Amoxicillin is a medicine that is often given to you when you go to the doctor when you have a fever, cough, or cold. So this is a medicine that we are very familiar with. But are we really aware of this medicine? In this article today, we will simply talk about how to take it, what things to be careful about, and what are
the side effects .
What is Amoxicillin?
Simply put, Amoxicillin is a type of
antibiotic . To be precise, it belongs to the penicillin group of antibiotics. Its main function is to treat
infections caused by bacteria .
So, unless a doctor has prescribed this medicine, don't go to the pharmacy and buy it when you have a cold, because it won't do anything.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before prescribing Amoxicillin to you, there are a few things your doctor needs to know. Be sure to mention these things.
| If you have these conditions... | Why is it important? |
|---|
| If you have kidney disease. | This medicine is eliminated from the body by the kidneys. So if there is a problem with the kidneys, the doctor will have to change the dosage of the medicine. |
| If you have had an allergic reaction to Amoxicillin, other penicillins, or cephalosporins. | This is very important. Giving the same medicine again could cause a severe allergic reaction. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. | Although it is safe in most cases, it is essential to inform your doctor about this. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother. | A small amount of the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. So tell your doctor about this as well. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it as directed.
- Take this pill with a glass of water.
- Never break, crush , or chew extended-release tablets. Swallow the tablet whole.
- It is best to take this medicine with a meal .
- Take your medicine at the right time, at the right intervals. Don't take more than your doctor tells you to.
- Most importantly: Even if you feel better, finish the entire course of medication prescribed by your doctor. Don't stop taking it halfway through. Doing so can cause the infection to come back and cause bacteria to develop resistance to the medication.
When given to children?
This medicine is sometimes prescribed to children over 12 years of age. However, this should only be done under the advice of a pediatrician.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, do not panic and immediately call
the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go
to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
Be a little careful about your body while using this medicine.
| What to pay attention to | What to do? |
|---|
| Severe diarrhea | If you have watery diarrhea that lasts for more than two days, do not take medication from the pharmacy on your own. Call your doctor immediately. |
| Birth control pills | Birth control pills may be less effective while taking Amoxicillin. Therefore, talk to your doctor about using an additional form of birth control (such as condoms) while taking this medication and for a week afterward. |
| Diabetes | If you are diabetic, you may get false-positive results when testing your urine for sugar. Talk to your doctor about this. |
| Severe skin reactions | Sometimes, even weeks after starting the medication, a severe skin reaction can occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience fever, body aches, red/purple blisters on your skin, blistering, peeling skin, or swelling of your face, lips, neck, or armpits. |
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, Amoxicillin can cause side effects. Some of these are serious, while others are common.
- Severe allergic reaction: skin rash, itching, swelling of the body , swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat , difficulty breathing.
- Blistering, redness , and peeling of the skin: These can also occur inside the mouth.
- Severe diarrhea and fever.
- Abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, or odor in women.
Side effects that are usually not serious (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist):
- Normal diarrhea
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Other medications that may interact with Amoxicillin
If you are taking other medications, be sure to tell your doctor about them as well. Amoxicillin can interact with these medications in particular:
- Allopurinol (a medicine for gout)
- Birth control pills
- Some other antibiotics (such as chloramphenicol, tetracycline)
- Medicines that stop blood clotting (e.g. warfarin)
Take-Home Message
- Amoxicillin is a medicine used to treat bacterial infections . It does not work for viral infections like the common cold.
- Even if you feel better, take the entire dose of medicine prescribed by the doctor.
- Swallow Amoxicillin Extended-Release tablets whole, without breaking or crushing them .
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have, especially kidney disease and drug allergies.
- If you experience severe diarrhea or severe skin rashes, seek medical advice immediately .
- Since the effectiveness of birth control pills may be reduced when taking this medication, consider using an additional protective method.
Amoxicillin, antibiotic, penicillin, bacterial infection, side effects, drug interaction, extended-release
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