Amoxicillin is a prescription medicine that’s used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

This drug is a penicillin antibiotic that kills bacteria or slows their growth.

Amoxicillin may be recommended to treat infections of the nose, ears, throat, urinary tract, or skin. It can also be used for pneumonia, tonsillitis, or bronchitis. Sometimes it’s given with other medicines to get rid of H. pylori, a species of bacteria that causes ulcers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally approved this medicine in 1974. It’s sold under various brand names.

uses

What is Amoxicillin (Amoxil) used for?

Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis
Helicobacter pylori Infection
Lyme Disease -- Arthritis
Lyme Disease -- Carditis
Lyme Disease -- Erythema Chronicum Migrans
Otitis Media
Pneumonia
Sinusitis
Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis
Urinary Tract Infection
Skin and Structure Infection
Bronchitis
Chlamydia Infection
Lyme Disease
Tuberculosis - Urinary Tract
Infection - Bacterial/Fungal/Protozoal/Viral
Inhalation Bacillus anthracis
Cutaneous Bacillus anthracis
Anthrax Prophylaxis

warnings

What is the most important information I should know about Amoxicillin (Amoxil)?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to any penicillin antibiotic, such as ampicillin, dicloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin, or ticarcillin.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease;
mononucleosis (also called "mono");
diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or
food or drug allergies (especially to a cephalosporin antibiotic such as Omnicef, Cefzil, Ceftin, Keflex, and others).

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Amoxicillin can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge) to prevent pregnancy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Side Effects

What are the side effects of Amoxicillin (Amoxil)?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe stomach pain; or
diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose).

Common side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; or
rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Can I take Amoxicillin (Amoxil) if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

No evidence of risk in humans

Based on FDA pregnancy categories

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Amoxicillin can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge) to prevent pregnancy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Dosage Guidelines & Tips

How to take Amoxicillin (Amoxil)?

Use Amoxicillin (Amoxil) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take this medicine at the same time each day.

Some forms of amoxicillin may be taken with or without food. Check your medicine label to see if you should take your amoxicillin with food or not.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). You may mix the liquid with water, milk, baby formula, fruit juice, or ginger ale. Drink all of the mixture right away. Do not save for later use.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

Swallow the regular tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

You will need frequent medical tests.

If you are taking amoxicillin with clarithromycin and/or lansoprazole to treat stomach ulcer, use all of your medications as directed. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Amoxicillin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using amoxicillin.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You may store liquid amoxicillin in a refrigerator but do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any liquid amoxicillin that is not used within 14 days after it was mixed at the pharmacy.

What should I do if I missed a dose of Amoxicillin (Amoxil)?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.