Amoxicillin

The active substance is Amoxicillin.

what is amoxicillin?

• Amoxicillin kills bacteria (antibiotic).
• For infections of the lungs, trachea, throat, sinuses, middle ear, bladder, skin, heart, stomach and intestines. Also in Lyme disease , meningitis and venereal diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• Amoxicillin works within days. Take amoxicillin evenly throughout the day. It works better then.
• Are you using the capsules ? Then take it with half a glass of water.
• Are you using the dissolving tablets (‘disper’)? Disintegrate the tablet in water. Give it a stir and then drink it. Then rinse the glass with a little water. And drink that too.
• Are you using the drink? Shake well before use. Use a measuring cup or measuring spoon to measure out the correct amount.
• You may get diarrhea or stomach cramps. This is normal and will pass by itself. Do you have diarrhea with stomach cramps several times a day? Then notify a doctor.
  Drink plenty of water when you have diarrhea or you will become dehydrated.
• Rashes occur. Sometimes this is due to hypersensitivity. You may also become short of breath , get a fever or faint. If you are hypersensitive, do not use this drug again. Please inform your pharmacist.
• A cure usually lasts 5 to 10 days, sometimes longer. Finish the cure. Even if you seem to be cured, because there may still be bacteria left.

what is amoxicillin used for and what does it do ?

Amoxicillin belongs to the penicillin antibiotics . It works against infections with bacteria.

Doctors prescribe it for many types of bacterial infections , such as:

• respiratory tract infections ( pneumonia , acute bronchitis , middle ear infection , sinus infection , sore throat due to laryngitis);
• cystitis , including renal pelvic inflammatory disease;
• venereal diseases (STD), namely chlamydia and gonorrhea ;
• Lyme disease ;
• stomach or duodenal ulcer;
• huidontsteking;
• meningitis .

Doctors also prescribe amoxicillin if there is likely to be pneumonia from the Corona virus (COVID-19).

Infections with bacteria

Operation

• Amoxicillin kills many types of bacteria. After ingestion, the medicine spreads through the blood in your body. It ends up almost everywhere in the body and also in the urine. So it can be used for all kinds of infections, if the bacteria is sensitive to amoxicillin. Even if the bacteria is in places that are difficult to reach, such as an inflammation in the heart or of the heart valves (endocarditis). Or if the bacteria has spread in the blood vessels.

Effect

• Capsules, tablets and oral solution start to work after 1 to 2 hours; the injection and infusion work immediately. One dose works for 6 to 12 hours. After a few days you will notice that the symptoms of the infection decrease.

As a precaution

• Amoxicillin is also used as a precaution during an operation or treatment by the dentist. Especially in people with certain diseases of the heart or the great blood vessels. They may develop endocarditis earlier during an operation or treatment by the dentist. They are usually given amoxicillin before surgery to prevent such an infection.
• Amoxicillin is also used as a precaution in people who have been exposed to anthrax bacteria (anthrax). Anthrax has been used as a biological weapon in terrorist attacks (powder letters). By inhaling the powder or through wounds on the skin, the anthrax bacteria can penetrate and cause serious symptoms. The infection can be prevented by using amoxicillin shortly after exposure.

Respiratory infections

• Amoxicillin can be used for different types of respiratory infections, such as sinus inflammation (sinusitis), middle ear infection, laryngitis, pneumonia and acute bronchitis.
• For more information, see Pneumonia , Acute bronchitis , Middle ear infection, Sinus infection and Sore throat .

Pneumonia

Symptoms

• Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue. You feel very ill, have a fever and often have to cough. You can also cough up phlegm. Breathing can be painful and you are often short of breath.

Treatment

• Amoxicillin is an antibiotic commonly used for pneumonia. The doctor prescribes the drug as a first-choice drug.

Operation

• Amoxicillin kills many types of bacteria. Capsules, tablets and oral solution start to work after 1 to 2 hours; the injection and infusion work immediately.
• One dose works for 6 to 12 hours. After a few days you will notice that the symptoms of the infection decrease.

Acute bronchitis

• Acute bronchitisBronchitis is a respiratory infection. You have to cough a lot and sometimes cough up phlegm. You can also have a fever. An acute bronchitis can be caused by a bacteria or a virus. Bronchitis usually goes away on its own.
• If a bacteria is the cause of the infection, and in addition, if you have a fever for more than 7 days and are seriously ill, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic such as amoxicillin.

Operation

• Amoxicillin kills many types of bacteria. Capsules, tablets and oral solution start to work after 1 to 2 hours; the injection and infusion work immediately. One dose works for 6 to 12 hours. After a few days you will notice that the symptoms of the infection decrease.

