Whether you have a cold, a cough, or a fever in your child, Amoxicillin is a medicine that doctors in our country often prescribe. You may have received it in the form of a chewable tablet. But even though this is a very common medicine, many of us do not know exactly how to use it, what it can do, and what to be careful about when taking it. So today, let's talk about the most important things you need to know about Amoxicillin.
What exactly is Amoxicillin?
Simply put, Amoxicillin is an antibiotic. That is, a medicine that kills bacteria that enter our body. It belongs to the group of antibiotics called penicillin.
The important thing here is that Amoxicillin only works on bacterial infections. It has no effect on illnesses caused by viruses, for example, the common cold or flu.
Imagine that there are two types of enemies that enter our bodies: bacteria and viruses. The weapon called Amoxicillin can only kill the enemies called bacteria. It cannot do anything to the enemies called viruses. Therefore, the doctor will only give you this medicine if he or she determines that the cause of your illness is a bacterial infection.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, he or she will need to have a complete picture of your health . So if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor .
- Kidney disease: If you have any kidney-related disease.
- Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergy to Amoxicillin, another type of penicillin, or a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins. Also, tell your doctor if you have any allergies to other medications, foods, or preservatives.
- Phenylketonuria (PKU): This is a very rare, inherited condition. If you have this condition, you should tell your doctor about it. Amoxicillin chewable tablets may contain a substance called phenylalanine.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a breastfeeding mother.
The correct way to use the medicine
To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it properly.
- How to take: Since this is a chewable tablet, you can chew it well and swallow it. Or you can swallow it whole with water.
- With or without food: This medicine can be taken before or after food. However, some people may experience stomach upset after taking it. If this happens, take the medicine with food.
- Take it at the right time: Take the medicine at the time prescribed by the doctor, at the right intervals.
- Complete the course (MOST IMPORTANT): This is the most important thing. If your doctor has prescribed you a medication for 5, 7, or 10 days, you should take the entire course for that number of days. Do not stop taking the medication even if you feel better after two or three days.
Imagine you are at war with bacteria. When you take a medicine for two days and the illness subsides, it is as if only half of the enemies on the battlefield have died, leaving only the strongest. Those remaining bacteria later adapt to be resistant to this medicine. That is what we call antibiotic resistance . If that happens, the medicine may not work for you next time.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is very close to the time of your next dose (for example, within an hour or two), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once for any reason.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you suspect you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Alternatively, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other medications that may interact with Amoxicillin
If you are taking medication for other conditions, it is very important to tell your doctor about it, as some medications can interact with Amoxicillin.
| Type of medicine | Things to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Allopurinol | Taking Amoxicillin with this medicine for diseases such as gout may increase the risk of skin rash. |
| Birth control pills | Birth control pills may be less effective while taking Amoxicillin. Therefore, talk to your doctor about using another form of birth control (e.g. condoms) during this time. |
| Other types of antibiotics | It may interact with other antibiotics such as Chloramphenicol, Erythromycin, and Tetracycline. |
| Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin) | If someone taking these medications takes Amoxicillin, the risk of bleeding may change. Therefore, they should always be under medical supervision. |
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Amoxicillin can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, while others are common.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat (may cause difficulty breathing). |
| Serious skin reactions | Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth). |
| Severe diarrhea | If you have severe diarrhea and a fever (if it lasts more than two days, be sure to tell your doctor ). |
| For women | Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| |
How do you store your medicine properly?
To maintain the quality of medicines, they must be stored correctly.
- Keep away from children.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and moisture.
- Throw away expired medicine.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. The right dose for your condition may not be right for someone else. Therefore, never share your medicine with others.
Take-Home Message
- Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is only given for bacterial infections. It is not useful for the common cold.
- Take the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by the doctor. Do not stop taking it halfway just because the pain has subsided.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies you have and any other medications you are taking.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or severe diarrhea, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid sharing your prescribed medication with others. It can be dangerous.
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