Medications and Drugs

Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccine Slideshow Swine Flu (H1N1) FAQ Slideshow Strep or Sore Throat Slideshow

Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

GENERIC NAME: amoxicillin

BRAND NAME: Amoxil, Dispermox, Trimox

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Amoxicillin belongs to a class of antibiotics called penicillins. Other members of this class include ampicillin (Unasyn), piperacillin (Pipracil), ticarcillin (Ticar) and 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. 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. Amoxicillin is effective against many different bacteria including H. influenzae, N. gonorrhoea, E. coli, Pneumococci, Streptococci, and certain strains of Staphylococci.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes.

PREPARATIONS: Capsules: 250 and 500 mg. Tablets: 500 and 875 mg. Chewable tablets: 125, 200, 250, and 400 mg. Powder for suspension: 50 mg/ml ; 125, 200, 250, and 400 mg/5 ml. Tablets for suspension: 200 and 400 mg

STORAGE: Store Amoxil capsules as well as 125 and 250 mg dry powder at or below 20°C (68°F); tablets, chewable tablets, as well as 200 and 400 mg dry powder should be stored at or below 25°C(77°F). Store Trimox capsules and unreconstituted powder at or below 20°C (68°F) and chewable tablets at room temperature 15°-30°C (59°-86°F). Powder that has been mixed with water should be discarded after 14 days. Refrigeration is preferred but not required for powder mixed with water.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Amoxicillin is used to treat infections due to organisms that are susceptible to the effects of amoxicillin. Common infections that amoxicillin is used for include infections of the middle ear, tonsils, throat, larynx (laryngitis), bronchi (bronchitis), lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, and skin. It also is used to treat gonorrhea.

DOSING: For most infections in adults the dosing regimens for amoxicillin are 250 mg every 8 hours, 500 mg every 8 hours, 500 mg every 12 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours, depending on the type and severity of infection.

For the treatment of adults with gonorrhea, the dose is 3 g given as one dose.

For most infections, children older than 3 months but less than 40 kg are treated with 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours, 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours, 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours or 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours depending on type and severity of the infection.

Amoxicillin can be taken with or without food.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Amoxicillin is rarely associated with important drug interactions.

PREGNANCY: Penicillins are generally considered safe for use by pregnant women who are not allergic to penicillin.

NURSING MOTHERS: Small amounts of amoxicillin may be excreted in breast milk and may cause diarrhea or allergic responses in nursing infants. Amoxicillin is generally considered safe to use while breastfeeding. Amoxicillin is used to treat infections in the newborn.

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects due to amoxicillin include diarrhea, dizziness, heartburn, insomnia, nausea, itching, vomiting, confusion, abdominal pain, easy bruising, bleeding, rash, and allergic reactions. Individuals who are allergic to antibiotics in the class of cephalosporins may also be sensitive to amoxicillin.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information