Amoxicillin is a Beta-lactam antibiotic, of the subtype penicillin drugs, used to treat various bacterial infections.
USES FOR AMOXICILLIN
- Middle ear infection
- Pharyngitis
- Laryngitis
- Sinusitis
- Chlamydia
- Urinary tract infection
- Bacterial skin infection
- Lower respiratory tract infection
- Infection of H.Pyroli
- Lyme Disease
DOSAGE
Dosage forms available:
- Tablet: 500 mg, 875 mg
- Chewable tablet: 125 mg, 200 mg
- Capsule: 250 mg, 500 mg
- Powder for suspension: 125 mg/5 ml, 200 mg/5 ml, 250 mg/5 ml, 400 mg/5 ml
- Injection
- Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid: 625 mg, 1000 mg
Dosage guidelines:
- H.Pyroli infection: 1 g every 8 hours for 14 days.
- Lyme disease: 500 mg tablet/capsule three times a day for 14 days.
- Sinusitis: 500 mg tablet/capsule every 12 hours for 5-7 days.
Missed dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose:
a) Gastric lavage and induction of vomiting
b) Dialysis & hydration therapy.
SIDE EFFECTS
- Abdominal cramps
- Back pain
- Bleeding gums
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Nausea & vomiting
- Rash & inflammation
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Sore throat
- Pale skin
- Muscle ache
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF AMOXICILLIN
- Severe allergic reaction in people with allergy to penicillin drugs.
- Superinfection
- Candidiasis
- Colitis
- Inflammation of the veins
- Dermatitis
- Urticaria
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Cholecystitis
- Jaundice
- Mild hepatitis
- Crytalluria
- Anemia
- Convulsion
- Tooth discoloration
PRECAUTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS
Amoxicillin is contraindicated and precaution is advised in patients with following conditions:
- Allergy to penicillin type of antibiotics.
- Mononucleosis
- Phenylketonuria
- Renal impairment
- Hepatic impairment
- Immune disorders
- Nutritional deficiency
- Altered bacterial flora & fauna in the intestines
- Diabetes
- Hemodialysis
INTERACTIONS OF AMOXICILLIN
- Probenecid may increase the concentration & residence time of amoxicillin.
- Allopurinol may increase the potential for allergic reactions to amoxicillin.
- Penicillins can increase the serum concentration of methotrexate.
- Tetracyclines when given in presence of amoxicillin, reduce the therapeutic effect of the latter.
- The drug when given with oral contraceptives may reduce the absorption of estrogen, due to altered intestinal flora.
- Other antibacterials like chloramphenicol, sulphonamides, macrolides, etc can interfere with the antibiotic property of amoxicillin.
- Amoxicillin can increase the anticoagulant effect of anticoagulant drugs & Vitamin K, when given concomitantly.
IN PREGNANCY, BREAST FEEDING & CHILDREN
- Pregnancy: The drug is a category B drug and is considered safe for use, causing no harm to the fetus.
- Breast feeding: The drug gets excreted in the milk & therefore precaution is advised.
- Children: No specific data is available, although combination dose of Amoxicillin & clavulanic acid is given to children for specific bacterial infections.