💊 Amoxicillin (Amoxicillin)
Amoxicillin is a semisynthetic antibacterial, an analog of ampicillin, with bactericidal activity against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. It is used to treat bacterial infections of the ear, nose and throat, genitourinary tract, skin and skin structure, and lower respiratory tract. It is prescription-only; the dose and duration are set by your doctor or pharmacist.
In Arabic: أموكسيسيلين
🏷️ Brand names & manufacturers
Packages shown are US-market (DailyMed). Brands available in Palestine are in the price section below.
Amoxicillin🏭 USAntibiotics, LLC
Amoxicillin🏭 Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
Amoxicillin🏭 Redpharm Drug✅ What it is used for
- Upper respiratory tract infections (ear, nose, throat) caused by susceptible bacteria
- Genitourinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria
- Skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible bacteria
- Lower respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria
- Adults only: H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease, in combination with other medicines as prescribed
🧪 Active ingredient
The active ingredient is amoxicillin (as the trihydrate), a broad-spectrum antibacterial that kills many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
🌿 Benefits
- Treats susceptible bacterial infections in several body systems
- For H. pylori, eradication has been shown to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence
📝 How to use
- Take exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, who sets the dose and length of treatment.
- Take at the start of a meal to reduce stomach and bowel upset.
- Complete the full course prescribed, even if symptoms improve; treatment is generally continued for at least 48 to 72 hours after symptoms resolve.
- For infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, at least 10 days of treatment is recommended to prevent acute rheumatic fever.
💊 Dosage forms
- Tablets: 500 mg and 875 mg
- For oral suspension: 200 mg/5 mL, 250 mg/5 mL and 400 mg/5 mL
- Chewable tablets: 125 mg and 250 mg
- Capsules: 250 mg and 500 mg
⚠️ Common side effects
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- With H. pylori combination therapy: headache and taste disturbance
🚨 Serious — seek medical help
- Serious and occasionally fatal anaphylactic (allergic) reactions
- Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, DRESS and AGEP
- Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis)
- Drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome (DIES), mostly in children
- Liver problems including cholestatic jaundice and hepatitis
- Blood disorders such as anemia, low platelets and low white blood cells
- Crystals in the urine, which in some cases may lead to kidney problems
⛔ Do not use if
- History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to amoxicillin
- History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to other beta-lactam antibacterials (penicillins or cephalosporins)
❗ Warnings & precautions
- Tell your doctor about any prior allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins or other allergens before starting treatment.
- Stop the medicine and seek medical help immediately if signs of a severe allergic reaction occur.
- If a skin rash develops, it should be monitored closely, and amoxicillin discontinued if lesions progress.
- Diarrhea may occur during or after treatment; contact your doctor if it develops.
- Care is needed in older patients and those with impaired kidney function; renal function monitoring may be useful.
- Amoxicillin may cause false-positive results on some urine glucose tests (Clinitest, Benedict's, Fehling's).
🔄 Drug interactions
- Probenecid: may increase and prolong amoxicillin blood levels; coadministration is not recommended.
- Oral anticoagulants: prothrombin time may be prolonged (increased INR); monitoring and dose adjustment may be needed.
- Allopurinol: increases the risk of rash.
- Combined oral contraceptives: effectiveness may be reduced.
- Chloramphenicol, macrolides, sulfonamides and tetracyclines: may interfere with the bactericidal effect of penicillin (shown in vitro; clinical significance not well documented).
🤰 Pregnancy
Animal studies in mice and rats showed no evidence of fetal harm, but there are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Amoxicillin should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed, after consulting your doctor.
🍼 Breastfeeding
Penicillins are excreted in human milk, and use by nursing mothers may lead to sensitization of the infant. Caution should be exercised; consult your doctor.
🧒 Children
Safety and effectiveness are established in pediatric patients for upper respiratory, genitourinary, skin and lower respiratory tract infections, but not for H. pylori infection. In infants 12 weeks (3 months) or younger, dosing is modified because kidney function is not fully developed. The doctor determines the dose by age and weight.
👴 Older adults
No overall differences in response were identified between elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity in some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Because the drug is largely excreted by the kidney, care in dose selection is needed and renal function monitoring may be useful.
🌡️ Storage
Keep out of the reach of children. Per the chewable tablet label: store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) in a tight, light-resistant container. Follow the storage instructions on your specific product.
⏰ Missed dose
The label gives no specific instructions for a missed dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist, and do not double the dose on your own.
🆘 Overdose
In case of overdose, discontinue amoxicillin, treat symptoms and provide supportive care. Maintain adequate fluid intake and diuresis to reduce the risk of crystalluria; the drug can be removed by hemodialysis. Seek emergency care or contact a poison center.
