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Why is Amoxicillin
prescribed?
Amoxicillin is a penicillin-like
antibiotic used to treat certain
infections caused by bacteria, such
as pneumonia; bronchitis; venereal
disease (VD); and ear, lung, nose,
urinary tract, and skin infections.
It also is used before some surgery
or dental work to prevent infection.
Antibiotics will not work for colds,
flu, or other viral infections.
Amoxicillin is sometimes prescribed
for other uses; ask your doctor or
pharmacist for more information.
How should Amoxicillin be
used?
Amoxicillin comes as a capsule,
chewable tablet, liquid, and
pediatric drop to take by mouth. It
is usually taken every 8 hours
(three times a day). Follow the
directions on your prescription
label carefully, and ask your doctor
or pharmacist to explain any part
you do not understand. Take
Amoxicillin exactly as directed. Do
not take more or less of it or take
it more often than prescribed by
your doctor. Shake the liquid and
pediatric drops well before each use
to mix Amoxicillin evenly. Use the
bottle dropper to measure the dose
of pediatric drops. The pediatric
drops and liquid may be placed on a
child's tongue or added to formula,
milk, fruit juice, water, ginger
ale, or other cold liquid and taken
immediately.
The tablets should be crushed or
chewed thoroughly before they are
swallowed. The capsules should be
swallowed whole and taken with a
full glass of water. Continue to
take Amoxil even if you feel well.
Do not stop taking Amoxicillin
without talking to your doctor.
What special precautions
should I follow?
Before taking Amoxicillin,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist
if you are allergic to Amoxicillin,
penicillin, or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist
what prescription and
nonprescription medications you are
taking, especially other
antibiotics, allopurinol (Lopurin),
anticoagulants ('blood thinners')
such as warfarin (Coumadin), oral
contraceptives, probenecid
(Benemid), and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or
have ever had kidney or liver
disease, allergies, asthma, blood
disease, colitis, stomach problems,
or hay fever.
- tell your doctor if you are
pregnant, plan to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding. If you become
pregnant while taking Amoxicillin,
call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery,
including dental surgery, tell the
doctor or dentist that you are
taking Amoxicillin.
What should I do if I
forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you
remember it. However, if it is
almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and continue your
regular dosing schedule. Do not take
a double dose to make up for a
missed one.
What side effects can
Amoxicillin cause?
Although side effects from
Amoxicillin are not common, they can
occur. Tell your doctor if any of
these symptoms are severe or do not
go away:
- upset stomach
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- mild skin rash
If you experience any of the
following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
- severe skin rash
- itching
- hives
- difficulty breathing or
swallowing
- wheezing
- vaginal infection
What storage conditions are
needed for Amoxicillin?
Keep Amoxicillin in the container
it came in, tightly closed, and out
of reach of children. Store the
capsules and tablets at room
temperature and away from excess
heat and moisture (not in the
bathroom). Throw away any medication
that is outdated or no longer
needed. Keep the liquid medication
in the refrigerator, tightly closed,
and throw away any unused medication
after 14 days. Do not freeze. Talk
to your pharmacist about the proper
disposal of your medication.
What other information
should I know?
Keep all appointments with your
doctor and the laboratory. Your
doctor will order certain lab tests
to check your response to
Amoxicillin. If you are diabetic,
use Clinistix or TesTape (not
Clinitest) to test your urine for
sugar while taking Amoxicillin.
Do not let anyone else take your
medication. Your prescription is
probably not refillable. If you
still have symptoms of infection
after you finish the Amoxicillin,
call your doctor.
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