Middle ear infection

• Middle ear infectionWith a middle ear infection, the inside of the ear is inflamed. This is the part that is located in the head behind the eardrum. Usually a cold virus is the cause. Sometimes a bacteria is the cause of the inflammation.
  The virus or bacteria can enter the middle ear through the passage between the middle ear and the nose and throat and cause inflammation there.

Symptoms

• Because the middle ear is inflamed and the mucous membrane is swollen, the passage between the middle ear and the nose and throat can become blocked. As a result, the pus and mucus do not drain properly to the throat. This gives a pressing earache, sometimes with a fever or a running ear.

Treatment

• Usually, a middle ear infection will go away on its own after a few days. An antibiotic is then not necessary. Moreover, in most cases a virus is the cause of the infection. An antibiotic does not help against this.
• If your middle ear infection is caused by a bacteria and you are in a lot of pain, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic such as amoxicillin.

Operation

• Amoxicillin kills many types of bacteria. Capsules, tablets and oral solution start to work after 1 to 2 hours; the injection and infusion work immediately. One dose works for 6 to 12 hours. After a few days you will notice that the symptoms of the infection decrease.

Sinus infection

• Sinus infectionThe sinuses are spaces between the bones around your nose, such as the forehead and maxillary cavity. These spaces are connected to the nose and throat through a small opening. The virus or bacteria can also infect one of the sinuses due to a nasal cold. This is called sinus inflammation (sinusitis).

Symptoms

• The inflammation causes pus and a lot of mucus to enter the sinuses. You will feel painful pressure in the forehead or around the eyes, especially when you bend down. You may also have pain when chewing.

Treatment

• Usually a sinus infection is caused by a virus. Amoxicillin does not work against that. But if a bacteria is the cause, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, such as amoxicillin.

Operation

• Amoxicillin kills many types of bacteria. Capsules, tablets and oral solution start to work after 1 to 2 hours; the injection and infusion work immediately. One dose works for 6 to 12 hours. After a few days you will notice that the symptoms of the infection decrease.

Maxillary

• sinus inflammation Sometimes a sinus infection is caused by an infection of the tooth root. This can be caused by tooth decay. If the infection is extensive, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic such as amoxicillin.

Sore throat

• Sore throat is usually the result of irritation of the throat, such as cigarette smoke or incorrect use of the voice. A virus can also infect the throat and cause a sore throat. Sore throat usually resolves on its own within a week.
• Sometimes an infection with bacteria is the cause of the sore throat. If the sore throat does not go away on its own and the laryngitis makes you seriously ill, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. Usually the doctor prescribes pheneticillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin or azithromycin. If these cannot be used, the doctor can prescribe amoxicillin.

Cystitis

• CystitisBacteria can enter the bladder through the urethra and cause a bladder infection there. This causes complaints such as having to urinate often, while you urinate little at a time. Urination is painful or burning. You may also have pain in the lower abdomen. Occasionally, the infection ascends to the kidneys. You could then get a pelvic inflammatory disease. You will have a high fever, pain in the side or back, chills and you are often nauseous.

Treatment

• In women who are not pregnant and have no other symptoms, a bladder infection may pass by itself. However, if you find the symptoms bothersome or painful, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. Usually this is nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim or fosfomycin. If these cannot be used or if you have pelvic inflammatory disease, the doctor may prescribe amoxicillin. Usually in combination with clavulanic acid.

Operation

• Amoxicillin kills many types of bacteria. Capsules, tablets and oral solution start to work after 1 to 2 hours; the injection and infusion work immediately. One dose works for 6 to 12 hours. After a few days you will notice that the symptoms of the infection decrease. Sometimes it is possible to use a cure of 1 day.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STD).

Symptoms

• Often you will not notice that you have a chlamydia infection. Occasionally, pain or burning sensation occurs when urinating. Women may notice discharge or bleeding in between. Men also sometimes have testicular pain.
  In women, untreated chlamydia infection can progress to the ovaries and uterus. In men to the prostate and testes. It’s a common cause of infertility.

Cause

• You can become infected through sexual contact with the bacteria that causes chlamydia.

Treatment

• Doctors only prescribe amoxicillin to pregnant women with chlamydia. It is safer during pregnancy than doxycycline or azithromycin, the drugs of choice for chlamydia.

