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Amoxicillin

 
Brand Name(s)
Amoxil®
Generic Name(s)
Amoxicillin
 

Legal Classification of medication

POM
 
Amoxicillin can also be obtained on prescription (POM) and the strength dispensed will depend upon age, weight and clinical need.
 
Formulations
 
Amoxicillin comes in three strengths, 125mg, 250mg and 500mg.
Capsules: 250mg and 500mg
Suspension: 125mg and 250mg/5ml
 
Class of drug
 
Amoxicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic of the penicillin type
 
Indications
 
Amoxicillin is used to treat a wide range of commonly occurring bacterial infections involving the upper and lower respiratory tract, dental, stomach and urinary tract infections. It may also be used long term to prevent infections occurring in susceptible individuals.
 
How does it work?
 
Amoxicillin is penicillin type antibiotic. Penicillin type antibiotics work by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls. Without their cell walls, bacteria die.
 
How is it taken?
 

 Amoxicillin is usually taken orally three times a day. Patient taking drugs such as Warfarin should be aware that amoxicillin may prolong their INR. Patients taking the oral combined contraceptive should be aware that antibiotics may affect the absorption of their pill and reduce its effectiveness. Alternative barrier methods of contraception (condoms) should be used for at least 2 weeks.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

Amoxicillin can be used in pregnancy and its suitability has been well documented in many trials involving human pregnancy. Like all medication in pregnancy though, it should only be used when the benefits clearly outweigh any potential risk to the unborn baby.
 
Amoxicillin can be given safely while breast feeding, trace amounts are excreted in breast milk, which is normally not harmful.
 
Contra-indications
 
Amoxicillin should be avoided by patients who have an allergy to penicillin’s. Patients who are sensitive to cephalosporin antibiotics may also be potentially allergic to penicillin’s, like Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin doses should be reconsidered in those with severe kidney disease.
 
Side-effects
 
The most common side-effects of therapy with Amoxicillin include:
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances, which include diarrhoea and nausea.
  • Skin rash
The less common and very rare side effects of therapy with Amoxicillin include:
  • Vomiting (uncommon)
  • Vaginal thrush (very rare)
  • Anaphylaxis (very rare)
 Author: Dr Shazan Chughtai, MB BS
 Editor: Mr Shiraz Mughal, MPharmS

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This page was created on 23/02/2010 and last updated on 23/02/2010