Medicines

Amoxiclin: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage, Interactions

Amoxiclin is a brand of amoxicillin, a penicillin antibiotic that fights bacteria. Amoxiclin is used to treat many different types of infection caused by bacteria, such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and infections of the ear, nose, throat, skin, or urinary tract.

Amoxiclin is also sometimes used together with another antibiotic called clarithromycin (Biaxin) to treat stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. This combination is sometimes used with a stomach acid reducer called lansoprazole (Prevacid).

How should I use Amoxiclin?

The recommended adult dose of amoxicillin varies widely depending on the age group and the condition being treated, but the medication is usually taken 3 times daily, once every 8 hours. Amoxiclin can be taken with or without meals.

Finish all this medication, even if you have started to feel better. This will reduce the chance of the infection returning and being harder to treat.

For the liquid form of Amoxiclin, use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store the capsule and tablet forms of this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. The liquid form of amoxicillin may be stored for 7 days at room temperature or 14 days in the refrigerator. Safely discard any unused medication after this time.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Who should NOT take Amoxiclin?

Do not take this medication if you:

•          are allergic to amoxicillin or any ingredients of the medication

•          are allergic to the class of antibiotics called cephalosporins

•          have or may have infectious mononucleosis

What are the side effects of Amoxiclin?

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Amoxiclin. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

•          abdominal pain (mild)

•          diarrhea (mild)

•          dizziness or lightheadedness

•          nausea

•          swollen tongue or black “hairy” tongue

•          tooth discoloration (in children)

•          trouble sleeping

•          vomiting

Although most of these side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

•          anxiety

•          signs of kidney problems (e.g., increased urination at night, decreased urine production, blood in the urine)

•          skin rash, hives, or itching

•          symptoms of liver damage (e.g., yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, loss of appetite)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

•          convulsions (seizures)

•          diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody

•          symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or itchy skin rash)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Allergy: Amoxiclin is a penicillin and should not be used by anyone with a penicillin allergy or an allergy to the class of medications called cephalosporins. People who have allergies in general should watch carefully for any reaction to Amoxiclin when starting a new prescription. In rare cases, some people may develop a serious allergic reaction to this medication. Signs of an allergic reaction include a severe rash, hives, swollen face or throat, or difficulty breathing. If these occur, seek immediate medical attention.

Bacterial resistance: Misuse of an antibiotic such as Amoxiclin may lead to the growth of resistant bacteria that will not be killed by the antibiotic. If this happens, the antibiotic may not work for you in the future. Although you may begin to feel better early in your course of treatment with Amoxiclin, you need to take the full course exactly as directed to finish ridding your body of the infection and to prevent resistant bacteria from taking hold. Do not take Amoxiclin or other antibiotics to treat a viral infection such as the common cold; antibiotics do not kill viruses, and using them to treat viral infections can lead to the growth of resistant bacteria.

Birth control: Penicillins may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Some doctors recommend adding another method of birth control for the rest of the cycle when penicillin is taken.

Diarrhea: This medication is associated with a serious infection called Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, caused by the bacteria C. difficile. This can occur even after your last dose of this medication. If you have severe diarrhea (with or without fever or blood) after taking Amoxiclin, get medical attention as soon as possible.

Kidney disease: Kidney disease or reduced kidney function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Medical conditions: When Amoxiclin is used by a person who has mononucleosis, acute lymphocytic leukemia (a type of cancer that affects white blood cells), or cytomegalovirus infection (a viral infection), a widespread rash may occur. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Overgrowth of organisms: Treatment with any penicillin may allow normal fungus or types of bacteria not killed by the antibiotic to overgrow, causing unwanted infections such as yeast infections, which may cause vaginal itching and irritation. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Pregnancy: This medication is generally considered safe in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, discuss with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Amoxiclin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between Amoxiclin and any of the following:

•          allopurinol

•          BCG vaccine

•          cholera vaccine

•          birth control pills

•          methotrexate

•          mycophenolate

•          sodium picosulfate

•          tetracyclines (e.g., minocycline, doxycycline)

•          typhoid vaccine

•          warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

•          stop taking one of the medications,

•          change one of the medications to another,

•          change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or

•          leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

<

Dr. Oche Otorkpa PG Cert, MPH, PhD

Dr. Oche is a seasoned Public Health specialist who holds a post graduate certificate in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, an MPH, and a PhD both from Texila American University. He is a member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK. He authored two books: "The Unseen Terrorist," published by AuthorHouse UK, and "The Night Before I Killed Addiction."
Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker