What is Amoxicillin?
A penicillin-based antibiotic that battles germs is amoxicillin. Amoxicillin is used for treating various types of infections that are caused by bacteria, like tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and infections that affect the nose, ear, throat, skin, or urinary tract.
Amoxicillin can also be combined with an additional antibiotic known as clarithromycin (Biaxin) to treat stomach ulcers triggered by Helicobacter pylori infections. This is usually utilised in conjunction with a stomach acid-reducing agent known as lansoprazole (Prevacid).
Warnings
Do not take this medication if you are sensitive to amoxicillin or any other penicillin antibiotics like ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Penicillin VK, Pen-V, Pen Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, and Veetids), and others.
If you are allergic to cephalosporins like Omnicef, Cefzil, Ceftin, Keflex, and others, let your doctor know before taking amoxicillin.Inform your doctor if you have asthma, kidney or liver disease, hemorrhage or blood clotting issues, mononucleosis (also known as "mono"), or any other type of allergy.
Amoxicillin could cause birth control pills to become less efficient. Consult your physician about methods that are not based on hormones for birth control (such as condoms, diaphragm, or spermicide) to stop pregnancy when taking this medication. You should take this medication for the entire prescribed duration. Your symptoms could worsen prior to the infection being fully cleared. Amoxicillin cannot treat an infection that is viral, such as the common flu or cold. Don't share this medicine with anyone else, even if they suffer from similar symptoms to yours.
Diarrhea can be caused by antibiotics. It can happen when you're taking amoxicillin or within a couple of months after stopping taking it. It could be a sign of an infection that has recurred. If you experience diarrhea that is bloody or watery and bloody, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor. Don't take anti-diarrhoea medication unless your doctor has told you to.
Before You Take This Drug
It is recommended not to use amoxicillin when you have an allergy to penicillin antibiotics, for example, ampicillin, dicloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin, or ticarcillin.
To ensure that this medication is appropriate for you, consult your doctor if:
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Kidney disease;
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Mononucleosis (also referred to as "mono");
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Diarrhea due to using antibiotics
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Allergies to foods or medications (particularly cephalosporin-containing medicines like Omnicef, Cefzil, Ceftin, Keflex, and others).
It is unclear if this medication will affect a newborn baby. Consult your physician if you are expecting or planning to become pregnant.
Amoxicillin may make the birth control pill less efficient. Consult your physician about the use of an alternative to hormone-free contraceptives (condom diaphragm cervical cap as well as the contraceptive sponge) to avoid pregnancy.
How to Take Amoxicillin?
Use amoxicillin as directed by your physician. Follow the directions on the prescription label, and make sure you read all the medication guides and instructions on the label.Amoxicillin should be taken every day at the same time.
Certain types of amoxicillin could be taken either with or without food. Look up the medicine label to determine if you need to consume your medication in conjunction with food or not.
Make sure to shake the oral suspension (liquid) prior to weighing a dose.
Make sure you measure the liquid medicine using the dosing syringe supplied or with a dosage-measuring device (not an ordinary spoon). It is possible to mix the liquid with milk, water, baby formula, fruit juice, or ginger ale. Consume the entire mixture as soon as you can. Do not store the mixture to use later.
You should chew the tablet thoroughly before you swallow it.
Take the normal tablet whole and do not chew, crush, or break it.
You'll need to take regular medical tests.
If you're taking amoxicillin along with clarithromycin or the lansoprazole drug to treat stomach ulcers, take every medication according to the directions. Take note of the medication guide or patient's instructions that come with every medication. Don't alter your doses or schedule of medication without the advice of your doctor.
Take this medication for the prescribed duration, even if symptoms do not improve immediately. Dosing less frequently can increase the chances of contracting an illness that is not able to be treated with medication. Amoxicillin cannot help treat a viral disease like the flu or a typical cold.Don't share this medication with anyone else, even if they share similar symptoms to yours.
This medication can alter the results of certain tests. Inform any doctor treating you that you're taking this medication.Keep at room temperature, free of heat, moisture, and light.
Amoxicillin liquid can be stored in the refrigerator, but make sure that you do not let it become frozen. Get rid of any liquid medicine that has not been utilized within 14 days following the date it was mixed in the pharmacy.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Do not miss the missed dose, and take the next dose at your regular time.Never combine two dosages into one.
What Happens If I Overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
What Should Be Avoided?
Diarrhea can be caused by antibiotics, which could be a sign of a new infection. If you are experiencing diarrhea that is fluid or bloody, consult your doctor before taking the anti-diarrhoea medication.
Side Effects Of Amoxicillin
See a doctor immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms warning of an allergy reaction with amoxicillin (hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling of your throat or face) or an intense skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burnt eyes, irritation, and red or purple skin itching, blistering, and peeling),
Contact your doctor immediately. If you suffer from:
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Severe stomach pain;
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Diarrhea that is either watery or bloody (even if it's several months after your previous dose).
Common side effects of amoxicillin include:
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Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
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Rash.
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Other side effects could occur. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction With Other Drugs
Inform your doctor about any other medications you take, particularly:
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Other antibiotics,
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Allopurinol;
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Probenecid;
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Is a blood thinner: warfarin, coumadin, and Jantoven.
This list isn't complete. Other drugs can interfere with amoxicillin. This includes medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal supplements. There are many possible interactions between drugs. are listed here.
