Amoxicillin is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called penicillin. It fights bacteria in the body. Amoxicillin is used to treat many different types of infections, such as tonsillitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, and infections of the skin. Amoxicillin may also be used for other purposes.

How Taken

Amoxicillin comes as a capsule, chewable tablet, liquid, and pediatric drop to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 8 hours (three times a day). Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Amoxicillin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Shake the liquid and pediatric drops well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Use the bottle dropper to measure the dose of pediatric drops. The pediatric drops and liquid may be placed on a child's tongue or added to formula, milk, fruit juice, water, ginger ale, or other cold liquid and taken immediately. The tablets should be crushed or chewed thoroughly before they are swallowed. The capsules should be swallowed whole and taken with a full glass of water. Continue to take Amoxicillin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Amoxicillin without talking to your doctor.

Warnings/Precautions

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to another penicillin or to a cephalosporin, do not take Amoxicillin without first talking to your doctor. Before taking Amoxicillin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, or stomach or intestinal disease. Amoxicillin is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Amoxicillin is generally considered to be safe for use during pregnancy. Do not, however, take Amoxicillin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Amoxicillin passes into breast milk. Although serious problems have not been reported, rarely, Amoxicillin may cause a yeast infection, diarrhea, or an allergic reaction in a nursing infant, although no serious harm is expected. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, and take the rest of the day's doses at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the dose you missed and take the rest of the doses for the day as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Possible Side Effects

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe or bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps during treatment with Amoxicillin. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Amoxicillin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; hives; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; rash; or fainting); seizures; or unusual bleeding or bruising. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Amoxicillin and talk to your doctor if you experience mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, white patches on the tongue (thrush/ yeast infection); itching or discharge of the vagina (vaginal yeast infection); black, "hairy" tongue or sore mouth or tongue. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children. Store away from heat and direct light. Do not store the capsule or tablet form of Amoxicillin in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Store the oral liquid form of Amoxicillin in the refrigerator because heat will cause this medicine to break down. However, keep the medicine from freezing. Follow the directions on the label. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Overdose

Symptoms of an Amoxicillin overdose may include muscle spasms or weakness, pain or twitching, pain in the fingers or toes, loss of feeling in the fingers or toes, seizures, confusion, coma, or agitation. Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

More Information

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe or bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps during treatment with Amoxicillin. Take all of the Amoxicillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated. Amoxicillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you are taking birth control pills, use a second method of birth control while taking Amoxicillin to ensure protection from unintended pregnancy.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.