Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin (a moks i SIL in) oral capsule is prescribed to treat certain bacterial infections in adults and some children. It’s a generic version of the brand-name drug Amoxil. Amoxicillin belongs to a group of drugs called antibiotics.
Amoxicillin (a moks i SIL in) oral capsule is prescribed to treat certain bacterial infections in adults and some children. It’s a generic version of the brand-name drug Amoxil. Amoxicillin belongs to a group of drugs called antibiotics.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 500mg
- • 30 Capsules
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Introduction
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh on April 2, 2023
Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS
This article describes amoxicillin oral capsule’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Below you’ll find coupon options for amoxicillin.
Uses of amoxicillin
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as amoxicillin for certain conditions. Approved uses for amoxicillin oral capsule are described below.
Use for certain infections
Doctors may prescribe amoxicillin oral capsule for treating certain bacterial infections. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children of any age. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
With a bacterial infection, you may have fever or other symptoms depending on the type of infection.
Bacterial infections* that amoxicillin may be used to treat include:
- ear infections
- throat infections, such as strep throat
- nose or sinus infections
- skin infections
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- lung infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis
Amoxicillin is prescribed together with other drugs for Helicobacter pylori (also called H. pylori) infection in adults. (H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect your digestive tract and cause ulcers.) Amoxicillin may be used with clarithromycin and lansoprazole (Prevacid), or with just lansoprazole.
* Amoxicillin will not work to treat viral infections such as colds or flu.
Side effects of amoxicillin
Amoxicillin may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of amoxicillin oral capsule and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age and overall health and any other medications you take.
To learn more about amoxicillin oral capsule’s side effects, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for amoxicillin oral capsule.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with amoxicillin oral capsule are listed below.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Amoxicillin oral capsule’s mild side effects include:
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- rash
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for amoxicillin” section below.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of amoxicillin oral capsule are listed below. With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common.
If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Amoxicillin oral capsule’s serious side effects include:
- diarrhea caused by Clostridioides difficile (a type of bacteria often called C. diff), which can occur more than 2 months after taking amoxicillin
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for amoxicillin” section below.
Common questions about amoxicillin
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about amoxicillin oral capsule.
How does amoxicillin compare with other similar drugs, such as penicillin or azithromycin?
Amoxicillin, penicillin, and azithromycin (Zithromax) are all antibiotic drugs. Other similar antibiotics include erythromycin (Ery-Tab, Eryc, others) and amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (Augmentin).
These antibiotics belong to different groups. They all treat bacterial infections, but they’re not all used for the same infections.
Amoxicillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium belong to a group of drugs called beta-lactam antibiotics. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to one of these drugs, it’s possible you’ll also have an allergic reaction to other drugs in the group.
Azithromycin and erythromycin belong to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. It’s safe to take these antibiotics if you’re allergic to beta-lactam antibiotics.
The antibiotic your doctor chooses to prescribe will depend on various factors. These include the type of bacteria causing your infection and any past allergic reactions you’ve had to antibiotics. If you have questions about the best choice of antibiotic for you, talk with your doctor.
Can amoxicillin 500-mg capsules make you tired?
No, that’s not likely. Tiredness wasn’t reported in studies of amoxicillin oral capsules.
However, amoxicillin is used to treat infections and you may feel tired if you have an infection. If you feel tired, try to get plenty of rest. This can help your body fight the infection.
Do amoxicillin oral capsules expire?
Yes, amoxicillin oral capsules do expire. The expiration date will be printed on the label that your pharmacist puts on the bottle. You typically should not use medication that has gone past its expiration date. It might not be effective.
If you have amoxicillin oral capsules that are past their expiration date, ask a pharmacist or your doctor how to dispose of the medication. Also, this article has some tips for safely disposing of medication.
How does amoxicillin work? And how long does it take to start working?
Amoxicillin treats bacterial infections by killing the bacteria that’s causing the infection. It does this by causing the cell walls of bacteria to break apart. This allows the cell contents to leak out, which kills the bacteria.
Amoxicillin starts working soon after you start taking it. But it may take a couple of days before the symptoms of the infection start to improve.
It’s important to finish your prescribed course of treatment, even if you feel better before you’ve finished taking all of your prescribed doses. If you stop treatment early, the infection may not be fully treated and could get worse or come back. The bacteria could also become resistant to the antibiotic. This means the infection could be harder to treat with amoxicillin or other antibiotics.
Is there a best time of day to take amoxicillin? What should I do if I miss a dose of amoxicillin?
You should take amoxicillin as prescribed by your doctor. Amoxicillin is usually taken either twice per day (every 12 hours) or three times per day (about every 8 hours).
Try to take your doses at the same times each day. This helps keep a steady amount of amoxicillin in your body, which helps it work more effectively.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
Can amoxicillin capsules be crushed, split, or chewed?
No, you should not crush, split, or chew amoxicillin capsules. If you have trouble swallowing the capsules, talk with your doctor. Amoxicillin is available in other forms that may be more suitable for you, such as a liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture) or chewable tablets.
Note: Amoxicillin liquid suspension or chewable tablets may be prescribed for children who have trouble swallowing capsules.
Dosage of amoxicillin
The dosage of amoxicillin oral capsule your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.
Taking amoxicillin
Amoxicillin oral capsules should be swallowed whole.
Your doctor will talk with you about how to take amoxicillin oral capsules. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.
Amoxicillin oral capsule can be taken with or without food. Taking it with food may reduce digestive side effects such as nausea.
See the “Common questions about amoxicillin” section for information on missed doses and the best time to take this drug.
Overdose of amoxicillin
You should not take more amoxicillin than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much amoxicillin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Interactions of amoxicillin
For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take amoxicillin, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. They can check for interactions these items may cause with amoxicillin. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription medications
- over-the-counter medications
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for amoxicillin” section below.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and amoxicillin
Information about amoxicillin and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Amoxicillin and pregnancy
In general, amoxicillin oral capsule is considered safe to take during pregnancy. That said, check with your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you specifically.
Amoxicillin and breastfeeding
In general, amoxicillin oral capsule is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. That said, check with your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you specifically.
If you take amoxicillin while breastfeeding, you should contact your doctor if your child develops:
Warnings for amoxicillin
Amoxicillin should not be taken by certain people. And, it should be used cautiously by certain other people. Precautions for taking this drug are described below.
Warnings
Amoxicillin could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether amoxicillin oral capsule is a safe option for you.
Tell your doctor about your overall health and any past health conditions before you take amoxicillin oral capsule. Health conditions and other factors you and your doctor should discuss include:
- past allergic reactions to antibiotics, such as penicillin or cefaclor
- kidney problems
- mononucleosis (a viral infection commonly referred to as “mono”)
Allergic reaction
Amoxicillin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, any of its ingredients, or other similar antibiotics, your doctor will likely not prescribe amoxicillin. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Amoxicillin coupon
You may be able to save money on your prescription for amoxicillin oral capsule by using our Perks discount coupons. These can be found at the end of this article.
If you have questions about how to pay for amoxicillin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more about the cost of amoxicillin in this article.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes amoxicillin oral capsule’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about amoxicillin or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How many days will I need to take amoxicillin for?
- Are there other options for treating my infection?
- How will my infection be treated if amoxicillin doesn’t work?
Article resources
- Amoxicillin- amoxicillin capsule. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d6a33b28-f520-4a4c-b553-0ebd00558345/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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