Amoxil | Amoxicillin 

Medication class: penicillin antibiotic
Manufacturer: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
Approval Date: 1974

What is amoxicillin and how does it work?

Amoxicillin is a penicillin type antibiotic that is effective against many types of bacteria. Bacteria have cell walls to protect themselves from the environment and to keep the contents of their cells together. Amoxicillin prevents bacteria from forming these walls, thus impeding them from multiplying and causing infections in the body.

What does amoxicillin treat?

It is used for treating infections caused by susceptible bacteria.

• Infections of the middle ear, nose in adults and children.
• Infections of the tonsils, throat, and larynx (laryngitis).
• Infections of the bronchi (bronchitis) and lungs (pneumonia)
• Urinary tract infections (UTI)
• Skin infections
• Gonorrhea
• Combined with clarithromycin (Biaxin) and lansoprazole (Prevacid) for treating H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease.

What are the interesting facts about amoxicillin?

• Amoxicillin is one of the most prescribed drugs for children.
• Amoxicillin is very similar to penicillin but is absorbed better and is effective against a wider spectrum of bacteria.
• Amoxicillin has been available since 1974.
• Individuals allergic to cephalosporin type antibiotics may also be allergic to amoxicillin.
• Many generic versions are available.

What are the side effects of amoxicillin?

Common: Dizziness, heartburn, nausea and vomiting, itching and abdominal pain.

Serious: Allergic reactions, seizures, growth of other organisms (super infection), liver failure, and serious skin reactions.

What is the dosage of amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is available as 125, 250, 400, 500, 775, 875 mg tablets or capsules and 125 or 250/5 ml oral solution. It usually administered for 5 to 10 days for most infections.

The general dose regimen for adults is 250-500 mg three times daily or 500-850 mg twice daily.

Gonorrhea is treated with a single dose of 3 g.

Children are treated with 20 to 45 mg/kg/day (depending on age and infection) administered in 2 or 3 divided doses every 8 or 12 hours.

Amoxicillin drug interactions

• Probenecid decreases the renal tubular secretion of amoxicillin. Co-administration on Amoxicillin and Probenecid may result in increased and prolonged blood levels of amoxicillin.

References: FDA Prescribing Information for amoxicillin.