Amoxicillin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat certain bacterial infections of the ears, nose, mouth, throat, lungs, skin or bladder. It can also be used to prevent certain heart infection when you undergo dental procedures.
This medicine is also used together with other medicines to treat stomach ulcers caused by a type of bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori.
Amoxicillin may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Amoxicillin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. To reduce any stomach discomfort it may cause, you may take this medicine with food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Amoxicillin is available as a conventional or chewable tablet, capsule or a powder for oral suspension.
If you are taking the oral suspension, tap or invert the bottle to loosen the dry powder and add the specified volume of water to reconstitute the suspension. Shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.
Take Amoxicillin at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don’t, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Amoxicillin or similar antibiotics such as penicillins (e.g. ampicillin, cloxacillin, sultamicillin), cephalosporins (e.g. cefaclor, cefalexin, cefuroxime), monobactam or carbapenem antibiotics.
Alert your doctor if you have a suspected or confirmed viral infection known as infectious mononucleosis as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- unable to pass urine regularly
- epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- leukaemia (type of cancer of the white blood cells)
- atopy (tendency to develop allergic reactions)
- liver disease
- kidney disease or undergoing dialysis
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child.
If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. urine glucose test, pregnancy test), inform your doctor that you are taking Amoxicillin.
For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver and kidney function) to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have blood tests.
Amoxicillin may cause any of the following side effects: headache, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swollen mouth or eyes
- severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea accompanied by stomach pain or fever
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, unusual tiredness
- frequent and persistent sore throat with fever, unusual bleeding or bruising
- fits or seizures
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other antibiotics e.g. chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline
- medicines for gout (high uric acid level in the blood) e.g. probenecid, allopurinol
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, acenocoumarol
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
- birth control pills
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Amoxicillin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from light and moisture.
The oral suspension may be stored at room temperature not exceeding 25°C or in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C, once you have mixed the powder with water. Do not freeze it otherwise, it will become less effective. Throw away any unused portion based on the specific product recommendations.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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