Amoxicillin

What is amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin (also called Amoxil®, Trimox®, or Wymox®) is used to prevent or treat infections. It is available in the following forms and strengths, all of which are taken by mouth:

•  250 mg capsule
• 500 mg capsule
• 250 mg chewable tablet
• 80 mg/ml liquid suspension

How to take and store amoxicillin

• You may take amoxicillin with or without food. If you have stomach pain, take amoxicillin with food.
• Shake the liquid suspension well before you take it. Use a medicine cup or oral syringe to measure your dose to be sure you are taking the correct amount of medicine.
• Store the liquid suspension at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
• Store amoxicillin tablets and capsules at room temperature in a dry place.
• Discard the liquid suspension after 14 days or when the expiration date on the label tells you to.

Possible side effects of amoxicillin

• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Allergic reaction with the following symptoms: rash, hives, itching, chills, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, swelling of face or neck, tightness in throat, or cough.

These are the most common side effects, but there may be others. Please report all side effects to the doctor or nurse. In case of a severe side effect or reaction, call 901-595-3300. If you are outside the Memphis area, dial toll-free 1-866-2STJUDE (1-866-278-5833).

Special instructions for amoxicillin

• Before taking amoxicillin, tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to any other penicillin antibiotic. If you have any of the allergic symptoms (listed above) or if you have severe or watery diarrhea, tell your doctor right away.
• Take all doses of this medicine as instructed by your doctor, even if you begin to feel better before all doses are taken.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking probenecid or methotrexate. Do not take amoxicillin with these drugs unless your doctor tells you to do so.
  • Probenecid may increase the levels of amoxicillin in your body.
  • Amoxicillin may increase the levels of methotrexate in your body.
• Birth control medicines that contain estrogen may not be effective while you are taking amoxicillin. Use a second birth control method for at least 1 month after taking amoxicillin.
• Amoxicillin may cause a false-positive urine test result when your urine is checked for sugar.