Gonorrhea

Symptoms

• Gonorrhea, also called drip, is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Sometimes you don’t notice that you have gonorrhea. About half of women with gonorrhea develop pain, a colored discharge, and pain when passing urine. Nine in 10 men suffer from an inflamed urethra with discharge.
• Gonorrhea sometimes has serious consequences. In women, the infection can spread to the uterus and ovaries. As a result, women can become infertile. In men, the prostate and testicles can become infected.

Cause

• Gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria. You can become infected with this bacteria through sexual contact.

Prevention

• Use of condoms is sufficient to prevent infection with gonorrhea. If you yourself are infected, it is important not to infect others. If you are not sure whether you are infected, contact your doctor or the GGD.

Treatment

• Usually, doctors prescribe ceftriaxone injection as the first-choice drug. Doctors only prescribe amoxicillin for gonorrhea if it is certain that the bacteria is sensitive to amoxicillin. Usually one dose of a number of tablets or capsules at the same time is sufficient.

Lyme disease

Cause

• The cause of Lyme disease (tick bite disease) is the bite of a tick that is infected with the Lyme bacteria. The tick is mainly found in forests, shrubs and in the dunes. The tick can bite into the skin of humans. If the tick is infected with the Lyme bacteria, the disease can be transmitted to humans through the bite.
• It takes more than 24 hours for the tick to transmit the disease.

How can you prevent the disease?

• Remove the tick as soon as possible. If you remove a tick within 24 hours, you have little chance of the tick bite disease. Watch for a round, red circle around the tick bite site for 3 months after the bite. Does this arise or do you get other complaints? Then contact your doctor. If you do not remove the tick until after 24 hours, always contact your doctor.
• Remove the tick with thumb and forefinger or tweezers in an upright position with a slight twisting motion as close to the skin as possible. Make sure to remove the tick head and all. Some people find it easier with special tick tweezers. This is available in pharmacies.
• Do not pre-treat the tick or skin with alcohol or iodine. There is a chance that the tick will transmit contagious saliva. After removal it is good to disinfect the skin. Make a note of when you removed the tick and where the bite was. This may be important if you do get the bite later on.

Symptoms

• You will often notice an infection with Lyme disease by a round, expanding, red ring around the site of the tick bite. Your doctor will then prescribe a course of antibiotics. Usually this is doxycycline or amoxicillin.
• If the disease is not treated in time, the infection can spread to the joints and nervous system. Even then, an antibiotic treatment is necessary to stop the disease. The doctor usually chooses a different antibiotic than amoxicillin, such as ceftriaxone.

Stomach and duodenal ulcer

Symptoms

• People with a stomach or intestinal ulcer (ulcer) often have a nagging pain in the upper abdomen. Usually the pain is worst at night and the pain is eased with some food. Sometimes, however, the pain occurs just after eating. Bloating, nausea and vomiting also occur.

Causes

• There are various causes for the development of a stomach or intestinal ulcer. Sometimes an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is the cause. If so, the doctor will prescribe a combination of antibiotics and antacids to fight the bacteria. Amoxicillin can be used here.

Skin infection

Symptoms

• A skin infection can be noticed by redness, pain or itching, swelling and the formation of pus. Amoxicillin can be used for severe inflammation of the jaw with spreading ulcers.
• MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes around the brain. It is caused by certain viruses or bacteria. It’s also called meningitis or neck spasm. Because children are vaccinated against the most common causes of meningitis, the disease is becoming less and less common.

Meningitis

Symptoms

• Symptoms of meningitis are fever, muscle pain, chills, headache, nausea, confusion, hypersensitivity to light and sound, listlessness and painful joints. Your neck often becomes stiff, you can no longer put your chin on your chest.
• In some cases small skin bleeds develop. When pushed on with a glass, these tiny purple-red flecks remain – they don’t fade when pressed. These skin bleeds occur when the bacteria enters the blood and starts to grow there. This is a very serious situation, requiring prompt hospitalization.

Treatment

• A meningitis caused by a virus is usually mild and heals on its own within 2 weeks.
• Meningitis caused by bacteria is much more serious and can cause deafness or nerve damage in 1 in 5 people. A course of antibiotics is required immediately, sometimes through an IV.
• The doctor chooses an antibiotic that is most effective against the bacteria. Sometimes that is an infusion with amoxicillin.

What are possible amoxicillin side effects?

In addition to the desired effect, this can cause drug side effects.

The main side effects are the following.

