Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? Yes
- Drug class: Antibiotic (penicillin)
Uses
Treatment of bacterial infections that are susceptible to
amoxicillin.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid on an empty stomach
1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
Chewable tablets--Chew well before swallowing.
Liquid--Take with cold beverage. Liquid form is perishable
and effective for only 7 days at room temperature. Effective
for 14 days if stored in refrigerator. Don't freeze.
When to take:
Follow instructions on prescription label or side of package.
Doses should be evenly spaced. For example, 4 times a day
means before meals and bedtime.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Continue regular schedule.
What drug does:
Destroys susceptible bacteria. Does not kill viruses.
Time lapse before drug works:
May be several days before medicine affects infection.
Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Severe diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
WHAT TO DO:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger
amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center
or hospital emergency room for instructions.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment
immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis); difficulty breathing.
Common:
Dark or discolored tongue.
Infrequent:
- Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
- Bloody urine, face and ankle swelling.
Rare:
Unexplained bleeding or bruising, weakness, sore throat, fever,
abdominal cramps, convulsions.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
You are allergic to amoxicillin, cephalosporin antibiotics,
other penicillins. Life-threatening reaction may occur.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you are allergic to any substance or drug.
- If you take birth control pills.
Over age 60:
You may have skin reactions, particularly around genitals
and anus.
Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies
show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether
drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.
Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Child may become sensitive to penicillins
and have allergic reactions to penicillin drugs. Avoid amoxicillin
or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult
doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.
Infants & children:
No problems expected.
Prolonged use:
- You may become more susceptible to infections caused by
germs not responsive to amoxicillin. Super infection also
a potential.
- Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical
examinations or laboratory studies to check SGPT*, SGOT*.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Usually not dangerous. Most hazardous reactions likely to
occur a few minutes after taking amoxicillin.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete
prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
Others:
- May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.
- Birth control pills may not be effective. Use additional
birth-control measures.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
