Amoxicillin: What to Know Before You Take It
Also sold as Amoxil, Moxatag
What Amoxicillin Is Used For
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Adults and Pediatric Patients Upper Respiratory Tract Infections of the Ear, Nose, and Throat: Amoxicillin tablets are indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase-negative) isolates of Streptococcus species. (α- and β-hemolytic isolates only), Streptococcus pneumoniae , Staphylococcus spp., or Haemophilus influenzae . Infections of the Genitourinary Tract: Amoxicillin tablets are indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase–negative) isolates of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis , or Enterococcus faecalis . Infections of the Skin and Skin Structure: Amoxicillin tablets are indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase–negative) isolates of Streptococcus spp. (α- and β-hemolytic isolates only), Staphylococcus spp., or E. coli . Infections of the Lower Respiratory Tract: Amoxicillin tablets are indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase–negative) isolates of Streptococcus spp. (α- and β-hemolytic isolates only), S. pneumoniae, Staphylococcus spp., or H. influenzae . Adult Patients only Helicobacter pylori Infection and Duodenal Ulcer Disease: Triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with clarithromycin and lansoprazole: Amoxicillin tablets, in combination with clarithromycin plus lansoprazole as triple therapy, are indicated for the treatment of patients with H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease (active or 1-year history of a duodenal ulcer) to eradicate H. pylori . Eradication of H. pylori has been shown to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence. Dual therapy for H. pylori with lansoprazole : Amoxicillin tablets, in combination with lansoprazole delayed-release capsules as dual therapy, are indicated for the treatment of patients with H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease (active or 1-year history of a duodenal ulcer) who are either allergic or intolerant to clarithromycin or in whom resistance to clarithromycin is known or suspected . (See the clarithromycin package insert, MICROBIOLOGY.) Eradication of H. pylori has been shown to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence. Usage To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of amoxicillin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, amoxicillin tablets should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. Amoxicillin tablets are a penicillin-class antibacterial indicated for treatment of infections due to susceptible strains of designated microorganisms. ( 1 ) Adults and Pediatric Patients ( 1 ) Upper Respiratory Tract Infections of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Infections of the Genitourinary Tract Infections of the Skin and Skin Structure Infections of the Lower Respiratory Tract Adult Patients only ( 1 ) Helicobacter pylori Infection and Duodenal Ulcer Disease Usage To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of amoxicillin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, amoxicillin tablets should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria. ( 1 )
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Anaphylactic reactions: Serious and occasionally fatal anaphylactic reactions have been reported in patients on penicillin therapy, including amoxicillin. Discontinue amoxicillin if a reaction occurs ( 5.1 ). Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR): Monitor closely. Discontinue if rash progresses. ( 5.2 ) Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) (ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis): Evaluate if diarrhea occurs. ( 5.3 ) 5.1 Anaphylactic Reactions Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients on penicillin therapy including amoxicillin. Although anaphylaxis is more frequent following parenteral therapy, it has occurred in patients on oral penicillins. These reactions are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. There have been reports of individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity who have experienced severe reactions when treated with cephalosporins. Before initiating therapy with amoxicillin, careful inquiry should be made regarding previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other allergens. If an allergic reaction occurs, amoxicillin should be discontinued, and appropriate therapy instituted. 5.2 Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions Amoxicillin may cause severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR), such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). If patients develop skin rash they should be monitored closely, and amoxicillin discontinued if lesions progress. 5.3 Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) Clostridioides difficile- associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including amoxicillin, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile. C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin-producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over 2 months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated. 5.4 Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria Prescribing amoxicillin in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria. 5.5 Skin Rash in Patients with Mononucleosis A high percentage of patients with mononucleosis who receive amoxicillin develop an erythematous skin rash. Thus, amoxicillin should not be administered to patients with mononucleosis.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Amoxicillin tablets are contraindicated in patients who have experienced a serious hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to amoxicillin tablets or to other β-lactam antibacterial drugs (e.g., penicillins and cephalosporins). History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to amoxicillin tablets or to other beta-lactams (e.g., penicillins or cephalosporins). (4)
Amoxicillin Drug Interactions (6)
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Most-Reported Side Effects
Based on 99,955 reports in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports do not prove the drug caused the effect.
Explore full Amoxicillin safety data in our free FDA Safety Explorer
FDA Recalls (10)
cGMP deviations: Temperature abuse
Recalling firm: Mckesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Corporate Office
CGMP Deviations: Products were exposed to temperatures outside of the products labeled storage conditions.
Recalling firm: CARDINAL HEALTHCARE
CGMP Deviations: Products were exposed to temperatures outside of the products labeled storage conditions.
Recalling firm: CARDINAL HEALTHCARE
Presence of Foreign Substance: Customer complaint of a foreign substance identified as nylon cable tie
Recalling firm: AuroMedics Pharma LLC
Subpotent Drug; Clavulanic Acid
Recalling firm: Sandoz Inc
Labeling: Label Error on Declared Strength: Some bottles miss a color coded panel where the strength of the product is typically displayed.
Recalling firm: West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Superpotent drug: Out of specification test result for assay during stability testing.
Recalling firm: Teva North America
Discoloration: This recall is being carried out due to an orange to brown discolored Amoxicillin powder on the inner foil seal of the bottles. This is an expansion of RES 65050.
Recalling firm: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
Discoloration: This recall is being carried out due to a yellow to brown discolored Amoxicillin powder on the inner foil seal of the bottles.
Recalling firm: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
Presence of Foreign Substance, Sandoz is recalling certain lots of Amoxicillin Capsules, USP 500 mg due to potential contamination with fragments of stainless steel wire mesh.
Recalling firm: Sandoz Incorporated
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.