LoginAmoxil Adult Preparations
Generic Name: amoxycillin trihydrate
Product Name: Amoxil Adult Preparations
Indication: What Amoxil Adult Preparations are used for
Amoxil is used to treat a range of infections caused by bacteria. These may be infections of the chest (pneumonia), tonsils (tonsillitis), sinuses (sinusitis), urinary and genital tract, skin and fleshy tissues.
Your doctor may have prescribed Amoxil for another reason.
There is no evidence that Amoxil is addictive.
Action: How Amoxil Adult Preparations work
Amoxil contains a penicillin called amoxicillin (as trihydrate) as the active ingredient. Amoxil belongs to a group of medicines called penicillins.
Amoxicilllin works by killing the bacteria that cause these infections. It can also be used to prevent infection.
Amoxicillin is active in vitro against most strains of Haemophilus influenzae*, Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, Neisseria meningitidis, Escherichia coli*, Proteus mirabilis* and Salmonellae.
*Activity refers only to betalactamase negative strains.
Because amoxicillin does not resist destruction by penicillinase, it is not active against penicillinase-producing organisms, particularly penicillinase-producing staphylococci. All strains of Pseudomonas species, Klebsiella species, Enterobacter species, indole-positive Proteus species, Serratia marcescens, Citrobacter species, penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae and penicillinase-producing H. influenzae are resistant.
In vitro studies have demonstrated the susceptibility of most strains of the following gram-positive bacteria: alpha- and beta-haemolytic streptococci, Diplococcus pneumoniae, non-penicillinase producing staphylococci and Streptococcus faecalis. These organisms are susceptible to amoxicillin at serum concentrations, which may be expected following the recommended doses. However, some of the organisms were susceptible to amoxicillin only at concentrations achieved in the urine.
Escherichia coli isolates are becoming increasingly resistant to amoxicillin in vitro due to the presence of penicillinase-producing strains.
Strains of gonococci which are relatively resistant to benzylpenicillin may be sensitive to amoxicillin.
All Amoxil preparations contain the active ingredient amoxicillin (as trihydrate).
Amoxil capsules also contain the inactive ingredient magnesium stearate and talc. The capsule shells are made of gelatin and contain the colouring agents erythrosine, indigo carmine, iron oxide yellow, titanium dioxide and Opacode White A-R 9658.
Amoxil syrup sachets contain the inactive ingredients disodium edetate, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, xanthan gum, ammonium glycyrrhizinate, sucrose, lemon trusil flavour (16-8162), strawberry trusil flavour (17-8729), and peach trusil flavour (17- 3449).
Amoxil preparations do not contain lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Dose advice: How to use Amoxil Adult Preparations
Before you take Amoxil
Do not take Amoxil if
You are allergic to penicillin or similar types of antibiotics such as cephalosporins. If you have ever had an allergic reaction (such as a rash) when taking an antibiotic you should tell your doctor before you take Amoxil.
You have ever had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin or any of the ingredients listed here.
The expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
The packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Tell your doctor if
You are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines.
You have ever had an allergic reaction (such as a rash) to any antibiotics in the past.
You have glandular fever (mononucleosis) or a blood disorder.
You are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or are breastfeeding. Amoxil may be used during pregnancy (Australian Use in Pregnancy Category A). Amoxil can pass to your baby from breast milk.
You have liver or kidney problems. The dosage of Amoxil may need to be changed or you may need to be given an alternative medicine.
You are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Medicines used to treat gout e.g. probenecid or allopurinol;
- The contraceptive pill. As with other antibiotics, you may need to use extra birth control methods e.g. condoms;
- Other antibiotics. These may interfere with the actions of Amoxil;
- Anticoagulants (used to prevent blood clots) such as warfarin.
Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you which medicines are safe to take with Amoxil.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you take any Amoxil.
How to take Amoxil
Follow your doctor’s instructions about how and when to take Amoxil. Your doctor will advise how many doses are needed each day, and for how long you will need to take Amoxil.
Please read the direction label carefully. If you have any concerns about how to take Amoxil, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
How much Amoxil to take
Take Amoxil as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
The usual dose of Amoxil is one dose taken three times a day. If your doctor has prescribed the Amoxil 3g sachet, this is taken as a single dose.
How to take Amoxil
Swallow Amoxil 250mg and 500mg capsules whole with a glass of water.
To prepare the Amoxil 3g syrup sachet, the powder from the sachet is emptied into a glass. The empty sachet is then half filled with water (approximately 50mL) and this is added to the powder in the glass. Stir the medicine thoroughly before drinking. The dose should be taken immediately after preparation.
Space the doses as evenly as possible throughout the day. For example, if you are taking Amoxil three times a day, take a dose about every eight hours.
Amoxil can be taken with or without food. The effects of Amoxil are not changed by food.
How long to take Amoxil for
Keep taking Amoxil until the course is finished or for as long as your doctor tells you.
Do not stop taking Amoxil just because you feel better as the infection can return.
Do not stop taking Amoxil or change the dose without first checking with your doctor.
If you forget to take Amoxil
If you forget to take a dose of Amoxil, take it as soon as you remember. Then go back to taking it as directed by your doctor.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you have missed. Do not take two doses within an hour or so of each other. Taking more than the prescribed dose can increase the chance of unwanted side effects.
If you take too much (overdose)
If you (or someone else) has taken a large amount of Amoxil all at once, give plenty of water to drink and immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 131126) for advice, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Amoxil, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital.
While you are taking Amoxil
Things you must do
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as directed. Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not working as it should and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist you are taking Amoxil before starting any other prescribed medicine. Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work.
If you develop itching, swelling or a skin rash when you are taking Amoxil, do not take any more Amoxil and tell your doctor at once.
If you develop severe diarrhoea when taking Amoxil, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Do not take any medication to stop the diarrhoea (e.g. Lomotil or Imodium).
Things you must not do
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use Amoxil to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Amoxil affects you.
Storage
Keep your medication in the pack until it is time to take them.
Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it, such as in a locked cupboard.
Keep the pack in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25° C. Do not leave it in the car on a hot day. Do not store medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Return any unused or expired medicine to your pharmacist.
Schedule of Amoxil Adult Preparations
Amoxil Adult Preparations is a Schedule 4 (prescription only) medicine.
Side effects of Amoxil Adult Preparations
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you think you are experiencing any side effects or allergic reactions due to taking Amoxil, even if the problem is not listed below. Like other medicines, Amoxil can cause some side-effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Mild effects
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following that is troublesome or ongoing:
- Diarrhoea (several loose bowel movements per day), indigestion, feeling sick or being sick;
- Soreness of the mouth or tongue;
- Overgrowth of yeast infections (thrush).
More serious effects
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Itching, rash;
- Unusual bleeding or bruising;
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- Dark urine or pale stools;
- Difficulty or pain in passing urine;
- Severe diarrhoea.
Stop taking Amoxil and contact your doctor or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital if any of the following happens:
- Wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hayfever, lumpy rash (hives) or fainting. These could be symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Remember you should tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these, or any other unusual events or problems occur during or after treatment with Amoxil.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any side effects from your medicine which are not mentioned here.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
For further information talk to your doctor.
References
Dates
Tags
Created by:
