Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin Capsules 250 mg and 500 mg
Amoxicillin, also known as Trimox, Amoxil, or Moxatag, is a prescription medicine used singly or in combination with other drugs to treat different types of bacterial infections. Amoxil is a synthetic Amino derivative of Penicillin. Hence, it can be grouped into the aminopenicillins class of drugs. Amoxicillin will not work for the common cold, flu, or other viral infections. It comes in the form of tablets, capsules, and suspension and can be easily taken orally.
Uses of Amoxicillin
Doctors can prescribe Amoxicillin for the following infections:
- Respiratory infections like community-acquired pneumonia
- Acute otitis media
- Urinary tract infections
- Skin infections
- Salmonella infections
- Streptococcal pharyngitis
- Lyme disease
- Prevention and treatment of anthrax
- Prevention of endocarditis
- Odontogenic infections
- Helicobacter pylori infection in conjunction with Clarithromycin and Omeprazole
Amoxicillin may be used for other infections not listed here as the bacteria is susceptible to it.
How Does Amoxicillin Work?
Amoxicillin is bactericidal, that is, it kills bacteria cells. For this to occur, the drug must bind to penicillin-binding proteins required for the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. This bond prevents further synthesis or ellongation of the bacterial cell wall. Also, it activates autolytic enzymes in the bacterial cell wall. These enzymes cause bacterial cell wall lysis and subsequent destruction/death of the bacteria cells.
Precautions
Do not use this drug if you are allergic to it or other penicillin-related drugs. To be certain that this drug is safe for you, inform your doctor if you fall into any of the following categories:
- If you have infectious mononucleosis
- History of kidney disorders
- Food or drug allergies
- If you are on birth control pills
- Antibiotics induced diarrhea
- Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Even though it is not certain whether it can harm a breastfeeding baby, it is better to inform your doctor if you are a nursing mother before taking Amoxicillin.
How to Use Amoxicillin Oral
It is important to consume Amoxicillin exactly as your physician prescribed it. Each drug pack comes with an information leaflet that you should read. Also, it is best to ingest the drug at the same time each day.
You can take Amoxicillin with or without food; some forms require food intake before consumption. Swallow regular tablets whole, do not crush or chew them. However, chewable tablets should be chewed before swallowing. Shake oral suspensions well and use the liquid measuring device provided to measure the required volume.
Ensure to take this drug for the required length of time even if your symptoms improve quickly. Do not stop it abruptly or skip doses as this could make it less effective next time. Avoid sharing your dosage with another person even if the symptoms appear similar.
Amoxicillin Dosing Information
The dose of Amoxicillin to take is dependent on your weight and age as well as your doctor's assessment of how severe your infection is. Note that there are dosage modifications for kidney impairment, which your doctor will determine. Here, we will only give a general dosage guide to some infections.
- For Treatment of Chlamydia in adults, the dosage is 500 mg orally every 8 hours for 1 week.
- For Treatment of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection, children will need 40 mg/kg body weight taken every 8 hours while adults will need 500 mg every 8 hours.
- For Treatment of Infections of The Throat, Ear, Tongue , Lips, Nose , Skin, and Genitourinary Tract: the usual adult dose for non severe infections is usually 500 mg twice daily or 250 mg every 6 hours for 3 days. If the infection is severe, it is 500 mg three times daily for 5 to 7 days.
- For Treatment of H pylori, 1 gram of Amoxicillin in conjunction with rabeprazole and clarithromycin is given every 12 hours for 2 weeks.
Side Effects
The common side effects are mild. They include nausea, diarrhea, rashes, and vomiting. Prolonged use of Amoxicillin for repeated times can result in:
- Symptoms of liver impairment
- Oral thrush
- Vaginal yeast infection
- Bloody stool with or without mucus
- Changes in vaginal discharge
- Clostridium difficile disturbances
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects like:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Swelling in your face, throat, or eyes
- Severe skin reactions
- Unexplained fever
- Hives
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Discoloration of the skin or eyes
- Burning eyes
- Severe abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Sudden reduction in urine production
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Unusual tiredness or fatigue
Missed Dose and Overdose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can remember. But if it is closer to your next dose, skip the missed dose. Also, if you suspect an overdose, call 911 or the poison control center in your area.
Interaction
Amoxicillin interacts with 40 drugs. However, the major ones include:
- BCG
- Mycophenolate mofetil
- Fecal microbiota spores live
- Methotrexate
- Cholera vaccine live
- Mycophenolic acid
- Typhoid vaccine live
It also interacts with the following disease conditions:
- Phenylketonuria
- Mononucleosis
- Hemodialysis
- Colitis
- Kidney dysfunction
- Diabetes
Storage
Amoxicillin should be stored at room temperature away from moisture, direct sunlight, and heat. The suspensions should be refrigerated and discarded after 7 days of reconstitution.