Amoxicillin and its Uses
Generic Amoxicillin 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.
Generic Amoxicillin is effective against many different bacteria including H. influenzae, N. gonorrhea, E. coli, Pneumococci, Streptococci, and certain strains of Staphylococci.
Generic Amoxicillin is used for:
- Ear infections
- Gonorrhoea
- 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
Generic Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means it has the ability to kill a wide range of bacterial infections in the body.
|| Top || Working Mechanism of Amoxicillin
Generic Amoxicillin 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. Generic Amoxicillin 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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Amoxicillin Dose
Missed Dose of Amoxicillin
Take the missed dose of Amoxicillin as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose of Amoxicillin, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of Amoxicillin.
Excess Dose of Amoxicillin
Generic Amoxicillin 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 Generic Amoxicillin
Store Generic Amoxicillin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Potencies of Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin Capsules : Amoxicillin 250 mg & Amoxicillin 500 mg
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Food and Drug interactions with Amoxicillin
- There may be an increased risk of experiencing a rash as a side effect of Amoxicillin if you are also taking allopurinol.
- Generic Amoxicillin 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 Amoxicillin.
- Probenecid increases the blood level of Amoxicillin, and people taking probenecid may be prescribed a lower dose of Amoxicillin.
- Generic Amoxicillin may rarely alter the anti-blood-clotting effects of anticoagulant medicines such as Coumadin (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 Generic Amoxicillin 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).
|| Top || Contraindications with Amoxicillin
Generic Amoxicillin is contraindicated in the following:
- Allergy to penicillin or cephalosporin type antibiotics
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
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Precautions with Amoxicillin
Generic Amoxicillin should be used with caution in decreased kidney function.
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Adverse effects with Amoxicillin
The adverse effects associated with Amoxicillin 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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