Generic amoxicillin

What is Amoxil?

Amoxil is an antibiotic in the penicillin group of drugs. It fights bacteria in your body.Amoxil is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as ear infections, bladder infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea, and E. coli or salmonella infection. Amoxil is also sometimes used together with another antibiotic called clarithromycin (Biaxin) to treat stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. This combination is sometimes used with a stomach acid reducer called lansoprazole (Prevacid).

Amoxil may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Amoxil?

Before using Amoxil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others), or if you have:

• asthma;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
• mononucleosis (also called “mono”);
• a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or
• a history of any type of allergy.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Amoxil.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Amoxil can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking Amoxil, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills. Amoxil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The Amoxil chewable tablet may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of Amoxil if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take Amoxil?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

If you are taking Amoxil with clarithromycin and/or lansoprazole to treat stomach ulcer, use all of your medications as directed. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

You may take Amoxil with or without food.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What should I avoid while taking Amoxil?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What are the possible side effects of Amoxil?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
• seizure (black-out or convulsions).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• vaginal itching or discharge;
• headache;
• swollen, black, or “hairy” tongue; or
• thrush (white patches inside your mouth or throat).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.