Augmentin and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Son...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2020

For Sinusitis "I started taking Augmentin and had a panic attack that very night. I had never had a problem with anxiety or panic attacks. I had my medication changed. Later on, I got another sinus infection, and was told that Augmentin couldn't have given me a panic attack, so I decided to listen to them and give Augmentin another try. Well, guess what, another panic attack. Those were two of the scariest experiences of my life. I couldn't breathe, I was trembling, chest pounding. Doctors need to listen to patients more and not think that they know everything about a medication just because research hasn't shown it yet."

• GSa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Taking Augmentin 875/125 2x daily prophylactically to prevent infection from a deep puncture cat bite. Five days in, there is no sign of infection, and everything appears to be healing fine. So, it seems to have potentially prevented infection. But wow, did it make me feel awful. Brain fog with difficulty focusing mentally and visually. No energy. Lots of nausea, lack of appetite, and generally feeling out of it. Diarrhea occurs without enough fiber. As others have said, I think it's increased my anxiety significantly. Haven't had any panic attacks for a long time, until this beauty. I'm not sure I'll ever know if it prevented an infection or not. I do know that it caused me to feel like absolute crud!"

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "After taking this drug for 2 days, I had uncontrollable anxiety and ended up in the emergency room with a blood pressure of 190 over 100. This drug has caused panic attacks and anxiety. I will never take it again."

• Lau...
• June 12, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "Feeling horrendous, like I'm being poisoned! Was prescribed this after a trip to A&E with an upper UTI/kidney infection. I don't normally take meds, and I'm trying to avoid antibiotics as I have leaky gut, but the Dr urged me to take them as the infection was so bad. Anyway, the first day or two weren't too bad, but then I woke up and felt like I'd been hit by a freight train. Here are some of the things I've been experiencing: nausea, bloating, thrush, severe migraine-like headaches, loss of appetite, depression and mood swings, paranoia, anxiety, dehydration due to constant urination, burning pain in my limbs and a stiff neck, a feeling of being hungover each morning, dizziness and 'brain fog,' and a dry cough! Never taking these again!!!"

• sar...
• August 23, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "This medication is freaking me out! I have sinusitis, a chest infection, and a bacterial infection. All my thoughts are super negative and snarky. I have constant anxiety and feel like doing push-ups and running a mile, but I am sick, so I can't. I can't sleep and am having hallucinations. It is, however, the only antibiotic that seems to work for me. I have an immune system disorder (hypogammaglobulinemia) and get bacterial infections anywhere often, particularly chest and sinus. Do I suck it up? Double up on antidepressants? Or 'just breathe' to lower my anxiety? ... Totally freaking out and trying not to rage. I am going to have to take time off work so I don't offend someone and ruin my career."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "Prescribed Augmentin fairly frequently for diverticulitis (as I suffer from autoimmune neutropenia too, I am on a lower threshold for treatment as the risk of life-threatening infection is high). I always feel better after two days, but that's when the gates of hell open and the side effects knock me out completely. If I don't take in enough fluids, my kidneys feel like they'll explode, I feel so incredibly weak and lifeless, it gives me a constant headache for the duration of treatment, nausea, no appetite, diarrhea, intestinal pain worse than what it's supposed to treat, and it causes my emotional state to deteriorate severely - I can't stop crying and feel so very stressed, agitated, and anxious."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "Prescribed Augmentin fairly frequently for diverticulitis (as I suffer from autoimmune neutropenia too, I am on a lower threshold for treatment as the risk of life-threatening infection is high). I always feel better after two days, but that's when the gates of hell open and the side effects knock me out completely. If I don't take in enough fluids, my kidneys feel like they'll explode, I feel so incredibly weak and lifeless, it gives me a constant headache for the duration of treatment, nausea, no appetite, diarrhea, intestinal pain worse than what it's supposed to treat, and it causes my emotional state to deteriorate severely - I can't stop crying and feel so very stressed, agitated, and anxious."

• bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed this by my doctor for sinusitis. I’ve been on all types of antibiotics in my life, and this stuff is horrible. Went on my lunch break, and I was convinced I was dying. Anxiety, panic attacks, tarry stool (gastric bleeding?), chest and back pain, side pain, chest tightness, abdominal cramping (felt like something was tearing into my stomach), sweating, terrible diarrhea, pale, dizziness, huge headache, etc. Only took one dose, stopped dosage, and called my ENT doctor for an appointment."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2020

For Sinusitis "I was recently prescribed Augmentin 875 mg two times a day for 10 days for a very severe upper respiratory/sinus infection. On day one, I had pain in my head, some sweating/chills, lethargy, and stomach upset. Day two, I had bad diarrhea, anxiety, nervousness/agitation, sweating/chills, and some tiredness. Day three, I had all of the above, as well as developing one hive on my right arm after my evening dose. The medication helps my sinus infection, but the side effects are troubling. I do not feel good for at least two or three hours after taking this medication."

• Ste...
• September 11, 2019

For Sinusitis "Was prescribed Augmentin for a sinus infection, and my anxiety has been crazy (already diagnosed with anxiety, and it seems to be worse). My throat felt worse before it got better. I'm also having headaches, nausea, and loose bowels. I can't wait to be done!"

• Hat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2019

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed this from the hospital for sinusitis. I’ve been on all types of antibiotics in my life, and this stuff is horrible. Woke up this morning convinced I was dying. Anxiety, panic attacks, tarry stool, chest and back pain, side pain, chest tightness, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, pale, dizziness, headache. I could go on. Stopped dosage and heading to PCP tomorrow to figure out what’s going on now."

• Jef...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I took it for a severely abscessed tooth. It did clear up after 5 days (2 1000 mg tabs a day). However, I felt horrible the entire time. Gave me so much anxiety that I had 2 panic attacks. I had headaches, stomach pain, and diarrhea. No appetite, even though you have to eat in order to tolerate the medicine. My infection was really bad, and I'm thankful that the Augmentin cleared it up, but I'm not sure if I would be willing to take it again."

• Lem...
• January 26, 2020

For Sinusitis "Sinus infection had green mucus and coughing green mucus. I take antidepressants and benzodiazepines for anxiety. I’ve taken Augmentin for three days, my anxiety is out the roof, feels like my depression is awful. I’ve been crying. I’m not taking Augmentin again. It works for sinus infection, but the side effects are too much for me."

• MsE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2016

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I've been on Augmentin for 7 days now. It is helping my upper respiratory infection, but I'm having anxiety and very loose stools (very dark diarrhea). Also, my heart beats faster than normal too. I've only got 3 days left to take it. I'll be glad when it's done. I also feel fatigued and have a little blurry vision. My body is very sensitive to drugs. But despite all that, I do feel it has helped with the upper respiratory problem. I'm just ready to feel better and healthy!"

• Ana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2019

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I have really bad anxiety about eating things in general, I have always struggled with this. However, when I started taking Augmentin, not only did it greatly improve my infection, it made me really relaxed, so much that I was finally able to eat whatever I liked without worrying about it. I ended up eating normally like I should, and everything was perfect. Unfortunately, I had to stop taking it at some point, and my anxiety came back a bit worse than it was before. I've been seeing really bad reviews for it, but I've only ever had great experiences. :)"

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2019

For Sinusitis "I was given this by an ER doctor for sinusitis. I took the first dose at the ER then didn't get a chance to fill the prescription for a week. Was still feeling a little bit of ear congestion from sinusitis, so I grabbed it. The first pharmacy dose gave me nonstop diarrhea and severe nausea, like my stomach was going to explode. So now, I drink probiotic yogurt with a full meal. Took it 2 more times, not as bad but constant anxiety. Had to stop, as I felt worse when taking it. Head congestion is pretty much gone, though I just decided to take Mucinex, and I feel like that has helped even though I'm still dealing with it a bit. Never taking it again."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "This has been a terrible experience. Given 875 mg for 7 days for diverticulitis. Side effects are extremely tired, anxiety, complete loss of appetite, bloating, and full of gas, extreme weakness in legs, feel like passing out. Worse than the problem it was for. One more day left and feel like passing on it. Hopefully, I will bounce back after it is out of the system. Unless you can lay around and not have to function, I would not take. Could barely take a shower, was so tired. In my opinion, bad stuff."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed Augmentin for what my doctor thought was a skin infection on my right leg. Well, after taking my first dose, within 2 hours, my stomach became extremely upset... burning... nausea... diarrhea... bloating... and anxiety and panic have always been an issue for me, but after Augmentin, it was immediately 20 times worse. My doctor ended up telling me to stop taking it on day 5 because it was getting worse and worse. My skin infection cleared up with some hydrocortisone cream and antibiotic ointment, but it's been over 3 months since stopping this medication, and I'm still having major stomach issues and mental issues, so please be careful, people, especially if you have anxiety or stomach issues beforehand."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "This is a strong antibiotic, and it’s horrible on the stomach. After only a couple of hours, my entire stomach was hurting very badly, with severe diarrhea and anxiety. I switched to Keflex, hoping it’s better."

