Amoxicillin: Uses, Administration, Side Effects and Drug Allergy

Do you remember that pink medicine you had to take when you were little? Not the one you took when you had stomach pain, but when you had bronchitis.

You can remember it because it was the only medicine that tasted sweet, almost like chewing gum! It was probably the only medicine your parents did not have to fight with you to drink.

Well, that medicine that you liked so much was Amoxicillin. If you look closely at the name, you can remember the one you are more familiar with, penicillin. That’s because Amoxicillin is penicillin.

The sweet and pink liquid medication is Amoxicillin.

What is Amoxicillin for? – Uses

Like all other penicillins, Amoxicillin is an antibiotic. Antibiotics are drugs that kill the bacteria that infect the body. Not all bacteria are the same, so not all antibiotics are the same.

Doctors prescribe antibiotics depending on the type of infection and the bacteria that cause the disease.

Amoxicillin is used to treat ear infections and bronchitis. It can also treat other respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis.

 

Amoxicillin is also helpful in treating infections in the urinary tract, such as bladder and kidney infections.

Staphylococcal skin infections and stomach infections due to H. pylori can also be treated with antibiotics with Amoxicillin.

Amoxicillin belongs to the group of medicines known as antibiotics, specifically to the family of antibiotics known as penicillins. It is used to treat infections caused by certain types of bacteria.

Kill some bacteria that can cause infections of the ear, breast, chest or lung, bone, bladder, and throat.

It can also kill some bacteria that can cause infection in the stomach or small intestine, chlamydia (in pregnant and lactating women), Lyme disease, or typhoid fever (in children).

Amoxicillin can also prevent infections caused by specific dental or medical procedures.

Do not practice self-medication; always consult with your trusted health advisor or a professional pharmacist. Do not dose another person even without presenting the same discomfort as you since the conditions may be different for each one.

Administration

The recommended dose of Amoxicillin in adults varies widely depending on the age group and the treated condition. Still, the medication is usually taken three times a day, once every 8 hours. Amoxicillin can be taken with or without food.

Finish all this medication, even if you have started to feel better. This will reduce the chance that the infection will return and be more challenging to treat.

For the liquid form of Amoxicillin, use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid, as it provides a more accurate measurement than homemade spoons.

Many variables can define the correct dose that each needs to ingest, such as weight, age, and other pathologies detected; by taking into account these attributes, each doctor decides the correct prescription for their patient.

Avoid avoiding the prescribed doses; in case you can not take it, continue with your activities and try to resume it in your regular schedule, but never double the amount to compensate for the loss; this can put your life at risk; always check with the pharmacist or trusted doctor for these attention cases.

Reserve the tablets or capsules of Amoxicillin in a place at room temperature that is not affected by direct light or humidity; always avoid that it is within reach of minors; in its liquid form, it can be kept for seven days in the Recommended places or 14 days inside your fridge.

If it has expired, never discard it in a toilet or sink, do not discard it in the regular trash of your home, and always ask the pharmacist how you can dispose of them safely without endangering the environment or other living beings.

Who should NOT take this medicine?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to Amoxicillin or if any of the drug’s ingredients are allergic to the class of antibiotics called cephalosporins or in case of infectious mononucleosis.

What side are effects possible with this medicine?

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects, and these are serious or bothersome. Your pharmacist may advise you about the management of these side effects:

  • Abdominal pain (mild)
  • Diarrhea (mild)
  • Sickness.
  • Swollen tongue or black tongue.
  • Difficulties to sleep.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following side effects:

  • Anxiety.
  • Signs of kidney problems (e.g., increased urination at night, decreased urine production, blood in the urine).
  • Skin rash, hives, or itching.
  • Symptoms of liver damage (e.g., yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, loss of appetite).

Allergy

Amoxicillin is penicillin and should not be used by anyone with an allergy to penicillin or an allergy to the class of medications called cephalosporins.

People who have allergies, in general, should carefully watch for any reaction to Amoxicillin when they start a new prescription. Some people may develop a severe allergic reaction to this medication in rare cases.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

  • Severe rash.
  • Urticaria.
  • Swelling of the face or throat or difficulty breathing.

If this occurs, seek immediate medical attention.

Other factors to consider

Birth control: penicillins can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.

Pregnancy: This medication is generally considered safe during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medicine passes into breast milk. If you are a nursing mother taking Amoxicillin, it can affect your baby. Ask your doctor if you should continue breastfeeding.