Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic. It is used to treat bacterial infections, such as chest infections (including pneumonia) and dental abscesses. It can also be used
together with other antibiotics and medicines to treat stomach ulcers. It's often prescribed for children, to treat ear infections and chest infections. Amoxicillin is only available on prescription. It comes as capsules or as a liquid that you swallow. It's also given by injection, but
this is usually only done in hospital. 3. Who can and cannot take amoxicillinAmoxicillin can be taken by most adults and children. Find out more about giving amoxicillin to children on the Medicines for Children website. Amoxicillin is not suitable for everyone. To make sure amoxicillin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:
4. How and when to take amoxicillinDosageThe usual dose of amoxicillin capsules is 250mg to 500mg, taken 3 times a day. The dose may be lower for children. Amoxicillin liquid is available in 125mg and 250mg doses. Important: ImportantCarry on taking this medicine until you've completed the course, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, the infection could come back. How to take itTry to space the doses evenly throughout the day. If you take it 3 times a day, this could be first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon and at bedtime. You can take amoxicillin before or after food. Swallow amoxicillin capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them. Amoxicillin is available as a liquid for children and people who find it difficult to swallow capsules. If you or your child are taking liquid amoxicillin, it will usually be made up for you by your pharmacist. The medicine will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount. If you forget to take itIf you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicines. If you take too muchTaking an extra dose of amoxicillin is unlikely to harm you or your child, but speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried. Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:You have taken more than your prescribed dose of amoxicillin and have symptoms including:
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 5. Side effectsLike all medicines, amoxicillin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Common side effectsThese common side effects happen in around 1 in 10 people. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:
Serious side effectsSerious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people. Call a doctor or contact 111 straight away if you get:
Some of these serious side effects can happen up to 2 months after finishing the amoxicillin. Serious allergic reactionAround 1 in 15 people have an allergic reaction to amoxicillin. In most cases, the allergic reaction is mild and can take the form of a skin rash. Mild skin rashes can usually be treated by taking antihistamines. In rare cases, amoxicillin can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital. These are not all the side effects of amoxicillin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. 6. How to cope with side effects of amoxicillinWhat to do about:
7. Pregnancy and breastfeedingAmoxicillin and pregnancyIt is safe to take amoxicillin during pregnancy. Amoxicillin and breastfeedingIt is OK to take amoxicillin while breastfeeding. Information shows that only tiny amounts of amoxicillin get into breast milk. Such levels would not be expected to cause side effects in your baby. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife if:
For more information about how amoxicillin can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, visit the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website. 8. Cautions with other medicinesThere are some medicines that do not mix well with amoxicillin. Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines before you start taking amoxicillin:
Tell your doctor if you've recently had, or are due to have, an oral typhoid vaccine. Amoxicillin can make it less effective. Mixing amoxicillin with herbal remedies and supplementsThere is little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements alongside amoxicillin. Medicine safetyTell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. 9. Common questions about amoxicillinHow does amoxicillin work? Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic. It works by killing the bacteria that cause the infection. When will I feel better? For most infections, you should feel better within a few days. It's very important that you keep taking amoxicillin until your course is finished. Do this even if you feel better. It will help stop the infection coming back. What if I do not get better? Tell your doctor if you do not start feeling better after taking amoxicillin for 3 days. Also tell them if, at any time, you start to feel worse. Will it give me thrush? Some people get a fungal infection called thrush after taking a course of antibiotics like amoxicillin. If you think you have thrush, speak to your pharmacist or ask your doctor for advice. How does amoxicillin compare with other antibiotics? Amoxicillin and other penicillins, like phenoxymethylpenicillin, are antibiotics that are widely used to treat a variety of infections, including skin, dental, throat and chest infections. Not all antibiotics are suitable for every infection. Your doctor will choose an antibiotic that's suitable for the type of infection you have. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions. Will it affect my fertility? There's no evidence to suggest that taking amoxicillin reduces fertility in either men or women. Does it stain teeth? If you or your child take amoxicillin as a liquid medicine, it can stain your teeth. This does not last and should go after brushing your teeth well. Amoxicillin capsules do not stain teeth. Can I drive or ride a bike? Yes. Amoxicillin should not affect you being able to drive or cycle. Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? You can eat and drink normally while taking amoxicillin. Can I drink alcohol with it? Yes, you can drink alcohol with amoxicillin. How long does amoxicillin take to work on tooth infection?Usually, within 2-3 days, you'll start feeling better and see an improvement in the infection. On average, a full course of antibiotics takes 7 to 14 days to complete depending on the type used.
Is amoxicillin good for tooth infection?Amoxicillin, a penicillin class antibiotic, treats many types of bacterial infections, including tooth infections. It typically helps to resolve tooth infection symptoms within a few days, but as with all medications, amoxicillin may also cause side effects.
Is amoxicillin 500 good for a toothache?Official answer. Yes, amoxicillin will help your tooth infection. Amoxicillin is one of the first antibiotics recommended for the treatment of a tooth infection. It has shown to be widely effective and have fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to other options.
How much amoxicillin do you take for dental work?The standard regimen includes high doses of amoxicillin in children and adults, one hour before the dental treatment. 2 g of oral amoxicillin should be given to adults before the dental procedure commencement[32]. Dajani et al have reported that 2g of amoxicillin provides several hours of antibiotic coverage[33].
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