Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug which has been developed by the British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline and approved by FDA in 1972. The drug is produced under different trade names: brand Amoxil, Augmentin, Amox, and others.
Amoxicillin is a bactericidal antibiotic of the broad action. A lot of bacteria are treatable by it: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Salmonella, E. coli and many other Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms.
The pharmacological action of Amoxicillinhappens by means of the ability of the active metabolites of the drug to break the ingredients of the bacteria cellular wall. Due to this, they lose a resistance to the protective functions of the body and die.
A value of Amoxicillin consists in its high pharmacological safety. The antibiotic is prescribed adults and children. The correct dose helps to cope with any infectious process:
- respiratory tract and HENT: angina, bronchitis, otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia
- urinary tract: cystitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis, endometritis
- Gastrointestinal tract: salmonellosis, cholecystitis, dysentery
- Other infections: meningitis, gonorrhea, helicobacter infection
- Skin and soft tissues: dermatitis, erysipelas, and others.
In what dose is Amoxicillin used?
A therapeutic dose of Amoxicillin depends on several factors: age and body weight of a patient, site and severity of the infection, functioning of organs taking part in metabolism of Amoxicillin. Therefore, a physician should prescribe an effective dose.
If there are not special recommendations, children over 10 years old and adults are prescribed a standard dose regimen:
- If infections of moderate severity, a pill of Amoxicillin 500 mg is prescribed 3 times per day within 5-10 days
- If severe infections, Amoxicillin is prescribed in the dose of 750-1000 mg 3 times per day within 5-10 days
- If gonorrhea, men should take a one-time dose of Amoxicillin 3000 mg, and women are recommended to take additionally 3000 mg in 5 days
Children under 10 years old are prescribed the following dose:
- Children at the age of 5-10 are prescribed 250 mg 3 times per day
- Children at the age of 2-5 are prescribed 125 mg 3 times per day
- Bacteriostatic antibiotics reduce the antibacterial effect of Amoxicillin. Therefore, if you are prescribed a combined therapy, make sure that another drug has bactericidal characteristics
- Amoxicillin may be used during pregnancy and breast-feeding (lactation) only if a potential benefit exceeds a risk from the use of the drug
- If stomach ulcer and/or inflammatory diseases of the intestine, Amoxicillin may be used only after the reduction of the main symptoms of these diseases
- A daily dose of Amoxicillin should be lowered by 30-50% in patients with hepatic failure
The side effects of Amoxicillin include allergy, dyspeptic disorders, candidiasis of vagina or mouth cavity, increased heart rate, and dizziness.
The side effects of Amoxicillin appear during the use of high doses, or individual intolerance of the tablets. If you experience a physiological discomfort, inform your doctor about it.