What is Amoxicillin ?
Amoxicillin is a bacteria-fighting antibiotic.
Amoxicillin is used to treat bacterial infections, like tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and infections in ear, nose, throat, skin, or urinary tract.
Amoxicillin is also occasionally used with another antibiotic known as clarithromycin to treat stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. This combination is sometimes used with a stomach acid reduced called lansoprazole.
Amoxicillin Uses
- Take this medicine with or without food according to the doctor’s instructions, usually for every 8 to 12 hours. Dosing is based on your state of health and response to treatment.
- Drink plenty of fluids while using this medicine
- For the best results, take this antibiotic at regular intervals. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time daily.
- Keep taking this medicine until the full prescribed amount is eaten up, even if symptoms go away after a few days.
- Stopping the drug too soon may allow bacteria to continue to develop, which may cause the infection to return.
Amoxicillin Side Effects
Some side effects of amoxicillin may occur, which rarely require medical attention. These side effects can disappear while your body adapts to the medication. In addition, your doctor may discuss ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
- Abdominal or Stomach cramps or Tenderness
- Back Pain, Leg Pain, or Stomach pains
- Black, Tarry Stools
- Bleeding gums
- Blistering, Peeling, or Loosening of the skin
- Bloating
- Blood in the urine
- Bloody nose
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Clay-Colored Stools
- Cough
- Dark Urine
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty in breathing
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling of discomfort
- Fever
- General body swelling
- Headache
- Heavier menstrual periods
- Hives or welts
- Increased thirst
- Inflammation of the joints
- Itching
- Joint or muscle pain
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle aches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Nosebleeds
- Pain
- Pain in the lower back
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Painful or difficult urination
- Pale skin
- Pinpoint red spots on the skin
- Rash
- Red, irritated eyes
- Redness, soreness, or itching skin
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Sores, welting, or blisters
- Swollen, lymph glands
- Tenderness
- Tightness in the chest
- Unpleasant breath odor
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Unusual weight loss
- Vomiting of blood
- Watery or bloody diarrhea
- Wheezing
- Yellow eyes or skin
These side effects occur in approximately 1 in 10 people. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to the doctor if these side effects are severe or don't go away:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Serious Side Effects:
Serious side effects are rare. Call for medical attention immediately if you get:
- Diarrhea that contains blood or mucus. If you have severe diarrhea for over 4 days, you immediately seek a doctor.
- Pale stool with dark urine, yellowing of the skin, or the whites of your eyes
- Bruising or skin discoloration
- Joint or muscle pains that come after 2 days of taking the medicine
- A skin rash with red patches
Some of these serious side effects can happen up to 2 months after finishing the amoxicillin medication course prescribed by a doctor.
Serious allergic reaction:
About 1 out of 15 people experience an allergic reaction to amoxicillin. In many cases, the allergic reaction is mild and can take the form of:
- Itchy skin rash
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Mild allergic reactions can usually be treated by taking medications
Precautions
Some medications are not well combined with amoxicillin. Consult a doctor before taking amoxicillin medicine with other medications:
- Methotrexate
- A blood thinner called warfarin
- Gout medicines called probenecid and allopurinol
- Other antibiotics
Mixing amoxicillin with herbal remedies and supplements:
There are no known issues with the use of herbal remedies and supplements along with amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin Dosage
Dosage is taken as directed by the physician. Dosing Recommendations for Adults and children > 3 Months.
| Infection | Severity | Usual Adult Dose | Usual Dose for Children > 3 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ear / Nose / Throat Skin / Skin Structure Genitourinary Tract | Mild / Moderate | 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours | 20 mg per kg per day in divided doses every 8 hours |
| Ear / Nose / Throat Skin / Skin Structure Genitourinary Tract | Severe | 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours | 45 mg per kg per day in divided doses every 12 hours |
| Lower Respiratory Tract | Mild / Moderate or Severe | 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours | 40 mg per kg per day in divided doses every 8 hours |
Overdose
Don’t overdose on medication for fast recovery it can cause liver damage. If you overdose on medication, seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of overdose of medication may include the following:
Missed Dose
If you have missed any doses as prescribed, please take it as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if time is for the next scheduled dose. Don’t double the medication to make up for the missed one.
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Decreased urination
- Swelling of any part of the body
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Amoxicillin Storage
tore at room temperature (10-30°C)
NOTE: These side effects may vary from one to one.
