Key takeaways:
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is a popular prescription antibiotic. It’s a type of penicillin antibiotic that treats bacterial infections of the skin, throat, and more.
For most people, it takes at least 12 hours for amoxicillin to fully leave your system. But this will depend on your dose, body weight, and other health conditions. It may take longer for some people to clear amoxicillin from their system.
Amoxicillin is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 60% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
If a bacterial infection is the cause of your illness, a short-term prescription for amoxicillin (Amoxil) may be in your future. It’s a popular penicillin antibiotic used to fight skin infections, strep throat, and more.
However, if you’re concerned about side effects or interactions, you may be wondering how long amoxicillin stays in your system. Here are eight tips to help you get the most out of your prescription.
For most people, amoxicillin stays in your system for at least 12 hours. But the specific time will depend on factors like your dose and body weight. Other factors, like kidney health or interacting medications, also play roles.
After you take a dose of amoxicillin, it’s rapidly processed by your kidneys. In fact, it takes about 1 hour for your kidneys to clear half your dose from your body. After 8 hours, levels of amoxicillin will be undetectable in your blood. The remaining low levels of amoxicillin are gradually cleared by the kidneys over the next few hours.
Keep in mind: The time it takes a medication to completely leave the body will be different for everyone. For example, newborns and people with kidney problems may clear amoxicillin more slowly. For these people, it may take a few days.
In most cases, amoxicillin courses last 5 to 10 days. But some people take it for up to 14 days (2 weeks). How long you have to take amoxicillin depends on your infection type and how serious it is.
Even if you start to feel better, make sure you finish taking all of the amoxicillin that you're prescribed. If you don't, your body may still have leftover bacteria that can become resistant to antibiotics in the future — making it harder to treat.
Most adults and kids take amoxicillin two or three times per day. Taking it at meal times is best practice.
You don’t have to take amoxicillin with food, but common amoxicillin side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. So taking amoxicillin with food may help lessen stomach-related side effects. You can use your meal times as a reminder to take your medication.
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If you plan on receiving certain travel vaccines — like the live cholera vaccine (Vaxchora) or live typhoid (Vivotif) vaccine — while you're taking amoxicillin, you should space them apart. When taken together, amoxicillin may make them less effective. For this reason, Vaxchora should be taken at least 14 days (2 weeks) apart from amoxicillin. Vivotif should be taken at least 72 hours (3 days) apart from amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin also has some other possible interactions to know about. These interactions can make certain side effects more likely to happen. Examples of medications that interact with amoxicillin include warfarin (Coumadin, Jantovin), allopurinol (Zyloprim), and probenecid.
No. While amoxicillin is commonly used because of its effectiveness, affordability, and availability, that doesn’t mean it's better than other penicillin antibiotics. The best antibiotic depends on your infection, what’s causing it, and how serious it is.
Amoxicillin is chemically (structurally) related to penicillin antibiotics. It’s considered a broad spectrum antibiotic, meaning it’s effective against a wide range of bacteria.
But it’s not always the perfect choice. There are situations where other penicillin antibiotics may be preferred over amoxicillin. This is because other penicillin antibiotics, like Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) and Zosyn (piperacillin/tazobactam), target different types of bacteria than amoxicillin. Some are also administered in other ways, such as into a vein (IV). Amoxicillin is only available as an oral medication.
Most people can tell they have an amoxicillin allergy (penicillin allergy) if they develop a raised, itchy rash within about 1 hour of taking the antibiotic. Other signs of an amoxicillin allergy may include swelling of the face, wheezing, and a fast heartbeat.
However, “true” amoxicillin allergies can be elusive. Most people who have had mild allergic reactions to penicillin antibiotics may not really have an allergy (mislabeled allergy). And others lose their allergy over time (resolved allergy).
If you think you've had a reaction to amoxicillin in the past, let your healthcare provider know. They can perform a skin test to see if you're really allergic to penicillin antibiotics like amoxicillin.
Yes. Amoxicillin is considered safe to take. It’s generally well tolerated, too. But, like with all medications, it has a number of side effects that are good to be aware of. The good news is that most side effects are manageable and go away after you finish taking the antibiotic.Â
Common amoxicillin side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Skin rashes, taste and smell changes, and headaches are also possible.Â
Severe allergic reactions to amoxicillin are rare, but possible. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you have trouble breathing or experience swelling of the face, lips, or tongue.
Taking amoxicillin with food helps prevent stomach-related side effects. But if you develop an upset stomach anyway, limiting yourself to plain, starchy foods is a good next step. You can also ask your healthcare provider about trying over-the-counter (OTC) nausea or diarrhea relief medications for temporary support.Â
If you continue to experience symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea for a few days, it’s a good idea to reach out to your provider for advice. They can offer tips on how to better manage your symptoms. In the meantime, electrolyte drinks and water are helpful for hydration.
Skin rashes are another hurdle. Most skin rashes are mild and improve after a few days. But if you experience hives (raised, itchy bumps), this could be a sign of a serious allergic reaction. You should stop taking amoxicillin and let your provider know right away if you have a rash that's getting worse or swelling.
There are ways to save on amoxicillin, which is available as a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you save over 60% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic amoxicillin’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $8.10 with a free GoodRx discount.
For most people, amoxicillin stays in your system for at least 12 hours. But this may be a bit longer for people with certain medical conditions. How long you take amoxicillin depends on the type of infection being treated and how serious your infection is.
In general, amoxicillin is safe to take. Its side effects are manageable and usually go away after you finish taking the medication. But let your healthcare provider know if you experience any bothersome side effects while you're taking amoxicillin.
Akhavan, B. J., et al. (2022). Amoxicillin. StatPearls.Â
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (2022). AMOXICILLIN - amoxicillin tablet, film coated; AMOXICILLIN - amoxicillin powder, for suspension; AMOXICILLIN - amoxicillin tablet, chewable; AMOXICILLIN - amoxicillin capsule [package insert].Â
Thambavita, D., et al. (2017). Biowaiver monograph for immediate-release solid oral dosage forms: Amoxicillin trihydrate. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Â
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