When people ask a question like: What is amoxicillin used for? It means they don’t really know much about the medication and implies that they want to know more about it. The question also implies that they may be interested in using the medicine if they are suddenly invaded by bacterial infections and would like to know all about amoxicillin so they can use it effectively. Let’s help them along.

An general introduction to amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is a naturally produced antibiotic that actively engages and destroys bacteria that causes infections such as urinary tract infection or UTIs, pneumonia, dental abscesses and chest infections.

It’s also used in children who suffer from ear infections and infections of the chest.

Amoxicillin is only given to patients on prescription and comes in two forms, a capsule that your swallow or as a liquid which you drink. It can also be given by injection but this treatment is offered only in a hospital.

Important key facts about amoxicillin

• Amoxil. Is the brand name for Amoxicillin
• It’s permissible to drink alcohol while you’re taking amoxicillin.
• For most of the infections that occur, sufferers usually get better in a few days.
• Two of the main side effects that amoxicillin produces are nausea or feeling sick and diarrhea.
• Your teeth can be stained by amoxicillin but fortunately, but doesn’t last long and it can be removed by brushing your teeth.

Are there any rules about who can and cannot take amoxicillin?

Adults are permitted to take amoxicillin as well as women who are pregnant and breastfeeding

Children can also take amoxicillin

However some people aren’t suitable for taking amoxicillin. It you want to be absolutely sure that amoxicillin is safe for you to take, you should tell your doctor if:

• you’ve ever shown allergic reaction to amoxicillin or penicillin or any medicines you took in the past.
• You’re suffering from liver or kidney problems.
• You’ve recently been vaccinated or are about to be.

The method and time for taking amoxicillin

The most important thing to remembers about the your role in taking amoxicillin is you should continue taking the medication until the end of the course.

This must be the case even if you feel better after a short time after taking the medication.

It’s possible that if you stop your treatment before it ends, the infection may likely return to.

How to take amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is available in capsule or liquid form and sometimes it can be given as an injection but only in hospitals.

The amoxicillin capsules are swallowed with the aid of a glass of water. Don’t chew or break the capsule before swallowing them.

Amoxicillin is also available in liquid from especially for children and for people who have difficulty in swallowing tablets.

If you and/or your child are taking the medication in liquid form, it will most likely be prepared for you by your pharmacist.

Normally the medication will include a plastic syringe or spoon to help you in measuring out an accurate dose.

In the absence of a syringe or spoon from your pharmacist, you should refrain from using an ordinary kitchen spoon because the measurement will be incorrect.

What if I forget to take a dose?

When that happens, you should take it as soon as you remember it, but be careful not to do so if your next dose is very close. If that happens, forget about your missed dose and take your normal next dose.

Never take 2 doses at the same time just for the heck of it and never take an additional dose to make up for the one you forgot to take.

To avoid missing doses, it would help if you set an alarm to remind you when to take your dose. Your pharmacist may be able with other means to help you remember when to take your medication.

What should you do if you take too much?

It isn’t likely that anything serious will happen from taking an extra dose such as harm to yourself or to your child.

Nevertheless you should speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you’re worried about taking more than 1 extra dose.

The side effects of Amoxicillin

The side effects for amoxicillin may be categorized into two groups, namely common side effects and serious side effects.

Common side effects

Common side effects that result from taking amoxicillin happen to 1 in every 10 people who take the medication.

If you’re taking the treatment, you should continue doing so but you should talk to your doctor or online pharmacist if the side effects listed below become bothersome or just won’t leave you alone:

• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Diarrhea

Serious side effects

Similar to the common side effects, these more serious ones affect less than 1 in every 10 persons. You are advised to immediately call a doctor if you experience:

• a skin rash surrounded by circular red patches
• diarrhea (can be accompanied by stomach cramps) that contains mucus or blood. You should speak to a doctor or your online pharmacist if the diarrhea is severe and you’ve had it for more than 4 days in a row.
• skin bruising or discloloration
• muscle or joint pains that occur 2 days after taking the amoxicillin medication
• pale faeces and dark urine, a yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes which are warning signs of liver or gallbladder issues.

Allergic responses and complications

Allergic reaction to amoxicillin happens to about 1 in 15 people. For most of the reported cases the allergic reaction were mild and usually appear as:

• wheezing
• a raised, itchy skin rash
• coughing

The mild allergic reactions can be successfully treated with antihistamines. However, in very rare cases, amoxicillin can result in a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

Conclusion

All drug treatments result in some side effects, some of them of very low to mild intensity while others  are of moderate to serious intensity. Its very simple to answer the question: What is amoxicillin used for, however, what happens after it has been used can become very serious issues for those using the medication. We have learned discussed many of them and it’s certainly hoped that those who read the content have learned a lot about amoxicillin and the resulting issues that emerge in people as a result of using the medication.