Amoxil and its Uses

Amoxil is an antibiotic that belongs to a class of antibiotics called penicillins. Other members of this class include ampicillin (Unasyn), piperacillin (Pipracil), ticarcillin (Ticar) and a several others. These antibiotics all have a similar mechanism of action. They do not kill bacteria, but they stop bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming the walls that surround them. They kill bacteria by interfering with their ability to form cell walls. The bacteria therefore break up and die.

The walls are necessary to protect bacteria from their environment and to keep the contents of the bacterial cell together. Bacteria cannot survive without a cell wall.

Amoxil is effective against many different bacteria including H. influenzae, N. gonorrhea, E. coli, Pneumococci, Streptococci, and certain strains of Staphylococci.

Amoxil is used for:

• Ear infections
• Gonorrhea
• Helicobacter pylori infection
• Infections of the organs associated with breathing including nose, windpipe and lungs (respiratory tract)
• Infections of the urinary system
• Inflammation of the sinuses
• Prevention of infection within the heart muscle
• Salmonella infections

Amoxil is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means it has the ability to kill a wide range of bacterial infections in the body.

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Working Mechanism of Amoxil

Amoxil works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to form cell walls. The cell walls of bacteria are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering their cells and stop the contents of their cells from leaking out. Amoxil impairs the bonds that hold the bacterial cell wall together. This allows holes to appear in the cell walls and kills the bacteria.

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Amoxil Dose

Missed Dose of Amoxil

Take the missed dose of Amoxil as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose of Amoxil you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of Amoxil.

Excess Dose

Amoxil in excess dose may show symptoms such as muscle spasms or weakness, pain or twitching, pain in the fingers or toes, loss of feeling in the fingers or toes, seizures, confusion, coma, or agitation.

Conditions for Storage of Amoxil

Store Amoxil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Potencies of Amoxil

Amoxil Capsules: 250 mg
Amoxil Capsules: 500 mg.

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Food and Drug Interactions with Amoxil

• There may be an increased risk of experiencing a rash as a side effect of Amoxil if you are also taking allopurinol.
• Amoxil may decrease the removal of methotrexate from the body, increasing the risk of side effects. If you are taking methotrexate you should be well monitored by your doctor while you are taking a course of Amoxil.
• Probenecid increases the blood level of Amoxil, and people taking probenecid may be prescribed a lower dose of Amoxil.
• Amoxil may rarely alter the anti-blood-clotting effects of anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin. Your doctor may wish to monitor your blood clotting time while you are taking both medicines.
• If you are taking a combined oral contraceptive pill there may be a very low risk that Amoxil may make it less effective at preventing pregnancy. Although the risk of this is very low, the personal and ethical consequences of an unwanted pregnancy can be very serious. For this reason the Family Planning Association recommends that women taking combined oral contraceptives should use an extra method of contraception (e.g. condoms) while taking a short course of broad-spectrum antibiotic, and for seven days after finishing the course. If the seven days run beyond the end of a pill packet, a new packet should be started without a break (in the case of ED pills the inactive tablets should be omitted).
  

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Contraindications with Amoxil

Amoxil is contraindicated in the following:

• Allergy to penicillin or cephalosporin type antibiotics
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.
  

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Precautions with Amoxil

Amoxil should be used with caution in decreased kidney function.

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Adverse effects with Amoxil

The adverse effects associated with Amoxil are:

• Rash
• Itching (pruritus)
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Blood disorders
• Allergic reaction to active ingredient
• Dizziness
• Overgrowth of the yeast Candida, which may cause infection such as thrush
• Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis).
  

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