Amoxil
Amoxil (Amoxicilin) Pills; Antibiotic of Choice
Introduction:
Amoxicilin or Amoxycillin as it was formerly known, is a very popular and safe antibiotic and is sold under various brand names all over the world. It belongs to a the class of moderate spectrum anti biotic. The drug is preferred because of its easy absorption if administered orally and is a drug of choice for children’s infectious diseases.
But Amoxicillin is prone to be degradation by beta-lactmase producing bacteria that are resistant to wide spectrum antibiotics like penicillin. That is why it is given with a beta-lactamase inhibitor like clavulanic acid and the drug is offered as a combination. The result is that the drug will have increased effectiveness.
Mechanism of action and Usage:
Amoxicillin acts by inhibiting the growth of bacterial cell walls; it works on both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. It inhibits the cross linkages in the polymer chains which is a component of the cell walls of the bacteria.
As it has effect on a wide variety of bacterial infections, it is used in treatment of number of diseases. The common diseases for which Amoxicillin is prescribed are acute otitis media, pneumonia, streptococcal pharyngetis, urinary track infection, skin infections, salmonella and Lyme disease. It is also prescribed for the treatment of cystic acne. It has use in prevention of strep pneumococus infections for people undergoing dental work on them. It is also offered in treatment of anthrax.
It is available in the form of capsules, tablets (chewable and dispersible) and pediatric suspension.
Adverse effects of Amoxicillin:
Amoxicillin is known to have side effects same as those found in beta-lactam antibiotics. The common side effects observed are vomiting, nausea, colitis and diarrhea. But in rare cases some impairment of mental attitude are observed like light heartedness, confusion, insomnia, anxiety, irritation and sensitivity to bright lights and noise, and loss of clarity in thinking. It is advised to get immediate medical attention if these symptoms are observed.
But more serious is the possibility of allergic reaction to Amoxicillin as it could occur suddenly and intensely; it requires immediate emergency medical help. Such reaction starts with change in mental set up and itching all over the body and rashes. Itching starts at finger tips and groins and rapidly spreads all over the body. Other symptoms are sensation of fevers, vomiting and nausea. In rare cases, the allergic reactions of Amoxicillin to some persons can be fatal.
There is also nonallergic reaction of the drug in 3 to 10 % of the children administered with Amoxicillin. It may begin after 72 hours after the medication and it will result in rashes, but this is not same as allergic rash and can be easily controlled. It does not mean that this should stop the current course of amoxicillin.
Interaction with other medication
Care should be taken with patients who are on birth control pills, some specified antibiotics, cancer treatment, typhoid vaccine; allopurinol (gout treatment) is the drug is known to have interference with above treatments.
Price
It is available at USD 45 for 100 pack of capsules of 500 mg. There is some variation in prices offered by different brands.
Amoxil (or Amoxicillin) is one of the group of penicillin antibiotics. It is used to kill bacteria in the organism as well as the infections caused by these bacteria (bladder infections, gonorrhea, ear infections, pneumonia, salmonella infection). Amoxil is sometimes prescribed to be taken with Biaxin (Clarithromacin) when used to get rid of stomach ulcers after Helicobacter pylori infection. In this case your doctor will also prescribe you Prevacid (Lansoprazole) to reduce discomfort caused by stomach acid. Keep in mind the following important information concerning Amoxil. Never use the medication if you have any allergic reaction to amoxillicin or any antibiotic of penicillin group, such as dicloxacillin (Dynapen, Dycill), ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen), Bactocill (oxacillin) or penicillin ( Ledercillin VK, Veetids, Beepen-VK, V-Cillin K, Pfizerpen, Pen-Vee K) and some others. So before start using any kind of antibiotics of penicillin group you should go through complete medical examination and tell your personal doctor about your allergy. You should know if you are allergic to Omnicef, Ceftin, Cefzil and Keflex. If you are ill in asthma, blood cloting disorder, lover disease, kidney disease or mononucleosis in order not to increase the diseases. You should be very attentive when taking Amoxil while using any birth control medications as it can influence the effectiveness of them actually make them less effective. Consult your doctor about any other ways (non-hormone) of birth control. Here you’ll be suggested using either condoms or spermicide or diaphragm on order to prevent the unwilling pregnancy and to keep on taking Amoxillicin. The symptoms you have may greatly improve while you are taking Amoxil even before the infection is removed (cleared) completely. Vural infections (cold, flu) are not treated with Amoxil. Never give your medication to a person with similar symptoms as it can cause serious complications. If you achieve any complications, especially diarrhea, don’t take this medication and consult your doctor as it may be the symptom of some other infection. Don’t use any medicine before visiting a doctor. Tell your physitian if you are breast-feeding your baby in order not ot harm your baby’s health.
