Amoxil
Buy Amoxil online
Amoxicillin is a penicillin-derived antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections and prevent infection during or after surgery. Discovered in 1958, it is the 18th most prescribed medication in the US in 2019. It is also a part of the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines.
Amoxicillin is known under the brand name Amoxil in the United States, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKlein. Besides Amoxil, there exist over 500 other brands and manufacturers of this medication. There is also a combination drug containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, used to fight amoxicillin-resistant bacteria that produce beta-lactamase. It is marketed under the brand names of Augmentin and Clavulin, among others.
When to Take Amoxil?
Amoxicillin is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections including the following:
- Infections of the throat, tonsils, sinuses and middle ear caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Hemophilus influenzae;
- Chronic bronchitis and pneumonia caused by the abovementioned bacterial pathogens;
- Tonsillitis, sinusitis and throat irritation;
- Inflammation of the stomach lining, duodenal and peptic ulcers due to Helicobacter pylori infection;
- Skin, genital and urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli;
- Skin infections due to Streptococcus;
- Genital and urinary tract infections caused by Proteus and Enterococcus bacteria;
- Lower respiratory tract infections;
- Anthrax β treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis;
- Typhoid fever;
- Lyme disease;
- Fever of unknown nature in children.
The medication is also prescribed to patients awaiting heart surgery to prevent bacterial infection of the heart valve during the manipulations.
When NOT to Take Amoxil?
Amoxicillin must be avoided by people allergic to it, other penicillin antibiotics or cephalosporins. 10% of the population have penicillin allergy but it is known to weaken and eventually disappear over time.
Amoxicillin is only used to fight bacterial infections and is ineffective against common cold, flu and other conditions caused by viruses.
Patients with severe renal impairment including those undergoing dialysis require dosage adjustments when treated with amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin should not be given to patients with mononucleosis due to high risk of developing skin rashes.
How Does Amoxil Work?
Amoxicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that works by destroying the walls of the bacterial cells and, consequently, killing them. There are strains of bacteria that developed resistance to amoxicillin by producing penicillinase enzyme, but are still susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination drugs.
How to Use Amoxil
Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to fight conditions caused by different bacteria. The treatment regimen will vary depending on the condition being treated. Itβs important to take amoxicillin as directed by the doctor. Correct dosage, regularity and duration of treatment must be observed.
Common regimens for the treatment of different conditions in adults and children weighing over 40 kg/88 lbs. are described in the table below.
| Condition | Severity of the condition | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild to moderate | Severe | ||
|
500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours | 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours | |
| Lower respiratory tract infection | 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours | ||
| Lyme disease | 500 mg every 8 hours | ||
| Lyme disease | 500 mg every 8 hours | ||
| H. pylori infection (dual therapy with lansoprazole) | 1 g every 8 hours | ||
| H. pylori infection (triple therapy with clarithromycin and lansoprazole) | 1 g every 12 hours | ||
| Prophylaxis of infection before heart valve surgery | 2 g 30-60 minutes before surgery | ||
| Post-exposure prophylaxis of anthrax | 500 mg every 8 hours | ||
Serious infections, such as late stage Lyme disease, require higher doses. The maximum recommended dosage for amoxicillin is 6 g per day.
Amoxil Side Effects
Severe side effects are rare but must be reported to the doctor immediately once experienced by the patient. These include:
- Severe allergic reaction β trouble breathing, swelling of the face and tongue, skin rash, hives or blisters;
- Severe diarrhea with bleeding;
- Seizures or convulsions;
- Jaundice β yellowing of the skin or eye whites;
- Dark, cloudy or bloody urine;
- Trouble passing urine;
- Pale feces.
Common side effects of amoxicillin include the following:
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- Stomach upset;
- Headache;
- Skin rash;
- Vaginal yeast infection;
- Changes in the perception of taste.
Less common side effects of Amoxil are as follows:
- Dizziness and vertigo;
- Trouble sleeping;
- Bloating;
- Bleeding from the gums, nose;
- Pain in the back, stomach, joints or limbs;
- Inflammation of the joints;
- Cough;
- Fever and chills;
- Tachycardia;
- Migraine;
- Canker sores;
- Sore throat;
- Increased feeling of thirst;
- Unpleasant odor from the mouth;
- Increased tiredness, sleepiness;
- Tightness in the chest.
Where and How to Get Amoxil?
Amoxicillin is a prescription-only medication in the United States. There are online pharmacies that sell it without prescription but these are mostly located abroad. In order to buy Amoxil or generic amoxicillin from a domestic pharmacy, a US-based patient will need a prescription issued by either a doctor or a licensed telemedicine service provider.
Available Amoxil Forms and Strengths
Brand-name Amoxil is offered as oral capsules, tablets and powder for oral suspension. The following strengths are available for each of the 3 dosage forms:
- Capsules: 250mg and 500mg;
- Tablets: 500mg, 875mg;
- Powder for oral suspension: 125mg/5 ml, 200mg/5 ml, 250mg/5 ml, 500mg/5 ml.
Generic amoxicillin comes in several other dosage forms in addition to the ones named above. There are extended release tablets, chewable tablets and powder for solution for injection or infusion. The strengths range between 125mg and 1000mg per dose.
Sources:
- The list of top 200 most prescribed drugs in the US - https://clincalc.com/DrugStats/
- World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines - https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/325771/WHO-MVP-EMP-IAU-2019.06-eng.pdf
- Amoxicillin brand names and manufacturers - http://www.antimicrobe.org/drugpopup/Amoxicillin%20-%20Brand%20names.htm
- Penicillin allergy - https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/penicillin-allergy-faq
- Amoxicillin regimen for the treatment of late stage Lyme disease - https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/suppl/2018/04/12/bmj.k1261.DC1/crum090318.wi.pdf
- Amoxil legal status in the US - https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=062216