Amoxicillin Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What is the biggest side effect of amoxicillin? ›

Side effects of amoxicillin are typically mild, and include gastrointestinal issues like upset stomach and diarrhea as well as headache, rash, abnormal taste, and vagin*l yeast infections. Less common side effects like allergic reactions, breathing problems, and seizures have also been recorded.

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.

Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that's commonly prescribed for bacterial infections. It's available with a prescription from your healthcare provider. Amoxicillin can interact with medications like warfarin, allopurinol, and probenecid. It may also interact with alcohol and some live vaccines.

Amoxicillin belongs to the group of medicines known as penicillin antibiotics. It works by killing the bacteria and preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Nausea is one of the most common amoxicillin side effects. But it's usually mild when it happens. Taking it with food can help lessen or prevent this unpleasant side effect. There are also over-the-counter (OTC) medications available to help manage nausea, such as Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) and Bonine (meclizine).

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking amoxicillin and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: rash. skin blisters or peeling.

Amoxicillin typically stays in your system for 8 to 12 hours after your most recent dose. It's possible to continue experiencing some effects of amoxicillin after you stop taking the drug, especially during this 8-hour to 12-hour period.

While many medications can be taken at the same time as amoxicillin safely, there are several medications that can have potentially serious negative outcomes when taken with amoxicillin. These include anticoagulants, the live typhoid vaccine, allopurinol, probenecid and methotrexate, which is an antimetabolite.

Certain antibacterials, such as chloramphenicol, macrolides (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin), sulfonamides (e.g., Bactrim), and tetracyclines (e.g., Sumycin, doxycycline), may interfere with and reduce the bactericidal effects of amoxicillin.

Can you drink coffee with amoxicillin? ›

Key takeaways. You can drink coffee or other caffeine products while taking amoxicillin. Because caffeine can cause dehydration, stick to a moderate amount of caffeine while you are taking amoxicillin—and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Take amoxicillin for the full prescribed duration of treatment.

Amoxicillin may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.

There are no broad-spectrum oral antibiotics similar to amoxicillin available over the counter. The only antibiotic options available without a prescription are topical preparations for minor skin lacerations.

Furthermore, the influence of dairy consumption on the effectiveness of antibiotics has been researched. It's recommended that dairy products such as cheese, milk, butter, and yogurt should not be consumed until 3 hours after a dose of antibiotics is taken.

Antibiotics can disrupt the normal balance of healthy bacteria in the gut and irritate the stomach and esophagus. This can lead to antibiotic-associated nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach. Foods high in fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics can help you relieve nausea and upset stomach from antibiotics.

True allergic reactions to amoxicillin are mediated by the immune system and are classified into immediate (developing within 30 to 60 minutes of drug ingestion) or non-immediate (beyond 1 hour of ingestion) type reactions [6, 7].

Mechanism of Action

Absorption: Amoxicillin exhibits stability in the presence of gastric acid and is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with average peak blood levels typically reached within 1 to 2 hours.