Rare (affects 1 to 10 in 100 people)

• Gastrointestinal complaints , such as diarrhea or loose stools and mild stomach cramps. This will pass on its own within a few days. Very rarely, severe diarrhea (more than 7 times a day) with abdominal cramps and sometimes with fever develops. Then notify a doctor. Drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhea or you will become dehydrated.
• Rash with red spots and bumps. This can also occur a few days after the cure. Usually the rash is harmless and will go away on its own within a week. Rashes can also result from hypersensitivity to this drug. Do you have a rash? Have your doctor check it to determine if it is hypersensitivity.
• Dry mouth and altered taste .
• Inflamed mucous membranes of the mouth , corners of the mouth, pharynx, vagina or poop hole. It is usually a fungal infection of the mucous membranes. This is because the normal balance between the different types of bacteria and fungi has been disrupted. Consult your doctor if you experience a white coating in your mouth, a black tongue, or itching and white discharge in the vagina or labia.
• Hypersensitivity to this drug. You will notice this in a rash, pimples, hives, purple spots on the skin and itching. Then consult your doctor.
  Very rarely you may feel breathless, dizzy, faint or develop a fever. Or you may develop swelling of the face, lips, mouth and throat. You can get very short of breath .
  In rare cases, a serious skin condition with blistering may develop. The blisters mainly develop on the lips and on the mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals. A severe hypersensitivity reaction with fever, swollen lymph nodes and skin rash may also occur. Alert in these cases a doctor immediately, or go to the first emergency service.
  If you are found to be hypersensitive to amoxicillin, you should stop taking this medicine or any antibiotics that look like it. Pass this on to the pharmacist. The pharmacy team can then ensure that you do not receive this medicine or similar medicines again.

Very rare (affects less than 1 in 100 people)

• Dizziness and headaches .
• Brown or gray discoloration of the teeth . This discoloration can usually be brushed off well, or by polishing off by the dentist.
• People with the muscle disease myasthenia gravis can suffer from their condition. Discuss this with your doctor.
• With the infusion : people with epilepsy may have a seizure earlier with a high dose of the infusion. Discuss this with your doctor.
• Fewer red and white blood cells and fewer platelets . Notify your doctor in case of extreme tiredness and pale skin, fever, sore throat and blisters in the mouth and nosebleeds and bruises.
• Liver disorders. You may notice this by a tender, swollen abdomen or yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin. Then notify a doctor.

Consult your doctor if you experience too much of any of the above side effects or if you experience any other side effects that you are concerned about.

Do you suffer from any side effect? Report this to the lareb side effect center. All reports about side effects of medicines in the Netherlands are collected here.

Explanation of frequencies

• Regular : affects more than 30 in 100 people
• Uncommon : affects 10 to 30 in 100 people
• Rare : affects 1 to 10 in 100 people
• Very rare : affects less than 1 in 100 people

how do i take amoxicillin?

Always look for the correct dosage on the label of the pharmacy or in the package insert.

How?

• Capsules take up to a half a glass of water.
• Dissolved tablets (‘dispers’): let the tablet decompose in water, stir briefly and then drink. Then rinse the glass with a little water and drink that too.
• Beverage : Shake the bottle before use. Measure out the correct amount with the measuring cup or measuring spoon and swallow the drink. Rinse the measuring cup or spoon with some water and drink that too.
• Injection or infusion : This is prepared and given by a nurse or doctor.

When?

• Divide the doses throughout the day as much as possible for a constant effect. It is best to choose fixed times, so that you will forget a dose less quickly .
• To prevent an infection from developing through surgery or dental treatment, you usually take this medicine in your oral cavity half an hour to an hour before the procedure or surgery.

How long?

• The duration of treatment depends on the location and severity of the infection . Normally a cure takes 5 to 10 days. For certain infections (Lyme disease, infections in joints) the cure can last for several weeks. In case of severe skin inflammation around the jaw area, a course of treatment often lasts 6 weeks to six months.
• Keep in mind that you cannot interrupt the treatment and that you must complete it completely. Even if you no longer notice the infection before the end of the treatment. This does not mean that all bacteria have disappeared.

what to do if missed dose of amoxicillin?

• If you are taking this medicine twice a day , will it be more than 4 hours before you normally take the next dose ? Then take the forgotten dose .
  Does it take less than 4 hours? Then skip the forgotten dose . You take the forgotten dose at the end of the course. So you shift the moment when you end the treatment. So finish the full course, otherwise there is a chance that the complaints will return.
• If you are taking this medicine 3 or 4 times a day , will it be more than 2 hours before you normally take the next dose ? Then take the forgotten dose . Will it take less than 2 hours? Then skip the forgotten dose . You take the forgotten dose at the end of the course. So you shift the moment when you end the treatment. So finish the full course, otherwise there is a chance that the complaints will return.

