Amoxycillin
Description
Amoxycillin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat different types of bacterial infections of the throat, lungs, ears, nose, urinary tract, and skin. Amoxycillin is also used with other medications to stop the growth of Helicobacter pylori bacteria that cause stomach ulcer(s). It is not effective against infections caused by viruses or fungus.
Amoxycillin shows some side effects like diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects get aggravated. Avoid taking this medicine if you have a known allergy to it and discontinue if any allergic reactions (skin rash, swelling of face, lips, etc.) are experienced. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin.
Amoxycillin is available on prescription as capsules, tablets, injection, syrup and suspension. Amoxycillin can be taken with or without food and at the same time every day to ensure its better efficacy. Antibiotic treatment must be completed as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking on your own even if you feel better.
Amoxycillin should be used with caution in individuals with kidney, liver and heart problems. Amoxycillin can make birth control pills less effective. You may be asked to take birth control methods to prevent unintended pregnancy.
Amoxycillin may interact with other medicines. Inform your doctor about all other medicines that you may be taking apart from Amoxycillin. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Amoxycillin
- Stomach discomfort
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rash
- Loose stools
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Tooth discoloration
- Change in taste
- Headache
Uses of Amoxycillin
What is it prescribed for?
- Acute otitis media
- Sinusitis
- Pharyngitis/Tonsilitis
- Lung infections
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Cystitis
- Gonorrhoea
- Typhoid fever
- Peptic Ulcer
- Dental Abcess
- Bacterial endocarditis
- Pyelonephritis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionAmoxycillin starts working within 1 hour of administration. You will start to feel better in 3 to 5 days after taking Amoxycillin. But finish your entire course of treatment, even if the condition gets better.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Amoxycillin lasts for about 6 to 8 hours and then you may have to take your next dose as directed by your doctor/pharmacist.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Amoxycillin.
- Usage in pregnancy?Amoxycillin is generally safe in pregnancy to treat bacterial infections. It is not known to cause birth defects when taken by pregnant women. However, it is always better to consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Amoxycillin is safe to use during breastfeeding. It is not known to be harmful to breastfeeding women. It passes into breast milk in very low levels that are not expected to cause severe side effects in breastfed infants. However, it is always better to consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
It is recommended to avoid taking Amoxycillin if you are allergic to it. Some people may get allergic reactions to this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Amoxycillin is generally safe in pregnancy to treat bacterial infections. It is not known to cause birth defects when taken by pregnant women. However, it is always better to consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Amoxycillin is safe to use during breastfeeding. It is not known to be harmful to breastfeeding women. It passes into breast milk in very low levels that are not expected to cause severe side effects in breastfed infants. However, it is always better to consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Allergic reaction
Amoxycillin is likely to cause allergic reactions in some people. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or breathing difficulties.
Antibiotic resistance
Finish your entire course of treatment with Amoxycillin, even if the condition gets better to avoid antibiotic resistance (the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics). If you still feel unwell after completing your antibiotic course, make an appointment to consult your doctor.
Diarrhoea
Amoxycillin can cause diarrhoea because it may also kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine. Get emergency medical help if you experience severe diarrhoea that is watery or bloody. Call your pharmacist/doctor before taking anti-diarrhoeal medication.
Driving or operating machinery
Amoxycillin may cause dizziness, confusion, or fits in some people. Do not drive vehicles or operate machines after taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: If you missed a Amoxycillin dose, make sure that you remember to take your next dose on time. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Injection: Amoxycillin is given in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral: Never take Amoxycillin more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the emergency department of your local hospital.
Injection: Since Amoxycillin is given in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Doxycycline
Methotrexate
Warfarin
Ethinyl Estradiol
Disease interactions
Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis is also called as kissing disease is an infection caused by Epstein-Barr virus. It is spread through saliva. People with mononucleosis may develop a maculopapular skin rash (flat and small raised bumps on the skin) after 5-10 days of treatment with Amoxycillin and resolves within days of discontinuing the use. Amoxycillin that resolves within days of discontinuing the use. Amoxycillin may not be appropriate medicine in people with mononucleosis.
Colitis
Amoxycillin can kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and lead to diarrhoea. Therefore use Amoxycillin with extreme caution if you have stomach and intestinal problems, particularly colitis (swelling of the inner lining of the colon), as it may worsen your condition.
Kidney Disease
Amoxycillin is filtered by the kidney and moved out of your body through urine. People with kidney problems need special consideration while taking Amoxycillin due to the risk of kidney damage.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Urine Sugar Test
Amoxycillin is moved out from the body via urine. High urine concentrations of Amoxycillin might give a false-positive result for the urine sugar test (test to determine the presence of glucose). Inform your doctor or lab technician about the use of Amoxycillin before doing this test.
Oral forms: Take Amoxycillin with or without food.
Never take more than the prescribed dose.
Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Injection: Amoxycillin should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Amoxycillin works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls. This helps in stopping the growth and multiplication of the microorganism, eventually killing it.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Aminopenicillins, Antibiotics
Schedule
Schedule H
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Drugs, H., 2021. Amoxicillin: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 22 January 2021].
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Information on this page was last updated on 25 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.