• kka...
• January 13, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Taking this for an unknown bacterial infection - confirmed with CBC, but I personally suspect it's early onset of appendicitis. I'm on a pretty high dose according to my doc (500 mg 3x daily), and oh man. The brain fog is maybe the worst symptom. It starts in about an hour after taking it and settles in for a few hours. It just feels hard to focus on anything, like my vision is blurred almost. Between that and the insomnia, nausea if I eat food anytime between doses, and diarrhea, what a fun medication!! Loss of appetite too I've noticed. I think it's increased my anxiety too, but I'm a bit of a hypochondriac to begin with, so I don't know, my anxiety might be increased just because this drug is whacky. I'm on this thing for 10 days. Today is day 3. Noticed an improvement in my infection symptoms I think? Much less abdominal pain, but it's hard to get a good gauge on that when you're having diarrhea so much!!"

• Com...
• June 3, 2021

For Middle Ear Infections "I took 875 mg 2 x per day. It cleared up my ear infection, however, I had diarrhea for most of the 4 days I was taking it. It was a constant diarrhea too, and a few times it just happened, I wasn’t able to control it. I took it with a probiotic each day. I felt nauseous each day and each time I took it. I also felt very out of sorts mentally and felt like I struggled with doing my job and felt anxiety. The day I didn’t take it during work, I felt much better and back to normal. I dropped it after five days and do not intend to take it again. This was a terrible experience."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2020

For Strep Throat "I was diagnosed with strep throat and given amoxicillin, and strep came back, and so they gave me Augmentin. Two pills in, and I started noticing little dots on my skin but thought it was normal and didn't want to be in pain, so I took 6 days of it (don't do that if you start to develop a rash). I had hives all over my body that itched. It made me self-conscious and depressed, and I can't work right now because my job is labored and I sweat a lot. The doctor didn't want to give me anything else because my immune system was freaking out. A week and a half later, my hives are still spreading, and my strep comes back. I was given a steroid injection that helped relieve some of the itching, taking Zyrtec daily, prednisone, and Keflex this time due to my other antibiotic allergy. Two weeks since I stopped taking Augmentin, and anything that causes me mental anguish or anxiety flares my whole body up with hives that feel like bugs are crawling over me. My immune system has been destroyed by three bouts of strep in 30 days."

• ANi...
• February 12, 2019

For Middle Ear Infections "First, let me start by saying that I don't really do well with antibiotics. I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2005 (positive blood test), and I've had autoimmune issues ever since. For some reason, antibiotics tend to make me feel really bad, but there are times when I'm left with no choice but to take them. So... I was diagnosed last week with a severe ear infection, ruptured eardrum, draining ear. Anyway, I had to take an antibiotic, and this was the one prescribed. I was prescribed this at 1000mg/2 times per day. The first and second days, I felt a little run down, but attributed it to the infection. Pretty much the same with the third and fourth days, but a little more intense. By the 5th and 6th days, I literally felt like I was losing my mind. Felt super weak, anxious, and panic attacks galore! Today was my 8th day on the medication, and I literally almost called 911 tonight! My heart was beating so fast, legs were super weak, head was spinning... just felt horrific!"

• Tir...
• August 31, 2020

"Took this drug for 5 days. Did not help at all! Side effects were body aches, anxiety, cloudy brain, dizziness! I stopped 2 days ago, and I still feel terrible! Can’t skip work because I had to take time off while taking this nasty drug! Do not take this unless your life depends on it!"

• TSE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2022

For Sinusitis "Worked great for my kidney infection and frequent sinus infections but has an extremely bad impact on my mental health. Symptoms include worsening depression, worsening anxiety, extreme insomnia, and horrifically bad vivid nightmares. Extremely emotional and crying for no reason. I found taking a very powerful probiotic a few times a day a few hours after my dose helped, but it didn’t completely take it away. I would be careful of this medication if you’ve got mental health issues."