Amoxil is an antibiotic (class of penicillin’s or aminopenicillin group) manufactured by Glaxosmithkline (United Kingdom trademark Amoxil), prescribed by a physician for the treatment of various bacterial infections, including: middle ear infection (Otitis), gonorrhea, skin infections, upper and lower respiratory tract infections (pneomonia), bronchitis, tonsillitis, and infections of the genital (herpes) and urinary tract. Also, prescribed before some surgery, dental work (Treating a dental abscess, when the nerve of a tooth has been infected) or preventing infection. Amoxicillin compared to the original antibiotic Penicillin, combats more bacteria infections, and better able to resist stomach acid. Amoxil is one of the most popular used prescription drugs in the United States. The medication could be combined with other drugs, such as Prevacid and Biaxin, for treating duodenal ulcers caused by bacteria (Recommended dosage: One gram of Amoxil in combination with 500 milligrams of Biaxin, and 30 milligrams of Prevacid, taken every 12 to 14 hours. Alternatively, one gram of Amoxil taken with 30 milligrams of Prevacid every eight hours for 14 days). Amoxil can be taken with or without food.
The generic name is amoxicillin (trihydtrate/sodium), and other brand names are Trimox, and Wymox. Amoxicillin is available in a variety of forms, including Pedatric drops, oral suspension (children), chewable tablets, capsules and tablets. Liquid amoxicillion is given to those patients, being feed through a tube. However, before administering the liquid, the feeding tube must be flushed. Also, injectable amoxicillin is administered for serious infections or when medicine can’t be taken by mouth. Capsule Amoxicillin should be stored at or below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and store tables at or below 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Store Amoxil suspension in the refrigerator for longer use, but kept no longer than fourteen days. Taking the medication has no restrictions with food, beverage or experiencing activities, unless directed by the patient’s doctor.
Amoxicillin works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to form cell walls. These cell walls are vital keeping the bacteria alive. Antibiotic keeps unwanted substance from entering the cells, and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. Amoxicillin impairs the bonds that hold the bacterial cell wall together. Eventually holes appear, in the cell walls and kills the bacteria. A doctor may take a tissue sample, by swabbing an area from the throat or skin or take a sample of the patient’s urine or blood, and test if the bacteria will be susceptible to amoxicillin.
Lyme Disease is most commonly reported as tick-home illness, seen mostly in northeast, upper mideast and the Pacific coast. The disease causes inflammation, appears as a rash that can lead to neurologic (nervous system), heart or joint problems, weeks to months later. Majority of case reports are from Massachusetts, Maryland, Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, and Oregon. Children and young adults, living in a wooded area, are more perceptible to contract Lyme disease. Seasonally, during the summer and early fall, Lyme disease can affect the population. Amoxil (amoxicillin) is one of the many treatments available, for children that have contracted Lyme disease. The recommended dosage for children: Prescribed 250 milligrams taken three times a day for 10 to 21 days. Preferable the medication is taken with food, reduces the chance of stomach upset.
Side affects maybe experienced taking Amoxil. Anyone allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics should consult their physician, before taking this medication. Also, anyone that has kidney, stomach or intestinal diseases, their body may not tolerate this medication or require an adjusted dosage. This medication is not advisable to take, along with tetracycline antibiotics. Patients taking amoxicillin, should avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer and liquor), making the infection more difficult to treat. Diabetics taking Amoxil may cause false test results with some urine glucose tests. Furthermore, side effects may include, experiencing difficulty breathing or tightness of chest, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, develop a rash (Rash developing on a child may not be related taking this medication) or hives. If any of these symptoms develop, discontinue the medication, until advised further, by a physician. Anyone overdosing on Amoxil symptoms includes: Vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Immediately contact or visit your doctor, local poison control or emergency room.
According to Food and Drug Administration, Amoxil is listed pregnancy category ‘B,’ means not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby or considered safe use during pregnancy. However, your doctor should be notified if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant or become pregnant, before or during the time, taking the medication. This may alter a physician, prescribing the medication or monitoring the patient more carefully. If a woman is taking Amoxil, she should notify her doctor, before breast feeing. The medication has been known to pass through breast milk, and allergic reaction in nursing infant has been noted, without any serious harmful affects. However, the medication can cause yeast infection, and diarrhea. Women taking birth control pills, the medication may decrease the effectiveness of the pills, and advisable to use additional form of birth control.
Amoxil should be taken as prescribed unless other wise advised. Adult dosage usually taken or regiment, for amoxicillin are 250 mg (milligrams), every eight hours, 500 mg every 8 hours or 500 mg every twelve hours or 875 mg every 12 hours, depending on the type and severity of infection. Children prescribed amoxicillin under 18 pounds, take the oral liquid. Children taking generic amoxicillion experience a bubble gum taste and others think the brand name Amoxil tastes better. Infants or newborns, under three months of age, are given lower dosage of Amoxil (30mg/kg/d), than older children. Common pediatric infections, including ear infections or sinusitis tend to be treated by Amoxil, as the first choice by experts. Starting the medication dosage, remembering evenly spaced intervals, throughout the day and night or best taken at the same time each day. During this time, keeps the level of medication high enough in the blood treating the infection. Chewable tablets should be chewed or crushed thoroughly, before swallowing. Amoxil suspension should be shaken well, before administering. Capsules should be swallowed whole and never crushed or opened. Correctly measure the liquid form of amoxicillin, with a dose measuring spoon or cup. Missing a prescribed dosage is not a serious problem, and can be rectified by the following method. When taking two doses a day, take the one missed, and the next dose five to six hours later. When taking two or three doses a day, take the one missed, and the next dose two to four hours later. Then return to the regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of the medication, unless advised by a physician, and do not use the medication, after the expiration date on the bottle or otherwise printed. Patients treated with Amoxil for infection, such as strep throat, should continue taking the entire amount, as prescribed. If the medication is discontinued sooner then prescribed, despite feeling better, other infections such as glomerulonephritis (a kidney infection) or rheumatic fever could develop.
In 2005, Liang Hong, DDS, MS, PHD, of the University of Iowa and colleagues, had shown test results that Amoxicillin used for treating pediatric patients for ottis (infection and inflammation of the middle ear), showed evidence linking those patients, having dental fluorosis (A result of exposure to excessive fluoride during enamal formation or enamal defects. Teeth impacted by fluorosis have visible discloration, ranging from white spots to brown and black stains. This can cause bone fracture), on permanent first molars and maxillary central incisors. The study examined 579 participants from birth to 32 months, using questionnaires every three months to four months. These participants by the age of one, three quarters of them, had used amoxicillin. By 32 months, ninety-one percent of participants had used this medication. The authors of the study concluded: “While the results of this one study do not warrant recommendations to cease use of amoxicillin early in life, they do further highlight the need to use antibiotics judiciously, particularly during infancy.”
Animals or pets can be treated with amoxicillin. Amoxicillin and Clavuanate synergistically work together treating bacterial infections in animals. However, not recommended for use in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the medication. Dogs should be given food prior to administering the combination of these medications, which can prevent stomach upset, approximately ten percent of cases. Commonly, the combination of Amoxicillin and Clavuanate, given to animals is a ratio of five to one. Animals are generally treated with amoxicillin (doxycycline), for Lyme disease. Symptoms of Lyme disease in animals are similar to symptoms in humans, except a skin rash not seen on pets. Amoxicillin should never be given to rabbits, since their reaction may cause death, from this medication. Other types of antibiotics work effectively treating rabbits, including Tetracycline. A puppy bitten by a rattlesnake can survive, if treated with amoxicillin.
