Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that belongs to a class of antibiotics called penicillins. Other members of this class include ampicillin (Unasyn), piperacillin (Pipracil), ticarcillin (Ticar) and a several others. These antibiotics are very similar to penicillin. They stop bacteria from growing and multiplying by preventing the bacterial cells from forming the wall that surrounds them. The cell wall protects bacteria from their environment and keeps 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.

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

STORAGE: Tablets, capsules and dry powder can be stored at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F). Powder that has been mixed with water should be refrigerated.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Amoxicillin is used to treat infections due to organisms that are susceptible to the effects 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 12 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours depending on the type 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 either 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours or 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours.

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

PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of amoxicillin in pregnant women.

NURSING MOTHERS: Small amounts of amoxicillin may be excreted in breast milk and may cause diarrhea or allergic responses in nursing infants.

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.