About amoxicillin
Penicillin antibiotic
Used for
- Treats susceptible bacterial infections, including ear, throat, chest, skin, and urinary infections.
- May be used for dental infections or, with other medicines, stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori.
Usual adult dose
Commonly 500 mg every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours; varies by infection.
Usual dose in children
Commonly 20–45 mg/kg daily in divided doses every 8–12 hours; varies by infection.
Common side effects
- Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
- Skin rash
- Yeast infections
- Rare severe allergic reaction
Important warnings
- Does not treat viral illnesses such as colds or flu.
- Avoid with serious penicillin allergy; severe reactions can occur.
- Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, or a severe rash.
- Complete the prescribed course; prolonged diarrhea may require medical assessment.
Pregnancy
Generally considered acceptable when needed; human experience has not shown a clear increase in birth defects.
Breastfeeding
Usually compatible; small amounts enter milk and may cause infant diarrhea or rash.
Interactions
- Warfarin and similar anticoagulants: may alter bleeding measures.
- Allopurinol: may increase rash risk.
- Probenecid: may increase amoxicillin levels.
- Methotrexate: amoxicillin may increase methotrexate exposure.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.