Amoxicillin Side Effects, Overdose and Pregnancy Information

Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, including sinusitis, strep throat, pneumonia, respiratory tract, ear infections, dental abscesses, and skin infections. Amoxicillin may also be used to treat STDs like gonorrhea and syphilis, infections of the genital and urinary tract. It kills bacteria by destroying the cell walls of the invading microorganisms. However, antibiotics are not effective against viruses and fungi. Amoxicillin injection is used to treat more serious infections.

Amoxicillin Side Effects

Amoxicillin Side effects may include upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Rare Amoxicillin side effects include short breath, anxiety, colitis, confusion, convulsions, dizziness, hives, liver problems, jaundice, fungal infections, rash, vaginal itching, tooth discoloration in children, and appetite loss. Amoxicillin side effects like short breath or upset stomach could be minimized or avoided if taken with food especially yogurt.

Amoxicillin Side Effects Reporting

If you experience any side effects not mentioned above you should report it to your primary health care provider or FDA 1-800-FDA-1088 in the United States, Health Canada 1-866-225-0709 in Canada, MHRA 020 3080 6000 in UK, or TGA 1800 020 653 in Australia.

Amoxicillin Overdose

Amoxicillin overdose symptoms may include short breath, diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. If you suspect Amoxicillin overdose, seek medical attention right away. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you can. However, if it is just about time for your next dose, skip the one you forgot and go on with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose.

Amoxicillin Pregnancy

Amoxicillin is considered generally safe during pregnancy and breast-feeding. However, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, inform your physician before taking Amoxicillin. Nursing mothers should switch to bottle-feed while taking this medicine as it could cause diarrhea in infants.

Amoxicillin Warning

If you have ever had asthma, hives, hay fever, or other allergic reaction to penicillin consult with your physician before taking Amoxicillin.

Stop taking Amoxicillin if you experience reactions such as rash, fever, itching, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and or sores on the genitals.

It is imperative to take Amoxicillin for the entire course your physician has prescribed. Even if you feel better, you should to continue taking Amoxicillin. Stopping the course early increases the possibility that the infection will come back and that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic.

Amoxicillin should not be taken on an empty stomach.

Tell your physician if you have ever had asthma, colitis, diabetes, or kidney or liver disease before taking Amoxicillin.

Amoxicillin Caution

If you are allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics, check with your physician before taking Amoxicillin.

People with Cystic fibrosis are more prone to side effects from penicillin antibiotic like Amoxicillin.

Those who are using oral contraceptives should switch to other methods of contraceptives while taking Amoxicillin.

Amoxicillin Interaction

Check with your doctor before combining Amoxicillin with the following:

Antacids
Beta-blockers
Blood thinning drugs
Chloramphenicol
Erythromycin
NSAIDs like Aleve or ibuprofen
Oral contraceptives
Probenecid
Tetracycline
Do not take Amoxicillin with carbonated drinks or fruit juice.

Amoxicillin may cause vitamin deficiency. It is recommended to take daily multivitamins while taking Amoxicillin.

Amoxicillin may decrease the removal of the medicine methotrexate from the body, which could increase the risk of its side effects.

Probenecid increases the blood level of Amoxicillin, and people taking probenecid may be prescribed a lower dose.

Amoxicillin may rarely alter the anti-blood-clotting effects of anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin.

If you are taking a combined oral contraceptive pill or are using contraceptive patches, there may be a very low risk that Amoxicillin may make it less effective at preventing pregnancy.

Oral typhoid vaccine (Vivotif) should not be taken until at least three days after you have finished a course of Amoxicillin.

Amoxicillin Doses

ADULTS
250-500mg every 8 hours.



CHILDREN
10-20mg per pound of body weight, in 3 divided doses, daily.
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