warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Serious (including fatal) hypersensitivity reactions: Discontinue Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension if a reaction occurs. ( 5.1 ) Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR): Monitor closely. Discontinue if rash progresses. ( 5.2 ) Drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome (DIES) has been reported with use of amoxicillin, a component of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension. If this occurs, discontinue Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension and institute appropriate therapy. ( 5.3 ) Hepatic dysfunction and cholestatic jaundice: Discontinue if signs/symptoms of hepatitis occur. Monitor liver function tests in patients with hepatic impairment ( 5.4 ) Clostridioides difficile- associated diarrhea (CDAD) (ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis): Evaluate patients if diarrhea occurs. ( 5.5 ) Patients with mononucleosis who receive Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension develop skin rash. Avoid use of the drug in these patients. ( 5.6) 5.1 Serious Allergic Reactions, including Anaphylaxis Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving beta-lactam antibacterials, including Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension. These reactions are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. Before initiating therapy with Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other allergens. If an allergic reaction occurs, discontinue Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension and institute appropriate therapy. 5.2 Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension may cause severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR), such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). If patients develop a skin rash, they should be monitored closely, and Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension discontinued if lesions progress. 5.3 Drug-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (DIES) Drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome (DIES) has been reported with use of amoxicillin, a component of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] , with most cases occurring in pediatric patients < 18 years of age. DIES is a non-IgE mediated hypersensitivity reaction characterized by protracted vomiting occurring 1 to 4 hours after drug ingestion in the absence of skin or respiratory symptoms. DIES may be associated with pallor, lethargy, hypotension, shock, diarrhea within 24 hours after ingesting amoxicillin, and leukocytosis with neutrophilia. If DIES occurs, discontinue Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension and institute appropriate therapy. 5.4 Hepatic Dysfunction Use Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension with caution in patients with evidence of hepatic dysfunction. Hepatic toxicity associated with the use of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension is usually reversible. Deaths have been reported (fewer than one death reported per estimated four million prescriptions worldwide). These have generally been cases associated with serious underlying diseases or concomitant medications [see Contraindications ( 4.2 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . 5.5 Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) Clostridioides difficile- associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin-producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial drug use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial drug use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated. 5.6 Skin Rash in Patients with Mononucleosis A high percentage of patients with mononucleosis who receive amoxicillin develop an erythematous skin rash. Thus, Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension should not be administered to patients with mononucleosis. 5.7 Potential for Microbial Overgrowth The possibility of superinfections with mycotic or bacterial pathogens should be kept in mind during therapy. If superinfections occur (usually involving Pseudomonas spp. or Candida spp.), the drug should be discontinued, and appropriate therapy instituted. 5.8 Phenylketonurics Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension contains aspartame which contains phenylalanine. Each 5 mL of the 600 mg/42.9 mg per 5 mL suspension contains 7 mg phenylalanine. 5.9 Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria Prescribing Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.