin with food, staying hydrated, and using probiotics can help manage mild symptoms, but always contact your doctor for severe or persistent issues.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augmentin causes diarrhea by disrupting the natural balance of bacteria in the gut, known as the microbiome. The antibiotic kills off beneficial bacteria along with the harmful ones, and the clavulanate component can also speed up intestinal movement.

You should not take anti-diarrheal medicine without first consulting your doctor. In cases of C. diff infection, these medications can interfere with your body's ability to clear toxins and potentially make the infection worse.

Mild, antibiotic-associated diarrhea usually subsides shortly after you complete your course of Augmentin. However, some people experience symptoms for a few days to weeks, and C. diff infection can cause symptoms months later.

Signs of a serious bowel problem, such as C. diff infection, include severe or watery diarrhea (more than 3 loose stools in 24 hours), fever, severe abdominal pain, and bloody stools. Seek immediate medical help if these occur.

Yes, children can experience bowel problems from Augmentin, and may be more susceptible to diarrhea and skin rashes than adults. A specific allergic reaction called drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome is also a rare possibility in children.

Augmentin is more likely to cause diarrhea than amoxicillin alone. This is because the clavulanic acid added to Augmentin can contribute to increased gastrointestinal upset.

To help manage mild bowel problems, you can try to temporarily avoid spicy, greasy, and high-fiber foods. It's also often recommended to limit dairy products, as antibiotics can cause temporary lactose intolerance.