Amoxicillin
About Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic containing amoxicillin, used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. It is effective against respiratory, genitourinary, and skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Amoxicillin also treats uncomplicated gonorrhoea and is used in combination therapy to eradicate H. pylori, reducing the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence. A bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria enter the body and multiply, causing illness. These bacteria can invade tissues and release toxins, resulting in symptoms such as fever, pain, and inflammation. Proper treatment with antibiotics can help eliminate the infection.
Amoxicillin contains Amoxicillin that works by interfering with the formation of the bacterial cell wall, which is essential for the bacteria’s survival. It weakens the cell wall, causing it to break down and ultimately killing the bacteria. This helps the body fight off bacterial infections effectively.
The dose and duration of treatment with Amoxicillin will be determined by the doctor based on your medical condition. Sometimes, Amoxicillin may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rash. Most of these side effects are temporary and gradually resolve over time. However, consult the doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Do not take Amoxicillin if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients. If you are unsure about your allergies, please consult your doctor. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult the doctor before taking Amoxicillin. Let your doctor know if you have any pre-existing medical conditions and if you are taking any other medications before taking Amoxicillin to rule out potential interactions.
Uses of Amoxicillin
• Treats respiratory tract infections: Amoxicillin is effective in managing infections of the ear, nose, throat, and lower respiratory tract caused by Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae.
• Manages genitourinary tract infections: Used to treat infections of the urinary and genital tracts caused by E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Enterococcus faecalis.
• Heals skin and soft tissue infections: Indicated for skin and skin structure infections caused by Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and E. coli.
• Treats uncomplicated gonorrhea: Used for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated ano-genital and urethral gonococcal infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Used in H. pylori eradication: As part of a combination regimen, Amoxicillin aids in eliminating Helicobacter pylori, thereby reducing the risk of recurrence of duodenal ulcers.
Medicinal Benefits
Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that helps treat various bacterial infections like ear, nose, or throat (ENT) infections, skin infections, genitourinary tract and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) caused by susceptible bacteria. Amoxicillin is effective against gram-positive (S. pneumoniae) and gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoea).
Directions for Use
- Amoxicillin can be taken with food to avoid stomach upset or as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow Amoxicillin as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Amoxicillin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Rash
Drug Warnings
Do not take Amoxicillin if you are allergic to Amoxicillin or any of its ingredients. Inform your doctor if you are taking hormonal contraceptives, as amoxicillin may reduce their effectiveness. Use an additional method of birth control to prevent pregnancy during treatment. Let your doctor know if you have or have had mononucleosis, kidney or liver disease, allergies, asthma, hay fever, or hives. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, contact your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications to rule out potential interactions.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Amoxicillin may interact with certain penicillin antibiotics, blood thinners (warfarin, coumadin), uric acid-lowering drugs (allopurinol, probenecid), and anti-cancer or anti-arthritis drugs (methotrexate).
Drug-Food Interactions: Consuming grapefruit juice and dietary supplements containing minerals like calcium may also reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Amoxicillin should not be given in the condition of colitis, glandular fever, and chronic kidney disease. Colitis is characterised by severe diarrhoea and abdominal cramps associated with the passage of mucus and blood via stool or vomiting.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown whether alcohol interacts with alcohol. However, it is best to avoid alcohol as a precautionary measure to prevent unwanted side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionAmoxicillin is a pregnancy category B drug. So, Amoxicillin should be taken by pregnant women only if prescribed by the doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Amoxicillin passes into breastmilk. Please consult the doctor before taking Amoxicillin, if you are a breastfeeding woman.
Driving
cautionAmoxicillin may cause dizziness in some individuals. Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you are fully alert.
Liver
cautionConsult your doctor if you have any history of liver disease before taking Amoxicillin. The doctor will evaluate the risks and benefits before prescribing this medication.
Kidney
cautionConsult your doctor if you have any history of kidney disease before taking Amoxicillin. The doctor will evaluate the risks and benefits before prescribing this medication.
Children
safe if prescribedAmoxicillin is safe for children when used as prescribed by the doctor. The dose is carefully adjusted based on the child’s age and weight to ensure effectiveness and safety.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- After taking the full course of Amoxicillin, probiotics should be taken to restore some of the healthy bacteria in the intestine that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods, like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut, and kimchi, can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
- Include more fibre-enriched foods in your diet, as they can be easily digested by gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fibre foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after taking a course of antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread and brown rice should be included in your diet.
