Amoxicillin: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Amoxicillin oral tabletMedically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP — By University of Illinois — Updated on June 21, 2022 Highlights for amoxicillinAmoxicillin is an antibiotic. It’s used to treat infections caused by certain types of bacteria.Amoxicillin oral tablet comes as immediate-release (IR) or chewable tablets. The chewable tablet and IR tablet are only available as generic drugs. Amoxicillin also comes as a capsule and a suspension. All forms are taken by mouth. Amoxicillin side effectsAmoxicillin oral tablet does not cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects. More common side effects The more common side effects of amoxicillin oral tablet can include:nauseavomitingdiarrhearashvaginal yeast infection If these side effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Serious side effects Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:Hypersensitivity reactions. Symptoms can include:flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, or sore throata painful red or purple rash that spreadsblisters that could cause the skin to break down and cause open soresLiver damage. This effect is rare. Symptoms can include:increased liver enzymes shown on a blood testpain in the abdomen (stomach area)yellowing of the skin and eyestiredness Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history. Important warningsFinishing therapy: It’s important to finish the entire course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking this drug or skip doses if you start to feel better. This could cause your infection to last longer. You could also develop a resistance to the medication. This means that if you get a bacterial infection in the future, you may not be able to treat it with amoxicillin.Diarrhea: Amoxicillin may cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if you have bloody or watery diarrhea, with or without stomach cramps and fever.Serious allergic reaction: This drug can cause a serious allergic reaction. This reaction can be fatal (cause death). If you’re allergic to other antibiotics, such as penicillins or cephalosporins, your risk for an allergic reaction may be higher. Call your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing or swelling of your throat or tongue while you’re taking this drug. What is amoxicillin Amoxicillin is a prescription antibiotic. It’s used to treat infections caused by a certain type of bacteria. It may be used as part of combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. The oral tablet comes as an immediate-release (IR) tablet and chewable tablet. These are only available as generic drugs. Generic drugs usually cost less. Amoxicillin also comes as a capsule and a suspension. All forms are taken by mouth. Why it s used Amoxicillin is an antibiotic. It’s used to treat infections caused by a certain type of bacteria. Amoxicillin may be used as part of combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. How it works Amoxicillin belongs to a class of drugs called penicillins. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. Amoxicillin works by killing bacteria and stopping its growth in your body. Amoxicillin may interact with other medications Amoxicillin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with amoxicillin are listed below. Drugs that increase the risk of side effects from amoxicillin Taking amoxicillin with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from amoxicillin. This is because the amount of amoxicillin in your body may be increased. Examples of these drugs include:Probenecid: Taking probenecid with amoxicillin could lead to increased blood levels of amoxicillin. A doctor may need to decrease the dose of amoxicillin in some patients. Allopurinol: If you use these drugs together, you may develop a rash. Interactions that increase the risk of side effects from other drugs Taking amoxicillin with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from these medications. Amoxicillin increases the amount of these drugs in your body. Examples of these drugs include drugs to treat blood clots. These are called anticoagulants and include warfarin (Coumadin), apixaban (Eliquis), Heparin, and others. If you use them with amoxicillin, you have a higher risk of bleeding. Your doctor may adjust your dose of amoxicillin as a result. Interactions that can make your drugs less effective When amoxicillin is less effective: When amoxicillin is used with certain drugs, it may not work as well. In vitro studies have shown potential interactions that can cause the amount of amoxicillin in your body may be decreased. Because in vitro studies are only conducted in a lab and not on live subjects, it is not clear whether this can significantly impact you if you’re taking amoxicillin with these drugs. Nevertheless, examples of these drugs include:ChloramphenicolIf you use these drugs together, your doctor will likely keep your dosage of amoxicillin the same.Macrolides, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, or azithromycinIf you use these drugs together, your doctor will likely keep your dosage of amoxicillin the same.Sulfonamides, such as sulfamethoxazoleIf you use these drugs together, your doctor will likely keep your dosage of amoxicillin the same.Tetracyclines, such as tetracycline or doxycyclineIf you use these drugs together, your doctor will likely keep your dosage of amoxicillin the same. When other drugs are less effective: When certain drugs are used with amoxicillin, they may not work as well. This is because the amount of these drugs in your body may be decreased. Examples of these drugs include:Oral contraceptives (birth control)If you need to take amoxicillin, you should consider using a barrier method of birth control while on amoxicillin. Or, your doctor may prescribe a different form of birth control for you. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you’re taking. Amoxicillin warnings This drug comes with several warnings. Allergies Amoxicillin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:trouble breathingswelling of your throat or tongue If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death). Warnings for people with certain health conditions For people with mononucleosis (mono or kissing disease): Amoxicillin raises your risk of developing a severe rash. For people with diabetes: Amoxicillin may cause you to have a false-positive reaction when testing for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Talk with your doctor about how to manage your blood sugar while taking amoxicillin. For people with kidney disease: If you have severe kidney disease, your kidneys may not clear this drug from your body quickly. As a result, levels of amoxicillin may build up in your body. To help prevent this, your doctor may give you a lower dose of this drug. Warnings for other groups For pregnant people: Research in animals has not shown adverse effects on the fetus when the mother takes amoxicillin. There haven’t been enough studies done on humans to be certain if the drug poses a risk to the fetus. However, you may want to still speak to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. For people who are nursing: Amoxicillin may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you are nursing your child. You may need to decide whether to stop nursing or stop taking this medication. For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. How to take amoxicillin This dosage information is for amoxicillin oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:your agethe condition being treatedhow severe your condition isother medical conditions you havehow you react to the first dose Forms and strengths Generic: AmoxicillinForm: oral tabletStrengths: 500 mg, 875 mgForm: oral chewable