It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth
What are amoxicillin capsules, tablets or chewable tablets?
AMOXICILLIN (Amoxil®, Trimox®, Wymox®) is a penicillin antibiotic. Amoxicillin kills or stops the growth of bacteria that cause infection. It treats many different kinds of infections of the skin, respiratory tract, sinuses, ear, and kidney. Amoxicillin also treats some sexually transmitted disease.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- asthma
- eczema
- kidney disease
- leukemia
- mononucleosis
- intestinal problems (especially colitis)
- other chronic illness
- phenylketonuria
- viral infection
- an unusual or allergic reaction to amoxicillin, other penicillins, cephalosporin antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take amoxicillin capsules, tablets, or chewable tablets by mouth. Swallow the regular capsules or tablets whole with a glass of water; take while in an upright or sitting position. Chew or crush the chewable tablets, do not swallow whole. You may take amoxicillin with or without food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. There should be an interval of at least 6 to 8 hours between doses.
What drug(s) may interact with amoxicillin?
- allopurinol
- birth control pills
- methotrexate
- neomycin
- probenecid
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking amoxicillin?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
- difficulty breathing, wheezing
- dark yellow or brown urine
- dizziness
- fever or chills, sore throat
- increased thirst
- pain or difficulty passing urine
- pain on swallowing
- redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- seizures (convulsions)
- skin rash, itching
- stomach pain or cramps
- swollen joints
- severe or watery diarrhea
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual weakness or tiredness
- vomiting
- yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- diarrhea
- headache
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- stomach gas or heartburn
What should I watch for while taking amoxicillin?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 or 3 days.
If you are diabetic and taking large doses of amoxicillin, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine with certain brands of urine tests. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
If you get a skin rash, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
