AMOXICILLIN

Brand & Generic Names

Amoxil
Apo-Amoxi
Augmentin
Clavulin
Novamoxin
Polymox
Trimox
Wymox

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antibiotic (penicillin)

Uses

Treatment of bacterial infections that are susceptible to amoxicillin.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
Chewable tablets--Chew well before swallowing.
Liquid--Take with cold beverage. Liquid form is perishable and effective for only 7 days at room temperature. Effective for 14 days if stored in refrigerator. Don't freeze.

When to take:
Follow instructions on prescription label or side of package. Doses should be evenly spaced. For example, 4 times a day means before meals and bedtime.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Continue regular schedule.

What drug does:
Destroys susceptible bacteria. Does not kill viruses.

Time lapse before drug works:
May be several days before medicine affects infection.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis); difficulty breathing.

Common:

Dark or discolored tongue.

Infrequent:

• Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Bloody urine, face and ankle swelling.

Rare:

Unexplained bleeding or bruising, weakness, sore throat, fever, abdominal cramps, convulsions.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to amoxicillin, cephalosporin antibiotics, other penicillins. Life-threatening reaction may occur.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are allergic to any substance or drug.
• If you take birth control pills.

Over age 60:
You may have skin reactions, particularly around genitals and anus.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Child may become sensitive to penicillins and have allergic reactions to penicillin drugs. Avoid amoxicillin or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
No problems expected.

Prolonged use:

• You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs not responsive to amoxicillin. Super infection also a potential.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check SGPT*, SGOT*.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Usually not dangerous. Most hazardous reactions likely to occur a few minutes after taking amoxicillin.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.
• Birth control pills may not be effective. Use additional birth-control measures.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Beta-adrenergic	Increased chance
blockers*	of anaphylaxis (see EMERGENCY
	Information).
Birth control pills	Impaired contraceptive efficiency.
Chloramphenicol	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Erythromycins*	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Loperamide	Decreased amoxicillin effect.
Paromomycin	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Probenecid	Increased effect of all
	penicillins.
Sodium benzoate	May reduce effect of sodium
& sodium phenylacetate	benzoate & sodium phenylacetate.
Tetracyclines*	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Troleandomycin	Decreased effect of both drugs.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Occasional stomach irritation.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Acidic fruits or juices,	Decreased antibiotic effect.
Marijuana:	No proven problems.
Tobacco:	None expected.