tabletStrengths: 125 mg, 250 mg Dosage for infections of the ears nose and throat IMMEDIATE-RELEASE TABLET AND CHEWABLE TABLET Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years) Typical dosage is 500 mg every 12 hours, or 250 mg every 8 hours. Child dosage (ages 3 months–17 years) Typical dosage is 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours, or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours. The children’s dosage listed here is meant for children who weigh less than 88 pounds (40 kg). Children who weigh more than 88 pounds should be dosed according to the adult recommendations. Child dosage (ages 0–2 months) Maximum dosage is 30 mg/kg/day. Your child’s doctor can tell you more about dosage. Dosage for urinary tract infections Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years) Typical dosage is 500 mg every 12 hours, or 250 mg every 8 hours. Child dosage (ages 3 months–17 years) Typical dosage is 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours, or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours. Child dosage (ages 0–2 months) Maximum dosage is 30 mg/kg/day. Your child’s doctor can tell you more about dosage. Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Special considerationsFor children’s dosage: The children’s dosage listed here is meant for children who weigh less than 88 pounds (40 kg). Children who weigh more than 88 pounds should be dosed according to the adult recommendations. Dosage for skin infections Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years) Typical dosage is 500 mg every 12 hours, or 250 mg every 8 hours. Child dosage (ages 3 months–17 years) Typical dosage is 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours, or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours. The dosage listed here is meant for children who weigh less than 88 pounds (40 kg). Children who weigh more than 88 pounds should be dosed according to the adult recommendations. Child dosage (ages 0–2 months) Maximum dosage is 30 mg/kg/day. Your child’s doctor can tell you more about dosage. Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Dosage for lower respiratory tract infections Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years) Typical dosage is 875 mg every 12 hours, or 500 mg every 8 hours. Child dosage (ages 3 months–17 years) Typical dosage is 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours, or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours. Child dosage (ages 0–2 months) Maximum dosage is 30 mg/kg/day. This is meant for children who weigh less than 88 pounds (40 kg). Children who weigh more than 88 pounds should be dosed according to the adult recommendations. Your child’s doctor can tell you more about dosage. Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Dosage for gonorrhea Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years) Typical dosage is 3 g as a single dose. Child dosage (ages 24 months–17 years) Typical dosage is 50 mg/kg amoxicillin combined with 25 mg/kg probenecid as a single dose. The children’s dosage listed here is meant for children who weigh less than 88 pounds (40 kg). Children who weigh more than 88 pounds should be dosed according to the adult recommendations. Child dosage (ages 0–23 months) This medication should not be used in children younger than 2 years of age for treatment of gonorrhea. Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Dosage for stomach and intestinal ulcers Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)Typical dosage for triple therapy: 1 g amoxicillin with 500 mg clarithromycin and 30 mg of lansoprazole, all given twice per day for 14 days.Typical dosage for dual therapy: 1 g amoxicillin and 30 mg of lansoprazole, given three times per day for 14 days. Child dosage (ages 0–17 years) This drug has not been studied in children to treat stomach and intestinal ulcers. Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Take as directed Amoxicillin oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: Your bacterial infection may not heal or may get worse. If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times. It’s important to finish the entire course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking the drug or skip doses if you start to feel better. This could cause your infection to last longer. You could also develop a resistance to the medication. This means if you get a bacterial infection in the future, you may not be able to treat it with amoxicillin. If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose may not be significant at less than 250 mg/kg. In higher-dose cases, it may lead to kidney failure. If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects. How to tell if the drug is working: The symptoms of your infection should improve. Important considerations for taking amoxicillin Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes amoxicillin oral tablet for you. GeneralTake this drug at the time(s) recommended by your doctor.You can take the amoxicillin capsule, tablet, or suspension with or without food.You should take amoxicillin extended-release tablets within 1 hour of finishing a meal.Don’t crush, cut, or chew the extended-release tablets. You can crush, cut, or chew the regular or chewable tablets. Storage Store amoxicillin at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C). Keep this drug away from light. Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms. Refills A prescription for this medication may be refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. Travel When traveling with your medication:Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it in a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold. Clinical monitoring You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. These issues include your:Kidney function. Blood tests can check how well your kidneys are working. If your kidneys aren’t working well, your doctor may decide to lower your dosage of this drug.Liver function. Blood tests can check how well your liver is working. If your liver isn’t working well, your doctor may lower your dosage of this drug. The cost of these blood tests will depend on your insurance coverage. Are there any alternatives There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Last medically reviewed on June 21, 2022Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / VirusesDrugsMedically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP — By University of Illinois — Updated on June 21, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related Coverage7 ways to treat a UTI without antibioticsMedically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH Antibiotics are an effective treatment for urinary tract infections, but they carry some risks. Learn about home remedies that may help treat UTIs.READ MOREDo antibiotics raise the risk of rheumatoid arthritis? A large-scale study finds a link between the antibiotics doctors use to treat some types of infection and a higher risk of developing rheumatoid…READ MOREWhat to know about infectionsMedically reviewed by Cameron White, MD, MPH Infection refers to an invasion of the body by harmful microorganisms or parasites. The severity can range from mild to fatal. Treatment depends on…READ MOREHow is bacterial vaginosis different from a yeast infection?Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, MD Bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections can cause similar symptoms, but they require different treatments. Learn to tell the two apart and more here.READ MOREWhat to know about antibioticsMedically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP Antibiotics include a range of powerful drugs that kill bacteria or slow their growth. They treat bacterial infections, not viruses. Learn more here.READ MORE