amoxicillin
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is a penicillin antibiotic that's used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as sinus infections, ear infections, strep throat, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). It's available as oral pills, a chewable tablet, and an oral liquid. Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is well-tolerated, but possible side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, and rash.
What is Amoxicillin (Amoxil)?
What is Amoxicillin (Amoxil) used for?
- Upper respiratory tract infections (ear, nose, and throat infections)
- Lower respiratory tract infections (e.g., pneumonia, bronchitis)
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
- Helicobacter pylori infection (adults only)
How Amoxicillin (Amoxil) works
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is a type of penicillin antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from making an additional covering around themselves for protection.
Drug facts
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Side effects of Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash
Less Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Taste changes
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic and skin reactions: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, blisters, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
- Infectious (C. difficile-related) diarrhea: rapid heart rate, foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, nausea, frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day)
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The following Amoxicillin (Amoxil) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
back, leg, or stomach pains
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine
bloody nose
chills
clay-colored stools
dark urine
diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
feeling of discomfort
general body swelling
headache
heavier menstrual periods
hives or welts
increased thirst
inflammation of the joints
joint or muscle pain
loss of appetite
muscle aches
nausea or vomiting
nosebleeds
pain in the lower back
pain or burning while urinating
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rash
red, irritated eyes
redness, soreness, or itching skin
shortness of breath
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
sores, welting, or blisters
sudden decrease in the amount of urine
swollen, lymph glands
tenderness
tightness in the chest
unpleasant breath odor
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight loss
vomiting of blood
watery or bloody diarrhea
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
change in taste
Incidence not known
Agitation
black, hairy tongue
changes in behavior
confusion
convulsions
discoloration of the tooth (brown, yellow, or gray staining)
dizziness
trouble with sleeping
unable to sleep
white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
white patches with diaper rash
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
Pros
- Works well to treat many different bacterial infections
- Can use for adults and children
- Available in many forms (e.g., oral tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, liquid)
- Liquid form comes in many different flavors to make it taste better
Cons
- Might need to take up to three times per day
- Can cause stomach side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Not the best option if you have severe kidney problems
- Might not be able to take this medication if you've had a severe allergy to penicillin
Pharmacist tips for Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
- Take amoxicillin (Amoxil) exactly as prescribed. Make sure to finish your treatment course, even if you're feeling better. Stopping the medication earlier than prescribed can make your infection come back and become harder to treat.
- Swallow the amoxicillin (Amoxil) oral tablets and capsules whole. If you're having trouble swallowing them, ask your provider about switching you to the chewable tablets or suspension (liquid). If you have the chewable tablets, chew them first before swallowing; don't swallow them whole.
- You can take amoxicillin (Amoxil) with or without food. But nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common side effects, so taking it with food can help lessen or prevent these side effects.
- Some people notice changes in taste after starting amoxicillin (Amoxil). This side effect isn't harmful and should go away after you finish treatment.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking amoxicillin (Amoxil) because it could raise your risk for stomach side effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Drinking alcohol can also make it harder for you to recover from your infection since alcohol can weaken your immune system.
- Ask your provider whether it's safe and appropriate for you to take a probiotic to help lessen the risk of a rare, but more serious form of diarrhea caused by a Clostridium difficile (C. diff) bacterial infection. If your provider says you can, make sure to separate the probiotic from amoxicillin (Amoxil) by at least 2 hours to prevent the antibiotic from killing the "good" bacteria in the probiotic.
- Get medical help as soon as possible if you develop watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, fatigue, or stomach cramps anytime during treatment or after stopping amoxicillin (Amoxil). These could be signs of C. difficile-related diarrhea, which needs to be treated right away.
- Make sure to tell your provider about all of the medications you're taking before and during treatment with amoxicillin (Amoxil). Amoxicillin (Amoxil) interacts with some medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin) and allopurinol (Zyloprim). Your provider can check for drug interactions and make sure your medications are safe for you to take together.
More tips for amoxicillin (Amoxil) oral suspension:
- Make sure you know which strength of the amoxicillin (Amoxil) oral suspension you have to avoid giving the wrong dose. There are three different strengths available.
- Shake the bottle well before measuring out each dose. Make sure to only use a oral dosing syringe from the pharmacy to measure out your dose. Don't use household spoons because they aren't accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.