- Avoid consuming too many calcium-enriched foods and drinks, as they may affect the functioning of Amoxicillin.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Amoxicillin as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the $ system in fighting off infections.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. It can target any body part and multiple parts very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalised symptoms like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Bacteria come in various forms, including spherical, rod-shaped, and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections range from minor illnesses, such as sore throats and ear infections, to severe brain infections, including meningitis and encephalitis. A few harmful bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. However, individuals with weakened immune systems or those taking immunosuppressive medications are more susceptible to bacterial infections.
FAQs
Amoxicillin is used to prevent and treat different types of bacterial infections like chest infections (pneumonia, bronchitis), ear/nose/throat (ENT) infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, leg ulcers, gum ulcers and dental infections, and pressure sores.
Amoxicillin kills the bacterial cell by blocking the chemical (mucopeptides) released by the bacteria's outer layer (cell wall). In turn, Amoxicillin weakens and destroys the bacterial cell wall. It is a broad range of antibiotics that helps in fighting various types of bacteria.
Amoxicillin belongs to the class of penicillin antibiotics. Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against a wide range of bacteria. On the other hand, penicillin is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic effective against a smaller number of bacteria.
Do not use antidiarrheal medication until the doctor has prescribed it for you. You can drink plenty of fluids (electrolytes) to avoid dehydration. Additionally, you can also take prebiotics or probiotics to manage diarrhoea, as they may help increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, which aids in digestion.
Yes. If you are taking AMOXICILLIN in liquid form, it can stain your teeth. However, this is temporary and goes away after brushing. It is common in children.
Try to stay well hydrated by drinking at least six glasses of water or other fluids per day. Keep your underwear clean and use cotton underwear to prevent the spread of infection. Always keep your bladder empty as much as possible by peeing regularly. Your doctor may prescribe cranberry juice with antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections.
You should avoid the intake of anti-cancer drugs or anti-arthritis drugs (methotrexate), blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin), and uric acid-lowering drugs (allopurinol, probenecid). Besides this, if you are taking any ayurvedic, homoeopathy, Unani, herbal or OTC supplements, let your doctor know about this. These medicines may interact with Amoxicillin.
Clinical evidence suggests that Amoxicillin is safe to be used in pregnancy. However, consult a doctor if you have any concerns.
After taking an antibiotic, you may need to wait up to three hours to eat or drink any dairy products, including milk, butter, yoghurt, and cheese. Grapefruit juice and dietary supplements containing minerals like calcium may also work to dampen the effect of antibiotics.
No. You should complete the full course of Amoxicillin as prescribed by your doctor. After completing the whole course, Amoxicillin will work. You must take Amoxicillin at the correct dose, at the right times, and for the recommended number of days.
Amoxicillin does not work against viral infection. Therefore, it should not be used to treat common colds or coughs.
Yes. Use of Amoxicillin may lower the efficiency of birth control pills. Ask your doctor about using other contraception devices like diaphragm, condom, spermicide, copper T, etc with Amoxicillin.
No, Amoxicillin may help to a certain extent, but is not prescribed for the treatment of bacterial vaginitis. However, it is better to consult a doctor for its treatment. In most cases, Metronidazole is the most effective treatment for anaerobic bacteria which cause vaginal infection.
Amoxicillin is generally considered safe when used as prescribed by a doctor. However, like all medications, it can have side effects and potential interactions with other drugs. It is essential to follow your doctor's instructions and inform them of any pre-existing medical conditions or current medications to prevent potential complications.
Amoxicillin does not cause drowsiness. However, individual responses towards the medication may vary. Please inform to your doctor if you are experiencing such unusual symptoms.
Amoxicillin may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Symptoms include rash, hives, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis. If you experience any symptoms, stop taking the medication and seek medical attention immediately.
Amoxicillin may cause diarrhoea in some individuals as a common side effect. However, it vanishes as your body adjusts to the medication. If it worsens, please consult a doctor for relief.
Generally, Amoxicillin starts working within a few days. However, the response may vary from person to person, depending on the dose, the severity of the infection, and the individual's unique reaction to the medication. Follow your doctor's instructions strictly to have quick and optimal results without any side effects.
If your symptoms persist or fail to improve, consult your doctor. Please note that it may take some time to fully heal your condition, as the treatment process can be gradual. However, if you do not see improvement, your doctor may need to reassess your condition, adjust the dosage, or consider alternative treatments. In some cases, the infection may be resistant to the antibiotic, requiring further evaluation and treatment. Do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you have concerns or questions about your progress.
Amoxicillin can affect the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills, potentially leading to pregnancy. It is better to use an alternative method of contraception while taking Amoxicillin. Discuss with your doctor for personalised advice on safe contraceptive methods during this time.
The common side effects of Amoxicillin that may occur in some individuals are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, and vaginal yeast infection. However, these symptoms vanish as your body adjusts to the medication. If these symptoms worsen, consult a doctor for relief.
