Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is not suitable for some people. For example, if you have liver or kidney problems, check with your doctor it's OK to take.

Amoxicillin comes as capsules and a liquid you can swallow up to 3 times a day. Follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

Side effects of amoxicillin include feeling sick and diarrhoea. More serious side effects can happen in rare cases.

It can cause problems to take amoxicillin with other medicines, such as medicines to treat gout or other antibiotics.

Most adults and children can take amoxicillin.

Amoxicillin is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell a doctor before starting to take it if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin or penicillin or any other medicine
• have liver or kidney problems
• are due to have any blood or urine tests – taking amoxicillin can affect the results of some tests
• have recently had, or are due to have, any vaccinations
• have glandular fever – taking amoxicillin can cause a rash if you have this condition

The usual dose of amoxicillin capsules is 250mg to 500mg, taken 3 times a day. The dose may be lower for children.

Amoxicillin liquid is available in 2 strengths containing either 125mg in 5ml or 250mg in 5ml.

How to take it

Try to space your doses evenly throughout the day. If you take it 3 times a day, this could be first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon and at bedtime.

You can take amoxicillin before or after food.

Swallow amoxicillin capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them.

Amoxicillin is available as a liquid for children and people who find it difficult to swallow capsules. It will usually be made up for you by your pharmacist.

The medicine will come with an oral syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

These common side effects of amoxicillin can happen in up to 1 in 10 people who take the medicine. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

If you get a skin rash, it may help to take an antihistamine which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you.

Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your amoxicillin after a meal or snack

Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.

Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.

If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you have severe, watery diarrhoea, or any diarrhoea that lasts for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

It is safe to take amoxicillin during pregnancy. Check with a pharmacist or doctor before taking it.

It's OK to take amoxicillin while breastfeeding because only tiny amounts of it get into breast milk. A few babies have had mild side effects, such as diarrhoea, drowsiness, or a rash, but this is very rare.

It's important to treat an infection while you're breastfeeding because there's a risk that an infection could make you unwell.

It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual
• is being sick or has diarrhoea
• has oral thrush (a fungal infection in their mouth) or a skin rash
• seems more sleepy than normal

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Carry on taking the medicine, and keep breastfeeding as usual until you've got advice about your baby's symptoms.

Some medicines affect the way amoxicillin works and increase the chances of you having side effects.

Check with a pharmacist or your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, including:

• methotrexate – a medicine to treat arthritis and psoriasis
• warfarin – a medicine to prevent blood clots
• gout medicines called probenecid or allopurinol
• other antibiotics

These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take them with amoxicillin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.