Amoxicillin

  Amoxicillin

Generic Name: Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that fights against bacteria. 

It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

 It is an amino-penicillin, created by adding an extra amino group to penicillin, to battle antimicrobial resistance.

 Amoxicillin covers a wide variety of gram-positive bacteria, with some added gram-negative coverage compared to penicillin. 

Similar to penicillin, it covers most Streptococcus species and has improved coverage of Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus sp. It also has coverage over Haemophilus influenzae, some Escherichia coli,  Actinomyces sp., Clostridium species, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., and Corynebacteria sp. 

Amoxicillin is also used with other medications to treat stomach/intestinal ulcers caused by the bacteria H. pylori and to prevent the ulcers from returning.

Amoxicillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Using any antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use amoxicillin if you are allergic to any penicillin antibiotic, such as ampicillin, dicloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin, or ticarcillin.

Amoxicillin can make birth control pills less effective.

Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. 

 Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhoea.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;
• mononucleosis (also called "mono");
• diarrhoea caused by taking antibiotics; or
• food or drug allergies

How should I take amoxicillin?

Take amoxicillin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually every 8 or 12 hours. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Drink plenty of fluids while using this medication unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time(s) every day.

Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). You may mix the liquid with water, milk, baby formula, fruit juice. 

You may store liquid amoxicillin in a refrigerator but do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any liquid medicine that is not used within 14 days after it was mixed at the pharmacy.

It is important to note that it is excreted by in the majority of people by the kidney, and some renal adjustment and extra caution may be necessary for renal insufficiency. It is reported to be partially dialysable, and therefore, immediate-release tablets can be an option for dosing after hemodialysis. There are no guidelines for hepatic dosing or geriatric dosing. It was a pregnancy category B drug under the old FDA classification system, which means there have been no studies demonstrating clear risk. It has also been reported to get excreted in breast milk.

by,

Dr.Renju T George,

India.