Amoxicillin

April 19, 2021

Where is Amoxicillin used?

Amoxicillin is a prescription used for the treatment of a wide variety of bacterial infections. This only works on bacterial infections and not for viral infections. This is used for many different types of bacteria such as:

  • Pneumonia
  • Bronchitis
  • Gonorrhea
  • Tonsillitis
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Infections of the skin, throat, nose, or ear

Amoxicillin belongs to the group of antibiotics called penicillin.  This is a semisynthetic antibiotic which is an analog of ampicillin that helps fight the bacteria. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved this medication since 1980.

How does Amoxicillin work?

Amoxicillin works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to create cell walls. Its cell walls are important for their life. They preserve unwanted bodies from entering their cells. Then it stops the substances of their cells from leaking out. This medicine weakens the connections that hold the bacterial cell wall together. This lets holes appear in the cell walls and destroy the bacteria. Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that kills a wide variety of bacteria that cause a wide variety of commonly occurring infections.

How is Amoxicillin taken?

The recommended dosage will depend on your condition and response. This is usually taken every 8-12 hours. Each dose is to be taken by mouth, with or without a meal. You need to drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine. Swallow the medicine as a whole. Take this antibiotic at an evenly spaced time for the best effect. Follow the prescription of your doctor very carefully.

Even if symptoms disappear after a few days continue taking this medication until the full prescription is finished. Stopping the medication ahead of time might allow bacteria to continue to grow which may result in a return of the infection. Call your doctor if your condition does not improve or gets worse.

What are the possible side effects of Amoxicillin?

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Joint pain
  • Stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Muscle weakness
  • Numbness

What are the precautions in taking Amoxicillin?

  • Before using amoxicillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to it.
  • This drug may cause you to have a false-positive reaction when testing for sugar in the urine. Discuss with your doctor how you can manage your blood sugar while taking this medicine.
  • The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process medicines more slowly. For this reason, more of the medicine stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.
  • If you have severe kidney disease, your kidneys may not clear this medicine from your body rapidly. Consequently, levels of the drug may accumulate in your body. To help avoid this, your doctor may give you a lower dose of this medicine.
  • Do not use this on another condition without consulting.
  • Consult first your doctor if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman.
  • Inform your doctor if you have any allergies, medical history, or current medications.
  • Keep this in a dry and clean place to avoid contamination.
  • Keep this away from the reach of children or your pets.