Can Augmentin cause fever? Understanding this potential side effect

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

While most people take Augmentin to treat an infection that is causing a fever, the medication itself has been documented as a potential cause of drug-induced fever. It is important to know that Can Augmentin cause fever? is a question with a positive answer, and understanding the context behind this side effect can help identify a benign reaction versus a more serious one. Drug fever is a frequently overlooked adverse reaction that must be differentiated from persistent infection.

Quick Summary

Augmentin can potentially induce a fever, sometimes signaling a severe reaction like an allergy or liver issue, and not just the intended treatment effect. Differentiating between a drug-induced fever and a fever from the underlying infection is crucial for proper management. Patients with concerning symptoms require medical evaluation.

Key Points

Fever is a possible side effect: Augmentin can cause a drug-induced fever, a reaction that must be distinguished from the fever caused by the infection being treated.
Allergic reactions are a serious concern: A fever alongside symptoms like a rash, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing could indicate a severe, life-threatening allergy to Augmentin.
Drug fever often resolves quickly after discontinuation: If the fever is a direct reaction to the drug, it typically subsides within 48 hours of stopping the medication.
Be aware of severe skin reactions: A fever can be an early warning sign of severe skin reactions like SJS/TEN, especially if combined with a blistering rash.
Other causes exist: Less common causes of fever while on Augmentin include liver toxicity and C. diff infections.
Consult a doctor immediately for severe symptoms: Always seek medical help if a fever is high, sudden, or accompanied by other concerning signs like a widespread rash.
Never stop Augmentin without medical advice: Discontinuing an antibiotic prematurely is dangerous and can lead to antibiotic resistance.

Augmentin and the Potential for Drug-Induced Fever

Augmentin is a powerful and widely prescribed antibiotic, a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. As with any medication, it comes with a list of potential side effects, and for a small percentage of users, a fever can be one of them. It's a particularly confusing symptom because the antibiotic is prescribed to combat an infection that is likely already causing a fever. When a fever appears or worsens after starting the medication, it can be difficult to immediately tell if it's a sign of a failing treatment or a reaction to the drug itself. This is why it is essential to be aware of all potential signs and symptoms associated with Augmentin use.

Allergic Reactions and Severe Skin Conditions

One of the most concerning reasons Augmentin can cause a fever is a severe allergic or hypersensitivity reaction. This is not just a standard side effect but a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction often include hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face or throat, which can occur with or without a fever.

In some cases, a high fever can be a warning sign of a severe skin reaction, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), which is a rare but life-threatening condition. Early symptoms may include flu-like signs, fever, and a sore throat before the characteristic red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling appears. If you experience flu-like symptoms in conjunction with a rash while on Augmentin, you should contact a healthcare professional immediately.

Drug Fever: A Diagnosis of Exclusion

Beyond severe allergic reactions, Augmentin can also cause a phenomenon known as “drug fever.” This is a type of fever that occurs as a direct result of the medication, rather than an infection. It is caused by an immune response to the drug and is a relatively rare occurrence. Some key features of drug fever include:

Onset typically occurs within days to weeks of starting the drug.
The fever usually resolves within 48 hours of discontinuing the offending medication.
Patients with drug fever may feel surprisingly well despite having a high temperature, a phenomenon sometimes called an “inappropriate sense of well-being”.
It may be accompanied by a rash, chills, or headache.

Because of its subtle and often delayed onset, drug fever is frequently misdiagnosed as an ongoing or worsening infection, sometimes leading to unnecessary investigations or changes in antibiotic treatment.

Other Potential Causes of Fever During Augmentin Treatment

While allergic reactions and drug fever are key considerations, other issues related to Augmentin can also be linked to a fever:

Liver Toxicity: In some cases, Augmentin use can cause liver injury, which may be accompanied by symptoms like fever, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) may also occur in more advanced cases.
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Infection: As a broad-spectrum antibiotic, Augmentin can disrupt the natural balance of gut bacteria, leading to a C. diff infection. This can cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever, and can even occur months after completing the antibiotic course.

Distinguishing Drug Fever from Infection-Related Fever

It can be challenging for both patients and clinicians to determine the cause of a fever when it arises during antibiotic treatment. The following table provides a comparison of typical features:


Feature	Drug-Induced Fever	Infection-Related Fever
Onset	Occurs days to weeks after starting the drug.	Typically present at the start of treatment; may resolve with treatment.
Associated Symptoms	Often accompanied by a rash or other hypersensitivity symptoms; patient may feel relatively well despite high temperature.	Usually accompanied by other signs of infection (cough, sore throat, pain, etc.).
Response to Therapy	No improvement with continuation of antibiotics; resolves rapidly (48-72 hours) after stopping the medication.	Responds to appropriate antibiotic therapy; fever curve may be different.
Lab Results	Can include eosinophilia (high eosinophil count); cultures negative for bacteria.	Increased white blood cell count (WBC); specific pathogens may be identified.
Clinical Clues	Lack of a clear infectious source; patient's overall condition may not worsen as expected with infection.	Consistent with a known or suspected infectious process.

What to Do If You Develop a Fever on Augmentin

If you develop a fever while taking Augmentin, it is important to take the following steps:

Do not panic. A low-grade fever could be part of the initial infection. Monitor your symptoms closely.
Contact your doctor immediately if the fever is high, sudden, or accompanied by a rash, swelling, or flu-like symptoms. It is crucial to determine if you are having a severe allergic reaction or developing SJS.
Never stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor first. Stopping an antibiotic prematurely can lead to antibiotic resistance and a return of the infection.
Tell your doctor about all of your symptoms. Providing a complete picture will help them determine the most likely cause of the fever and the best course of action.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Augmentin can cause a fever, and understanding the potential reasons is critical. While a mild fever might be benign, a high fever or one accompanied by other symptoms like a rash, swelling, or severe diarrhea warrants prompt medical evaluation. Drug fever is a real phenomenon that can be mistaken for a worsening infection, but it can be diagnosed and managed effectively by a healthcare professional, primarily by stopping the medication. The ultimate takeaway is that any unexplained fever while on Augmentin should be addressed by a doctor to ensure patient safety and proper treatment. For more official drug information, consult the FDA's labeling for Augmentin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Drug fever is a fever that occurs as a reaction to a medication rather than to an infectious agent. It is typically caused by an immune response to the drug and resolves shortly after the medication is discontinued.

Drug-induced fever often presents days or weeks after starting the medication and may be accompanied by a rash, while an infection-related fever is present from the onset of the illness. It is often a diagnosis of exclusion made by a doctor after evaluating your symptoms and checking for other signs of infection.

If you develop a fever while on Augmentin, you should contact your doctor. If the fever is high, sudden, or accompanied by a rash or swelling, seek immediate medical attention.

No, a fever from Augmentin is not always a full-blown allergic reaction. It can be a symptom of a simple drug fever, a liver issue, or another condition. However, fever can also be a key symptom of a severe allergy, so it should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Do not stop taking Augmentin without consulting your doctor. They will need to determine the cause of the fever. Stopping an antibiotic prematurely can worsen your original infection or lead to antibiotic resistance.

Signs of a severe reaction to Augmentin include a fever accompanied by hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, throat, or tongue, or a spreading red or purple rash that blisters and peels.

The primary treatment for drug fever is to stop taking the medication that is causing the reaction, under a doctor's guidance. The fever typically resolves on its own within a few days after stopping the drug.