Augmentin-induced jaundice.
OBJECTIVE
To alert clinicians to the hepatotoxic potential of Augmentin (amoxycillin and clavulanic acid), a widely prescribed antibiotic, in susceptible patients, and to point out that the hepatic illness may be delayed but serious and protracted.


METHODS
Case reports of patients with Augmentin-induced jaundice referred to the gastroenterology departments in three major teaching hospitals, and a review of cases reported to the Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC).


METHODS
Eight patients with nine episodes of Augmentin-induced jaundice personally treated by the authors from March 1988 to February 1990 are described. A further 19 patients reported to ADRAC from May 1987 to November 1989 are discussed. All patient histories were carefully reviewed to ensure that there was a temporal relationship between the course of Augmentin and the onset of the hepatitic illness and that other causes of jaundice were reasonably excluded.


RESULTS
Jaundice developed in some of these patients several weeks after drug treatment was completed. The illness may be protracted over many weeks. As yet, there has been no case of progressive disease leading to the liver failure.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that a hypersensitivity reaction to clavulanic acid is the likely cause of the jaundice. Therefore, Augmentin, although an important antibiotic, should be reserved for severe infections for which amoxycillin is unsuitable.
Wong
F S
FS
Repatriation General Hospital, West Heidelberg, Vic.
Ryan
J
J
Dabkowski
P
P
Dudley
F J
FJ
Sewell
R B
RB
Smallwood
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007565:Jaundice / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000658:Amoxicillin