💰 Price & brands in your area
🏛️ Official price in Palestine — Ministry of Health price list:
| Product | Company | Pack | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMOXITID 250MG GRAN 60ml AMOXICILLIN 250 | BPC | 60 ML SUSP. | 11 ₪ |
| AMOXITID 250MG GRAN 100ml AMOXICILLIN 250 | BPC | 100ml susp | 15 ₪ |
| AMOXITID 400MG GRAN AMOXICILLIN 400 | BPC | 70 ML SUSP | 15 ₪ |
| OGMIN 125MG GRAN AMOXICILLIN & CLAVULANIC ACID | BPC | SUSP | 16 ₪ |
| AMOXICARE 1000 MG TABLETS Amoxicillin 1000mg | Pharmacare Company | 10 tab | 20 ₪ |
| Ecoclav BID 600 Suspention Amoxicillin (as trihydrate) and Clavulanic acid (as potassium) | Pharmacare Store | 75 ml susp | 21 ₪ |
| ECOCLAV BID 400MG 70 ML SUSP Amoxicillin (as trihydrate) 400 MG and Clavulanic acid (as potassium) 57 MG | Pharmacare Store | 70ml susp | 23 ₪ |
| Ecoclav BID 1000 (875/125)- 10 TAB Amoxicillin (as trihydrate) and Clavulanic acid (as potassium) | Pharmacare Store | 10 tab | 28 ₪ |
| Ecoclav BID 1000 (875/125)- 14TAB Amoxicillin as trihydrate 875mg + Clavulanic acid as potassium 125mg | Pharmacare Store | 14 tab | 35 ₪ |
| OGMIN 875 MG 14 TAB AMOXICILLIN & CLAVULANIC ACID | BPC | 14 TAB | 35 ₪ |
| PEPTIPAC EACH: CAPSULE CONTAINS 20 MG OMEPRAZOLE. TABLET CONTAINS 1000 MG AMOXICILLIN. T | Pharmacare Company | 28 TABLETS AND 14 CAPSULES= 42 TABLETS AND CAPSULES / BOX | 85 ₪ |
Locally made brands: AMOXITID 250 SUSP (Birzeit Pharmaceutical Company)، AMOXITID 500 CAPS (Birzeit Pharmaceutical Company)
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Mechanism of action
Amoxicillin is a bactericidal beta-lactam antibacterial; the label's mechanism section states only that it is an antibacterial drug.
Labeled dosing
Adults: 750 to 1750 mg/day in divided doses every 8 to 12 hours. Pediatric patients over 3 months: 20 to 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 to 12 hours. For mild/moderate ENT, skin and genitourinary infections in patients over 40 kg: 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours; severe: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours. Lower respiratory tract infections: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours. Final dosing is determined by the physician or pharmacist.
- Upper dose for neonates and infants aged 3 months or younger: 30 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours.
- H. pylori triple therapy (adults): amoxicillin 1 g + clarithromycin 500 mg + lansoprazole 30 mg, all twice daily for 14 days.
- H. pylori dual therapy (adults): amoxicillin 1 g + lansoprazole 30 mg, each three times daily for 14 days.
- Reduce the dose in patients with severe renal impairment.
- Administer at the start of a meal to minimize GI intolerance.
🎓 Key points for students
- Indicated only for susceptible beta-lactamase-negative isolates.
- Contraindicated with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to amoxicillin or other beta-lactams.
- Common adverse reactions (>1%): diarrhea, rash, vomiting, nausea.
- Key warnings: anaphylaxis, SCAR (SJS, TEN, DRESS, AGEP), DIES, C. difficile-associated diarrhea.
- Interactions: probenecid, oral anticoagulants, allopurinol, oral contraceptives.
- May cause false-positive non-enzymatic urine glucose tests; use glucose oxidase-based tests.
- Overdose: crystalluria, rarely interstitial nephritis and renal failure; supportive care and hemodialysis.
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Try EME free How we protect your data❓ FAQ
Is amoxicillin available without a prescription?
It is a prescription drug. Your doctor or pharmacist sets the dose and duration; do not use it on your own.
Should I take it with food?
Yes, taking it at the start of a meal helps reduce stomach and bowel upset.
What should I do if I get a rash or trouble breathing?
Stop the medicine and seek medical help immediately, as it may be a severe allergic reaction.
Does it affect birth control pills?
It may reduce the effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives; ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Can I stop when I feel better?
No. Finish the course your doctor prescribed; treatment generally continues at least 48 to 72 hours after symptoms resolve.
Is it safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Use in pregnancy only if clearly needed. It passes into breast milk and may sensitize the infant; consult your doctor.
⚕️ For education only — not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without advice. Source: official FDA drug label via openFDA (2026-11), simplified. Updated: 2026-11-10.