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Amoxicillin

What is amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Amoxicillin is used to treat many different types of infection caused by bacteria, such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, gonorrhea, and infections of the ear, nose, throat, skin, or urinary tract.
Amoxicillin is also sometimes used together with another antibiotic called clarithromycin (Biaxin) to treat stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. This combination is sometimes used with a stomach acid reducer called lansoprazole (Prevacid).
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amoxicillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.
Before using amoxicillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Omnicef, Cefzil, Ceftin, Keflex, and others. Also tell your doctor if you have asthma, liver or kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, mononucleosis (also called "mono"), or any type of allergy.
Amoxicillin can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine. Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Amoxicillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking amoxicillin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using amoxicillin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Amoxicillin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to amoxicillin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations:
-Immediate-release: 2 g orally as a single dose 30 to 60 minutes prior to procedure

Comments:
-Prophylaxis should be used for patients at high risk of adverse outcomes from endocarditis with underlying cardiac conditions who undergo any dental procedure that involves manipulation of gingival tissue or periapical region of a tooth and for those procedures that perforate oral mucosa.
-Prophylaxis should also be used for patients at high risk of adverse outcomes from endocarditis who undergo invasive respiratory tract procedures.
-Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Usual Adult Dose for Chlamydia Infection

US CDC recommendations: 500 mg orally 3 times a day for 7 days in pregnant patients as an alternative to azithromycin

Comments:
-Women less than 25 years and those at an increased risk for chlamydia should be re-screened during the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent maternal postnatal complications and chlamydial infection in the infant.
-Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Usual Adult Dose for Helicobacter pylori Infection

Immediate-release:
-Dual Therapy: 1 g orally every 8 hours for 14 days in combination with lansoprazole
-Triple Therapy: 1 g orally every 12 hours for 14 days in combination with clarithromycin and lansoprazole

Comments: Refer to clarithromycin and lansoprazole for full prescribing information.

Usual Adult Dose for Lyme Disease - Arthritis

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommendations: 500 mg orally 3 times a day for 14 to 28 days

Usual Adult Dose for Lyme Disease - Carditis

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommendations: 500 mg orally 3 times a day for 14 to 28 days

Comments:
-Duration of treatment depends upon severity of condition being treated.
-Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Usual Adult Dose for Lyme Disease - Erythema Chronicum Migrans

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommendations: 500 mg orally 3 times a day for 14 to 28 days

Comments:
-Duration of treatment depends upon severity of condition being treated.
-Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Usual Adult Dose for Lyme Disease

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommendations: 500 mg orally 3 times a day for 14 to 28 days

Comments:
-Duration of treatment depends upon severity of condition being treated.
-Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia

Immediate-release:
-Mild, moderate, or severe infection: 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours

Use: For the treatment of infections of the lower respiratory tract due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) S pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, and H influenzae

IDSA and American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommendations:
Pneumonia:
-Immediate-release: 1 g orally 3 times a day

Comments:
-Patients should be treated for a minimum of 5 days, be afebrile for 48 to 72 hours, and have no more than 1 community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)-associated sign of clinical instability before discontinuing therapy.
-Used in combination with other medications.
-Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Use: For outpatient empirical treatment of community-acquired pneumonia

Usual Adult Dose for Bronchitis

Immediate-release:
-Mild, moderate, or severe infection: 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours

Use: For the treatment of infections of the lower respiratory tract due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) S pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, and H influenzae

IDSA and American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommendations:
Pneumonia:
-Immediate-release: 1 g orally 3 times a day

Comments:
-Patients should be treated for a minimum of 5 days, be afebrile for 48 to 72 hours, and have no more than 1 community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)-associated sign of clinical instability before discontinuing therapy.
-Used in combination with other medications.
-Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Use: For outpatient empirical treatment of community-acquired pneumonia

Usual Adult Dose for Sinusitis

Immediate-release:
-Mild to moderate infection: 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours
-Severe infection: 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours

Comments: Dosing for infections caused by bacteria that are intermediate in their susceptibility should follow recommendations for severe infections.

Uses: For the treatment of infections of the ear, nose and throat due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, or Haemophilus influenzae; for the treatment of infections of the genitourinary tract due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, or Enterococcus faecalis; and for the treatment of infections of the skin and structure due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) S pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, and H influenzae

Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection

Immediate-release:
-Mild to moderate infection: 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours
-Severe infection: 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours

Comments: Dosing for infections caused by bacteria that are intermediate in their susceptibility should follow recommendations for severe infections.