- Store the amoxicillin (Amoxil) suspension at room temperature or in the refrigerator. After 14 days, throw away the bottle, even if there's still some medication left. Your pharmacist typically writes this date on the bottle to help remind you when to throw it away.
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Common questions about Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
Yes, amoxicillin (Amoxil) is a penicillin antibiotic. This means that if you have a penicillin allergy, you might also be allergic to amoxicillin (Amoxil) too. Your provider will decide to use amoxicillin (Amoxil) to treat your infection based on what your reaction to penicillin was like. If you had a mild rash or itchy skin when you took penicillin, your provider will probably still prescribe amoxicillin (Amoxil) and ask you to closely watch for allergic reactions. But if you had a severe reaction like facial swelling, closing of the throat, or anaphylaxis, your provider might decide to use a different antibiotic to be safe.
Yes. But it's typically not a first-choice option for UTI. Generally, there aren't many studies showing strong evidence that it works well when compared to other antibiotics used for UTIs. In addition, there's a high chance that the bacteria causing the UTI is resistant to amoxicillin (Amoxil) treatment. But amoxicillin (Amoxil) can be considered for UTIs if the bacteria causing the infection is susceptible to it, meaning that amoxicillin (Amoxil) will work to kill the bacteria. Your healthcare provider will decide the length of treatment based on how severe your UTI is and what bacteria is causing the infection. But it's typically between 3 and 7 days.
Yes, amoxicillin (Amoxil) is one of the first-choice treatment options for people with strep throat. You'll typically need to take amoxicillin (Amoxil) for 10 days to treat strep throat. But your provider might recommend to take the antibiotic for a shorter or longer amount of time, depending on how severe your strep throat is.
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) starts to work quickly — you should start to feel better after 2 to 3 days. In terms of how long amoxicillin (Amoxil) lasts in the body, it generally stays in your body for up to 8 hours before most of the medication leaves the body after a single dose. But it'll depend on your dose and kidney health. This is because the kidneys help the body get rid of the medication. So when the kidneys aren't working as well as they should (like in people with kidney problems), it can take longer for the body to remove the medication.
Yes, diarrhea is a common side effect from taking antibiotics, including amoxicillin (Amoxil). If you experience diarrhea, you can try following the BRAT diet for a short while to help with your stomach upset or use over-the-counter diarrhea medications. But call your provider right away if you start having watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, fatigue, or stomach cramps anytime during treatment or after stopping amoxicillin (Amoxil). These could be signs of serious infectious diarrhea that requires treatment.
Yes, it's generally okay to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) with amoxicillin (Amoxil). These two medications don't interact with each other or affect how well they each work. But acetaminophen (Tylenol) also has risks to consider that shouldn't be ignored, such as liver problems. Before using acetaminophen (Tylenol) with amoxicillin (Amoxil), speak with your healthcare provider to make sure it's safe for you to do so.
Missing a dose of amoxicillin (Amoxil) can potentially cause your infection to not get properly treated or to come back and become harder to treat. Gaps in your treatment course from missed doses raises your risk for infections from bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. This is why it's important to take all of your prescribed doses of amoxicillin (Amoxil). If you happen to miss a dose of amoxicillin (Amoxil), take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Don't double-up on the dose to make up for the missed dose. If you're not sure what to do when you miss a dose, contact your provider or pharmacist for instructions.
Yes, penicillin antibiotics like amoxicillin (Amoxil) are considered safe to take during pregnancy. Studies haven't shown that it causes significant harm to unborn babies.
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Risks and warnings for Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic and skin reactions
- Risk factors: Allergy to penicillin | Currently have a mononucleosis infection
Severe allergic reactions to amoxicillin (Amoxil) are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). Let your provider know if you have an allergy to antibiotics. If you notice hives, rash, red skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after taking amoxicillin (Amoxil), get medical help right away.
Additionally, although rare, amoxicillin (Amoxil) can cause serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. Amoxicillin (Amoxil) isn't recommended if you currently have a mononucleosis infection because a high number of people with this type of infection developed a skin rash when they took amoxicillin. Stop using amoxicillin (Amoxil) and get medical attention right away if you notice changes in your skin, such as rash, blisters, skin reddening, or skin peeling.
Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
Antibiotics, including amoxicillin (Amoxil), raise your risk of getting infected with a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). This infection can cause diarrhea that can sometimes be life-threatening. Antibiotics change the amount of normal bacteria in your stomach and intestines. This can cause C. diff to overgrow in your gut and lead to an infection. This type of infectious diarrhea is different than the diarrhea you might get as a possible side effect of amoxicillin (Amoxil). C. diff-related diarrhea can cause rapid heart rate, foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, nausea, bloody stools, or frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day). This is considered a medical emergency. If you experience any of these symptoms, get medical attention right away so you can be tested for C. diff infection and receive treatment.
Development of drug-resistant bacteria
Your provider will make sure that you're taking amoxicillin (Amoxil) for the appropriate infection and amount of time. Using amoxicillin (Amoxil) for any shorter or longer periods of time or taking the antibiotic for other illnesses can raise your risk for developing infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. This raises your risk for severe and life-threatening infections that might be difficult to treat.
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) dosage
Bottle of oral suspension| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100ml of 200mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $8.95 | $8.95 |
| 75ml of 200mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $7.34 | $7.34 |
| 50ml of 200mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $5.73 | $5.73 |
| 150ml of 250mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $8.16 | $8.16 |
| 100ml of 250mg/5ml | 2 bottles | $13.20 | $6.60 |
| 80ml of 250mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $5.52 | $5.52 |
| 50ml of 400mg/5ml | 3 bottles | $10.49 | $3.50 |
| 100ml of 400mg/5ml | 2 bottles | $11.32 | $5.66 |
| 75ml of 400mg/5ml | 2 bottles | $10.48 | $5.24 |
| 100ml of 125mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $3.83 | $3.83 |
| 80ml of 125mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $3.56 | $3.56 |
| 150ml of 125mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $4.49 | $4.49 |
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500mg | 21 capsules | $8.10 | $0.39 |
| 250mg | 21 capsules | $4.64 | $0.22 |
Typical dosage for Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
The dose and length of treatment depends on what type of infection you have, how serious it is, your weight, and whether you have kidney problems. Your provider will determine the right dose and length of treatment for you.
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is available as tablets, capsules, and a liquid that are swallowed by mouth. This medication also comes as chewable tablets that are chewed before they're swallowed.
Mild or moderate upper respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and UTIs
- Adults and children at least 3 months of age and weigh at least 88 lbs (40 kg): The typical dose is 500 mg by mouth every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours.
- Children at least 3 months of age and weigh less than 88 lbs (40 kg): The typical dose is 12.5 mg/kg of body weight by mouth every 12 hours or 6.7 mg/kg every 8 hours.
- Children younger than 3 months of age: The typical dose is up to 15 mg/kg by mouth every 12 hours.
Lower respiratory tract and other severe infections
- Adults and children at least 3 months of age and weigh at least 88 lbs (40 kg): The typical dose is 500 mg by mouth every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours.
- Children at least 3 months of age and weigh less than 88 lbs (40 kg): The typical dose is 13.3 mg/kg of body weight by mouth every 8 hours or 22.5 mg/kg every 12 hours.
- Children younger than 3 months of age: The typical dose is up to 15 mg/kg by mouth every 12 hours.
H. pylori infection (adults only)
- Triple therapy: The typical dose is 1 gram by mouth every 12 hours for 14 days. It's taken along with clarithromycin and lansoprazole (Prevacid).
- Dual therapy: The typical dose is 1 gram by mouth every 8 hours for 14 days. It's taken along with lansoprazole (Prevacid).
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Interactions between Amoxicillin (Amoxil) and other drugs
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Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Chlortetracycline
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Demeclocycline
- Desogestrel
- Dienogest
- Doxycycline
- Drospirenone
- Eravacycline
- Estradiol
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethynodiol
- Gestodene
- Levonorgestrel
- Lymecycline
- Meclocycline
- Mestranol
- Methacycline
- Methotrexate
- Minocycline
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Nomegestrol
- Norethindrone
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Omadacycline
- Oxytetracycline
- Rolitetracycline
- Sarecycline
- Sulfasalazine
- Tetracycline
- Tigecycline
- Venlafaxine
- Warfarin
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acenocoumarol
- Khat
- Probenecid
How much does Amoxicillin (Amoxil) cost?
$3.56
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Amoxicillin (Amoxil) will not be safe for you to take.
- Severe allergy to other penicillins or beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., cephalexin (Keflex))
What are alternatives to Amoxicillin (Amoxil)?
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