Amoxicillin General Information
Amoxicillin (brand names include: Mymox / Amoxil / Amoxin / Amoxivan / Amoksiklav / Bactox / Cilamox / Dedoxil / Dispermox / Enhancin / Geramox / Isimoxin / Klavox / Lamoxy / Mox / Moxypen / Moxyvit / Nobactam / Novamoxin / Panklav / Pamoxicillin / Panamox / Polymox / Wymox / Zimox / Trimox) is a penicillin-like (beta-lactam) antibiotic. It belongs to the most widely-used group of antibiotics available.
Amoxicillin is one of the best forms of antibiotic available today. It is used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria, including:
infections of the ear, nose, and throat (pneumonia, bronchitis);
infections of the genitourinary tract;
infections of the skin and skin structure;
infections of the lower respiratory tract;
gonorrhea, acute uncomplicated (ano-genital and urethral infections) in male and females.
Amoxicillin is also used before some surgery or dental work to prevent infection. It is also used in combination with other medications to eliminate H. pylori, a bacteria that causes ulcers.
Amoxicillin may also be used for other purposes not listed here.
Amoxicillin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell wall and stopping the growth of bacteria.
Amoxicillin is usually the drug of choice within the class because it is better absorbed, following oral administration, than other beta-lactam antibiotics.
Amoxicillin Recommendations
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Amoxicillin is usually taken every 8 hours (three times a day). It can be taken with or without food.
The chewable tablets should be crushed or chewed thoroughly before they are swallowed. The tablets and capsules should be swallowed whole and taken with a full glass of water.
Take Amoxicillin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less Amoxicillin or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking Amoxicillin without talking to your doctor. To clear up your infection completely, continue taking Amoxicillin for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Stopping Amoxicillin too soon may cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics.
If you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the rest of the doses for the day as directed.
Store this medicine at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.
Amoxicillin Precautions
Caution should be used in the elderly since they may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug.
Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Amoxicillin.
Contact your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if:
you are allergic to any medications;
you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Amoxicillin Ingredients
Active ingredient: amoxycillin