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- $Unique_ID{BRK03024}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{amoxicillin}
- $Subject{Amoxil Beecham Polymox Bristol Trimox Squibb Utimox Parke-Davis Wymox
- Wyeth Antibiotic amoxicillin bacterial infections middle ear skin upper lower
- respiratory tracts urinary tract injuring cell walls bacteria}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Amoxil 250 mg*0302401.scf
- Amoxil 500 mg*0302402.scf
- Trimox*0302403.scf
- Wymox 250 mg*0302404.scf
- Wymox 500 mg*0302405.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- amoxicillin
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- amoxicillin (various manufacturers)
- Amoxil (Beecham)
- Polymox (Bristol)
- Trimox (Squibb)
- Utimox (Parke-Davis)
- Wymox (Wyeth)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Antibiotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- amoxicillin
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Capsules (250 mg and 500 mg)
- Chewable tablets (125 mg and 250 mg)
- Oral suspension (125 mg and 250 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
- Oral suspension drops (50 mg per ml)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Amoxicillin tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature in
- tightly closed containers. The oral suspension should be stored in the
- refrigerator in a tightly closed container. Any unused portion of the
- suspension should be discarded after 14 days because the drug loses its
- potency after that time. This medication should never be frozen.
-
- USES
-
- Amoxicillin antibiotic is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial
- infections, including infections in the middle ear, skin, upper and lower
- respiratory tracts, and urinary tract. Amoxicillin acts by severely injuring
- the cell walls of the infecting bacteria, thereby preventing them from growing
- and multiplying.
- Amoxicillin kills susceptible bacteria but is not effective against
- viruses, parasites, or fungi.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- Amoxicillin can be taken either on an empty stomach or with food or milk
- (in order to prevent stomach upset).
- The suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just before
- measuring each dose. The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle,
- so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly
- and equalize the doses. Each dose should then be measured carefully with a
- specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon or the 1-ml dropper provided, as
- directed by your doctor or pharmacist. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not
- accurate enough.
- It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
- prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms of
- infection disappear before the end of that period. If you stop taking the
- drug too soon, resistant bacteria are given the chance to continue growing,
- and the infection could recur.
- Amoxicillin works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is
- kept constant. It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced
- intervals day and night. For example, if you are to take three doses a day,
- the doses should be spaced eight hours apart.
- If you miss a dose of this drug, take the missed dose immediately.
- However, if you don't remember to take the missed dose until it is almost time
- for your next dose, take it; space the next dose about halfway through the
- regular interval between doses; then return to your regular schedule. Do not
- skip any doses.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting. These side effects should
- disappear as your body adjusts to the drug.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- bloating, chills, cough, darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, fever,
- irritation of the mouth, muscle aches, rash, rectal or vaginal itching, severe
- or bloody diarrhea, or sore throat. Also, if your symptoms of infection seem
- to be getting worse rather than improving, you should contact your doctor.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Amoxicillin interacts with other types of medications:
- 1. Probenecid can increase the blood concentration of this medication.
- 2. Amoxicillin may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
- (birth control pills), and pregnancy could result. You should, therefore, use
- a different or additional form of birth control while taking this medication.
- Discuss this with your doctor.
- 3. The concurrent use of amoxicillin and allopurinol can increase the
- risk of developing a rash.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to amoxicillin, ampicillin, or penicillin or to
- cephalosporin antibiotics, penicillamine, or griseofulvin.
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney
- disease, asthma, or allergies.
- * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
- Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
- different medicine. You should not give your medicine to other people or use
- it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
- * Diabetics taking amoxicillin should know that this drug may cause a
- false-positive sugar reaction with a Clinitest urine glucose test. To avoid
- this problem while taking amoxicillin, you should switch to Clinistix or
- Tes-Tape to test your urine for sugar.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although amoxicillin
- appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been
- conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small
- amounts of this medication pass into breast milk and may temporarily alter the
- bacterial balance in the intestinal tract of the nursing infant, resulting in
- diarrhea.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-