Amoxycillin
About
Amoxycillin belongs to a group of anti-bacterial or antibiotics known as penicillin. Amoxycillin 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. Besides this, it is also used with various antibiotics like clarithromycin to treat stomach ulcers caused by H. Pyroli bacteria.
Amoxycillin has a similar method of killing bacteria as penicillin. Amoxycillin kills the bacterial cell by blocking the chemical (mucopeptides) released by the bacteria's outer layer (cell wall). In turn, Amoxycillin weakens and destroys the bacterial cell wall. It is a broad range of antibiotics that helps in fighting various types of bacteria.
Amoxycillin is available in oral tablets, capsules and syrup dosage forms. You should take the syrup form of Amoxycillin as your doctor advises. The tablet or capsule form of Amoxycillin should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew or break it. Most bacterial infections get treated within one week, while some conditions might take longer. So, it would be best if you tried to complete the prescribed dosage. During the treatment with Amoxycillin, you may observe some common side effects like feeling sick (nausea) and diarrhoea. But these side effects are usually in the initial phase and then resolve after some time. However, if these side effects persist, let your doctor know. Prolonged intake of the liquid form of Amoxycillin may cause temporary staining of teeth (especially in children) that can be removed by brushing.
To treat your condition effectually, continue using Amoxycillin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. Do not use Amoxycillin without doctor's advice if you had a skin reaction or irritation to any medicine. Do not use Amoxycillin in more than prescribed doses or longer duration as it may cause adverse effects. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all the medicines you take before taking Amoxycillin to rule out any side effects. Do not discontinue or abruptly stop the medication as it may lead to antibiotic resistance, a condition in which bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.
Uses of Amoxycillin
Medicinal Benefits
Amoxycillin 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. Amoxycillin is effective against gram-positive (S. pneumoniae) and gram-negative bacteria (E Coli, Haemophilus influenza, Neisseria gonorrhoea). Besides this, Amoxycillin also helps treat stomach ulcers caused by the H Pyroli bacteria. And if combined with antibiotics like clarithromycin and acidity, medicine like lansoprazole help reduce the symptoms of duodenum ulcer. Amoxycillin can be safely prescribed and well-tolerated among adults, children, pregnant and nursing mothers.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Amoxycillin
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Serious allergic reactions may be reported in patients taking Amoxycillin, including raised itchy skin rashes, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. Taking Amoxycillin may cause antibiotic-induced diarrhoea in some cases. Penicillin antibiotics, blood thinners (warfarin, coumadin), uric acid-lowering drugs (allopurinol, probenecid), and anti-cancer or anti-arthritis drugs (methotrexate) may severely interact with Amoxycillin. Tell your doctor if you have chronic kidney disease or viral glandular fever (mononucleosis) before taking Amoxycillin. This medicine may lower the efficiency of oral birth control pills or contraceptive devices. An intake of Amoxycillin may alter some glucose urine tests like the copper reduction test report.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Amoxycillin interact with penicillin antibiotics, blood thinners (warfarin, coumadin), uric acid-lowering drugs (allopurinol, probenecid), and anti-cancer or anti-arthritis drug (methotrexate).
Drug-Food Interactions: Grapefruit juice and dietary supplements containing minerals like calcium may also work to dampen the effect of antibiotics.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Amoxycillin should not be given in the condition of colitis, glandular fever, and chronic kidney disease. Colitis is characterized by severe diarrhoea and abdominal cramps associated with the passage of mucous and blood via stool or vomiting.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDo not drink too much while taking this medicine. Drinking a lot of alcohol may more likely to drowsiness, dizziness or sleepiness side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionAmoxycillin is a pregnancy category B drug. So, Amoxycillin can be safely taken by pregnant women if prescribed by the doctor.
Breast Feeding
safe if prescribedCan safely give Amoxycillin to breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionYou may have side effects like dizziness after taking Amoxycillin that may make you unfit to drive. So, it is advisable not to drive or operate machinery until you are feeling well.
Liver
safe if prescribedAmoxycillin can be safely taken in case of liver disease if prescribed by the doctor. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing Amoxycillin.
Kidney
cautionTake Amoxycillin with caution if you have severe kidney disease. Your doctor may reduce the dose of Amoxycillin in patients with severe renal impairment (GFR less than 30 mL/min).
Children
safe if prescribedCan be Amoxycillin safely to children, dose to be adjusted and recommended by a child specialist only.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- After taking the full course of Amoxycillin, 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 restore the intestine's good bacteria stink.
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it 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 taking too many calcium-enriched foods and drinks as it might affect the working of Amoxycillin.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Amoxycillin as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the Amoxycillin 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 our body. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Bacteria are of various forms comprising commonly spherical, rod, and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. Few harmful bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine can make you more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Amoxycillin kills the bacterial cell by blocking the chemical (mucopeptides) released by the bacteria's outer layer (cell wall). In turn, Amoxycillin weakens and destroys the bacterial cell wall. It is a broad range of antibiotics that helps in fighting various types of bacteria.
No, Amoxycillin may help to a certain extent but is not prescribed to treat 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.
Amoxycillin belongs to the class of penicillin antibiotic. Amoxycillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against a wide range of bacteria. On the other hand, penicillin is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic effective against fewer bacteria.
Do not use anti diarrhoeal until the doctor has prescribed you. You can drink plenty of fluids (electrolytes) to avoid dehydration. Besides this, you can also take prebiotics or probiotics to manage diarrhoea as it may help increase the number of good bacteria in the intestine, which aids indigestion.
Try to stay well hydrated by drinking at least six glasses of water or other fluid per day. Always keep your bladder empty as much as possible by peeing regularly.
Clinical evidence suggests that Amoxycillin is safe for pregnant mothers. However, you should consult a doctor before taking Amoxycillin.
After taking an antibiotic, you may need to wait for up to three hours to eat or drink any dairy products, including milk and butter, yoghurt, and cheese. Grapefruit juice and dietary supplements containing minerals like calcium may also work to dampen the effect of antibiotics.
Do not stop using Amoxycillin even if you feel better. It should be strictly used as advised by your doctor to avoid the recurrence of symptoms and to worsen the disease.
