Amoxicillin is an antibiotic drug to treat diseases caused by bacterial infections, such as otitis media, gonorrhea, or pyelonephritis. This drug is also often used with drugs proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to treat stomach ulcers caused by bacteria H. pylori.
Amoxicillin works by inhibiting the protein that forms the bacterial cell wall, so that the cell wall is not formed, bacterial growth stops, and eventually dies. Amoxicillin is not used to treat viral infections, including the flu or Covid-19.
Amoxicillin trademark: Amobiotic, Amoxicillin Trihydrate, Amoxsan, Betamox, Clamixin, Dexyclav Forte, Erlamoxy, Etamox, Holimox, Hufanoxil, Omemox, Pehamoxil, Pritamox, Supramox, Topcillin
What is Amoxicillin
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Penicillin antibiotics |
| Benefit | Treats bacterial infections, including gonorrhea, otitis media, or pyelonephritis |
| Used by | Adults and children |
| Amoxicillin for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Animal studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Amoxicillin can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablets, syrups, capsules and injections |
Warnings Before Using Amoxicillin
There are several things you should pay attention to before using amoxicillin, including:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Amoxicillin should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug or to other penicillin class antibiotics, such as ampicillin.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney disease, diarrhea, blood disorders, or mononucleosis.
- Tell your doctor if you plan to vaccinate with a live vaccine, such as the BCG vaccine, while taking amoxicillin, as this medicine may decrease the effectiveness of the vaccine.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Report to your doctor if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effects, or overdose after using amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin Dosage and Rules
The dose of amoxicillin given by the doctor depends on the condition you want to treat, your age, the dosage form of the drug, and the type and severity of the infection. Injectable amoxicillin will be injected directly by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. Here is the explanation:
Purpose: Overcoming bacterial infections
Shape: Tablets, syrup or capsules
- Mature: 250–500 mg, every 8 hours or 500–1,000 mg, every 12 hours. For severe infections the dose is 750–1,000 mg, every 8 hours.
- Children aged >3 months with a weight <40 kg: 20–90 mg/kg body weight per day.
Shape: Inject
- Mature: 500 mg, every 8 hours by injection into a muscle (intramuscularly/IM) or into a vein (intravenous/IV).
- Children aged >3 months with a weight <40 kg: 20–200 mg/kg, 2–4 times a day.
Purpose: Treating pharyngitis or tonsillitis due to Streptococcus infection
Shape: Tablets, syrup or capsules
- Mature: 500 mg, every 8 hours or 750–1,000 mg every 12 hours. For severe infections the dose is 750–1,000 mg, every 8 hours, for 10 days.
- Children weighing <40 kg: 40–90 mg/kgBW per day which can be divided into several doses.
Purpose: Overcoming gonorrhea
Shape: Tablets, syrup or capsules
- Mature: The dose is 3,000 mg in a single dose. The drug will be combined with probenecid.
Purpose: Treat stomach ulcers caused by bacteria H. pylori
Shape: Tablets, syrup or capsules
- Mature: 750–1,000 mg, 2 times daily for 7–14 days. The medicine will be combined with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole.
How to Use Amoxicillin Correctly
Follow your doctor's advice and recommendations while you are taking amoxicillin. Do not increase the dose, reduce the dose, or stop treatment without consulting your doctor first.
Amoxicillin injection will be given by a doctor, or medical personnel under the supervision of a doctor. Amoxicillin syrup, tablets, or capsules can be taken before or after meals.
If you are taking Amoxicillin in the form of a syrup, first shake the medicine evenly, then take the medicine according to the dose using a measuring spoon.
If you forget to take amoxicillin, take this medicine immediately if it is not close to the schedule for taking the next drug. If it is approaching, ignore the missed dose and do not double the dose.
Store amoxicillin in a place away from direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Amoxicillin Interactions with Other Drugs
The following are some of the effects of interactions that may occur if amoxicillin is used with other medicines:
- Decreased effectiveness of birth control pills
- Increased blood levels of amoxicillin when used with probenecid
- Decreased effectiveness of live vaccines, such as typhoid vaccine or BCG vaccine
- Increased levels of methotrexate in the blood, thereby increasing the risk of side effects
- Increased risk of allergic reactions when used with allopurinol
- Decreased effectiveness of amoxicillin when used with chloramphenicol, macrolides, sulfonamides, or tetracycline HCl
- Increased risk of bleeding if used with blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin
Amoxicillin Side Effects and Dangers
Tell your doctor or medical officer if the following side effects do not subside or get worse:
- Changes in taste on the tongue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhea
In addition, report to your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to the drug or experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Easy bruising
- Severe diarrhea that doesn't go away, bloody stools, or severe stomach cramps
- Jaundice or dark urine