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Amoxicillin

Brand Names

; Amoxicot® ; Amoxil® ; Moxilin® ; Trimox® ; Wymox®

Foreign Brand Names

; Acimox (Mexico) ; Amoxifur (Mexico) ; Amoxisol (Mexico) ; Amoxivet (Mexico) ; Apo-Amoxi® (Canada) ; Gimalxina (Mexico) ; Grunicina (Mexico) ; Hidramox® (Mexico) ; Novamoxin® (Canada) ; Nu-Amoxi (Canada) ; Pro-Amox® (Canada)

Therapeutic Categories

Antibiotic, Penicillin

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to penicillin, amoxicillin, or any other part of the medicine.
• If you have an allergy to another related antibiotic called a cephalosporin, talk with healthcare provider.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used as a prevention or treatment for a variety of bacterial infections.

How does it work?

• Amoxicillin makes the cell wall (skin) of the bacteria leaky and kills the bacteria.

How is it best taken?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given. Shake well first.
• Chewable tablet may be crushed or chewed. Do not swallow whole.
• Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can make infection more difficult to treat.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Birth control pills may not work. Use another form of birth control while taking this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum , or Lactobacillus acidophilus may help. These products are available at health food stores or in some pharmacies.
• Rash.
• Vaginal irritation. Report itching or discharge to healthcare provider.

What should I monitor?

• If you are diabetic, this medicine may interfere with Clinitest®. Use another method of urine glucose testing like Clinistix® or Tes-Tape®.
• Watch for change in temperature or worsening of infection.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Fever and/or chills.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• The refrigerator is best for storage of liquid (suspension) but it can be stored at room temperature. Throw away if medicine is not used in 2 weeks.
• Store tablets/capsules in a tight container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).