How to Use

To ensure the safe use of Amoxicillin, let your doctor know if you have a history or suffer from any of these conditions:

• Kidney or liver disease
• Asthma
• History of diarrhea that is caused by using antibiotics
• Mononucleosis
• Drug or food allergies
• Your full medical history

If you are being treated for gonorrhea, the doctor may have to test you for syphilis and any other STDs.

Take Amoxicillin exactly as prescribed. Do not take smaller or larger doses than recommended or for longer periods than directed. For the best results, take the dose at the same time each day.

If you are using the Moxatag brand, you need to take it with food or within an hour after eating. Some forms of this drug can be taken with or without food. Read the medicine label carefully for recommendations.

The oral suspension has to be shaken well before a dose is measured. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for the proper dose measuring spoon or cup. The dose may be taken as it is or mixed with water, fruit juice, milk, ginger ale or baby formula. Drink the mixture right away without saving some for later.

For the chewable Amoxicillin tablet, chew it completely before you swallow.

The extended-release tablet should not be chewed, broken or crushed. It should be swallowed whole.

Frequent blood tests may be required during treatment to check the condition of your liver and kidney. Let your doctors know you are using Amoxicillin to avoid unusual results with tests.

FDA Pregnancy Classification

Category B

Amoxicillin is not expected to cause any harm to an unborn baby. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant during the course of treatment. Amoxicillin can pass into breast milk and harm a breastfeeding baby.

Storage

Store at room temperature and away from heat, light and moisture. Liquid Amoxicillin can be refrigerated but not frozen. Discard the liquid medicine after 14 days.

Side Effects

Serious

• Bloody or watery diarrhea
• Swollen glands, joint pan, itching or rash
• Yellowed or pale skin, yellowing eyes, dark colored urine
• Severe numbness, tingling or muscle weakness
• Easy bruising
• Severe skin reaction

Common

• Headache
• Vaginal discharge or itching
• Stomach pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Swollen, ‘hairy’ or black tongue

Safety

Don’t use this drug if you are allergic to amoxicillin or any other penicillin antibiotic. You should also let your doctor know if you are allergic to cephalosporins like Ceftin, Omnicef, Cefzil, and Keflex. Your doctor also needs to know if you suffer from asthma, kidney or liver disease, blood clotting or bleeding disorder, mononucleosis or any allergy.

Amoxicillin can obstruct the effects of birth control pills by making them less effective. Seek advice from your doctor on non-hormone birth control methods such as spermicide, condom or diaphragm when using Amoxicillin.

The symptoms may improve or go away before the infection is completely cured. Do not stop using the medicine until the end of the prescribed period.

Antibiotic drugs can lead to diarrhea. This is often a sign of new infections. If you have bloody or watery diarrhea, stop using Amoxicillin and contact your doctor immediately. Don’t use anti-diarrhea medication before consulting with your doctor.

If you have PKU (phenylketonuria), let your doctor know before you start using the chewable tablets. Some of these tablets contain phenylalanine.

Interactions

Amoxicillin interacts with 55 drugs.