Uses: For the treatment of infections of the ear, nose and throat due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, or Haemophilus influenzae; for the treatment of infections of the genitourinary tract due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, or Enterococcus faecalis; and for the treatment of infections of the skin and structure due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) S pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, and H influenzae

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

Immediate-Release Formulations:
Mild, Moderate, or Severe Infection:
3 months or younger: Up to 30 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 12 hours

Comments:
-Treatment should be continued for a minimum of 48 to 72 hours beyond the time the patient becomes asymptomatic or evidence of bacterial eradication occurs.
-At least 10 days of treatment for any infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes is recommended to prevent the occurrence of acute rheumatic fever.

Immediate-Release Formulations:
Mild to Moderate Infection:
4 months or older:
-Less than 40 kg: 20 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 hours or 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours
-At least 40 kg: 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours

Severe Infection:
4 months or older:
-Less than 40 kg: 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 hours or 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours
-At least 40 kg: 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours

Comments: Dosing for infections caused by bacteria that are intermediate in their susceptibility should follow recommendations for severe infections.

Uses: For the treatment of infections of the ear, nose and throat due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, or Haemophilus influenzae; for the treatment of infections of the genitourinary tract due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, or Enterococcus faecalis; and for the treatment of infections of the skin and structure due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) S pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, and H influenzae

Usual Pediatric Dose for Urinary Tract Infection

Immediate-Release Formulations:
Mild, Moderate, or Severe Infection:
3 months or younger: Up to 30 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 12 hours

Comments:
-Treatment should be continued for a minimum of 48 to 72 hours beyond the time the patient becomes asymptomatic or evidence of bacterial eradication occurs.
-At least 10 days of treatment for any infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes is recommended to prevent the occurrence of acute rheumatic fever.

Immediate-Release Formulations:
Mild to Moderate Infection:
4 months or older:
-Less than 40 kg: 20 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 hours or 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours
-At least 40 kg: 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours

Severe Infection:
4 months or older:
-Less than 40 kg: 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 hours or 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours
-At least 40 kg: 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours

Comments: Dosing for infections caused by bacteria that are intermediate in their susceptibility should follow recommendations for severe infections.

Uses: For the treatment of infections of the ear, nose and throat due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, or Haemophilus influenzae; for the treatment of infections of the genitourinary tract due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, or Enterococcus faecalis; and for the treatment of infections of the skin and structure due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) S pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, and H influenzae

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia

Immediate-Release Formulations:
Mild, Moderate, or Severe infection:
3 months or younger: Up to 30 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 12 hours
4 months or older:
-Less than 40 kg: 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 hours or 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours
-At least 40 kg: 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours

Use: For the treatment of infections of the lower respiratory tract due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) S pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, and H influenzae

IDSA and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society recommendations:
Immediate-release formulations:
4 months or older:
-Empiric therapy for presumed bacterial pneumonia: 90 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses; maximum 4 g/day
-Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin minimum inhibitory concentration of 2 mcg/mL or less): 90 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses or 45 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses
-Group A Streptococcus: 50 to 75 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses
-Haemophilus influenza typeable (A to F) or nontypeable: 75 to 100 mg/kg/day orally in 3 divided doses

Comments: Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Use: For the management of community-acquired pneumonia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bronchitis

Immediate-Release Formulations:
Mild, Moderate, or Severe infection:
3 months or younger: Up to 30 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 12 hours
4 months or older:
-Less than 40 kg: 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 hours or 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours
-At least 40 kg: 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours

Use: For the treatment of infections of the lower respiratory tract due to susceptible (only beta lactamase negative) isolates of Streptococcus species (alpha and beta-hemolytic isolates only) S pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, and H influenzae

IDSA and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society recommendations:
Immediate-release formulations:
4 months or older:
-Empiric therapy for presumed bacterial pneumonia: 90 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses; maximum 4 g/day
-Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin minimum inhibitory concentration of 2 mcg/mL or less): 90 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses or 45 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses
-Group A Streptococcus: 50 to 75 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses
-Haemophilus influenza typeable (A to F) or nontypeable: 75 to 100 mg/kg/day orally in 3 divided doses

Comments: Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information.

Use: For the management of community-acquired pneumonia

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