Can I drive a car, drink alcohol, and eat or drink anything with this medicine?

drive, drink alcohol or eat everything?

There are no restrictions for this with this medication.

Can I use amoxicillin with other medications?

This drug interacts with other drugs. The text below only lists the active ingredients of these drugs, not the brand names. You can check whether your medicine contains one of these active substances in your package leaflet under the heading ‘composition’.

The drugs with which the main interactions occur are the following.

• Blood thinners. Are you using acenocoumarol or phenprocoumon? You can use a single dose of amoxicillin without any problems. Are you getting a longer cure? Your pharmacy will inform your thrombosis service that you are taking amoxicillin the first time. Also tell the Thrombosis Service yourself when you start or if you stop taking amoxicillin or if the dose changes. Your coagulation must then be measured additionally.
• Antibiotics in the tetracycline – type , such as doxycycline, minocycline and tetracycline. These drugs and amoxicillin can work against each other. This is especially important in serious infections, such as meningitis, inflammation in the heart (endocarditis) or in the blood. You should not use them together for these infections. Discuss this with your doctor. In other infections, combination of tetracyclines with amoxicillin is not a problem.
• Typhoid vaccine capsules . Amoxicillin renders the typhoid vaccine in the capsules ineffective. Therefore, do not use both medications together. If there is a minimum of 3 days between the two medications, there is no problem.
  Do you want to use typhoid vaccine capsules ? Then wait at least 3 days after the treatment with amoxicillin. Or ask your doctor for an injection for typhoid fever. The interaction then does not occur.
  Did you take typhoid vaccine capsules less than 3 days ago and need to start amoxicillin now? Then contact your doctor.

Not sure if any of the above interactions are of interest to you? Please contact your pharmacist or doctor.

can i take amoxicillin while pregnant or breastfeeding?

• You can safely use this drug if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or if you are breast-feeding.
  It has been used for years by women trying to conceive, pregnant and breastfeeding women, without any problems with fertility, before pregnancy or for the child.
• Are you on prescription or over-the-counter medications? Would you like to help increase knowledge about medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Then report your experience to pREGnant .

Can I use this medicine if my kidney or liver function is less?

Kidneys

• Are your kidneys working less well? Then consult your pharmacist. The dose of your medicine may need to be adjusted.
• Are you on dialysis? Then consult your pharmacist. You may need to adjust your medication use. For example:
• • a different dose;
  • a different day or time when you should take your medicine;
  • another drug.

Lever

• Do you have liver cirrhosis (a disease of the liver)? You may use this medication as prescribed by your doctor. This drug does not affect how your liver works. And cirrhosis of the liver does not affect the functioning and side effects of this drug.
• For more general information, please read the topic “Impaired kidney function and medicines” . In this theme you can read, for example, what the influence of reduced kidney function is on your medicines. And find out how your pharmacist can help you use medicine safely if your kidneys are not working properly.

Can I use this medicine if I am seriously overweight or have had a stomach reduction?

Stomach reduction

• Have you had a stomach reduction? You may use this medication as prescribed by your doctor. Little is known about the use of this medicine after gastric bypass surgery.
• But no changes are expected in the action and side effects of this drug.

Severe obesity

• Are you seriously overweight? Then talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Little is known about the use of this drug for serious obesity. Your doctor may adjust the dose.
• If you do not know whether you are seriously overweight, you can calculate this. Namely by calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index). This number indicates whether your weight matches your height. To do this, go to the BMI meter and enter your weight and height. Is your BMI 40 or more? Or your BMI is 35 or more and you also have other health problems, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes (diabetes). Then you are seriously overweight.

What are the side effects of stopping amoxicillin?

• If you stop, there is a chance that not all bacteria will have disappeared. The infection then persists or returns. So always complete the course, according to your doctor’s instructions.
• If you experience any allergic reactions or serious side effects, you must stop. In that case, contact your doctor immediately.

Is there another name for Amoxicillin?

The active substance amoxicillin is contained in the following products:

• Amoxicillin
• Amoxi
• Panclamox
• Do I need a prescription?

Amoxicillin has been on the international market since 1972. It is available by prescription as the unbranded Amoxicillin and Amoxi. It is available in capsules , dissolving tablets (‘dispers’), oral solution and injections.

Amoxicillin is also available in combination with another active ingredient, under the brand names Augmentin, Panclamox and as the unbranded Amoxicillin / Clavulanic acid. These combinations are available in tablets, oral solution and injections.

How is this drug available?

what medicine contains amoxicillin?