Amoxil

Amoxil is an antibiotic agent that belongs to the group of aminopenicillins. The drug has a wide range of effects. The active substance is amoxicillin. Amoxil tablets of 250, 500 and 625 mg and powder for preparation of solution for infusions (1-2 g in packages) are available.

Pharmacological effect of Amoxil

The active ingredient of the drug is amoxicillin trihydrate. This component has a synthetic origin and has a bactericidal property. However, aminopenicillin is not sensitive to microorganisms that produce penicillinase. According to the instructions, Amoxil contains clavulanic acid, thanks to which the drug is resistant to penicillinase. This component also reduces cross-susceptibility to antimicrobial agents.

Amoxil destroys the following types of microorganisms:

• Gram-positive bacteria: Streptococcus spp. (Streptococcus pneumoniae inclusive), Staphylococcus spp. (except strains producing penicillinase), Enterococcus faecalis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Bacillus anthracis;
• Gram-negative bacteria: Helicobacter pylori, Escherichia coli, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Haemophilus influenzae, Proteus mirabilis, Neisseria meningitidis, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp;
• Anaerobic bacteria: Clostridium tetani, Peptococcus spp., Clostridium perfringens, Peptostreptococcus spp.

The drug does not show activity against fungi, mycoplasmas, amoebas, mycobacteria, rickettsia, plasmodia and viruses, as well as Proteus spp (with the exception of P. Mirabilis) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

According to the instructions, Amoxil is well absorbed by the body. The maximum concentration of the substance in the blood is reached 2 hours after administration. The drug is excreted unchanged by the kidneys (60-70%).

Indications for the use of Amoxil

The use of Amoxil is indicated for the following diseases:

• infections of the kidneys and urinary tract;
• infections of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatobiliary system;
• infections of the skin and soft tissues;
• infections of joints and bone tissue.

The drug is also effective in infectious complications in patients who have undergone surgery. Amoxil is prescribed for the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers and chronic gastritis, combining it with metronidazole or clarithromycin.

Method of application and dosage

According to the instructions, Amoxil is used in the form of tablets or powders (for intravenous administration). In the first case, it is necessary to take the drug orally, without focusing on the time of the meal. Amoxil tablets should be swallowed whole and washed down with water. As a rule, it is necessary to take the remedy with an interval of 8 hours. Adults are prescribed 250-500 mg at a time, but in severe conditions the dose can be increased to 1 g.

Dosage for children:

• 1-2 years – 30 mg per kg of weight per day;
• 2-5 years – 125 mg at a time;
• 5-10 years – 250 mg per dose;
• from 10 years – 250-500 mg per dose if the weight is more than 40 kg.

The maximum permissible dose is 60 mg per 1 kg of body weight during the day.

Intravenous injections:

Intravenous injections are carried out drip or jet every 8-12 hours. Before use, a solution is made based on Amoxil powder, after which it is immediately injected into a vein. It is strictly prohibited to store the drug in diluted form. The dosage for adults is 1000/200 mg with an interval of 8 hours. In extreme cases, a dose of 1000/200 mg every 6 hours is acceptable, but this is the maximum.

Dosage for children:

• Up to 3 months at a weight of up to 4 kg – 25/5 mg per 1 kg of weight every 12 hours;
• From 3 months to 12 years and at a weight of more than 4 kg – 25/5 mg per kg of weight every 8 hours.

Side effects of Amoxil

Amoxil may cause the following side effects:

• Fever, itching, rash, redness of the skin, urticaria;
• Vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dry mouth and taste disorders;
• Black "hairy" tongue;
• Unpleasant sensations and abdominal pain, bloating, colitis (including hemorrhagic, pseudomembranous);
• A moderate increase in the number of liver enzymes.

Rare side effects:

• Reversible thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, reversible leukopenia, eosinophilia;
• Increased prothrombin time;
• Interstitial nephritis;
• Candidiasis of the mucous membranes, the development of superinfections;
• False positive test results when determining glucose levels in urine by non-enzymatic methods and when conducting tests to determine urobilinogen;
• Anxiety, insomnia, weakness, anxiety, behavior disorders, loss of consciousness, hyperkinesia, headache and dizziness;
• Seizures (in patients with impaired renal function).

Very rare side effects:

• Stevens–Johnson syndrome;
• Erythema multiforme;
• Eczema;
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis;
• Enanthema;
• Hyperkeratosis of the skin;
• Hepatitis, jaundice;
• Bullous, exfoliative dermatitis;
• Serum sickness;
• Vasculitis;
• Anaphylactic shock or angioedema.

Overdose

With an overdose of Amoxil, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and a violation of the water-electrolyte balance occur. In this case, it is urgently necessary to rinse the stomach, drink activated charcoal and saline laxatives. Correction of the water-electrolyte balance is also required, and in some situations, the use of hemodialysis.

Contraindications to use

Amoxil is not prescribed to people with hypersensitivity to amoxicillin trihydrate, as well as to other components of the drug. The same applies to all penicillin antibiotics. Patients with hypersensitivity to cephalosporin antibiotics should consider the possibility of cross-allergy.

The drug is also contraindicated in lymphocytic leukemia, infectious mononucleosis and during lactation. In addition, Amoxil is not prescribed simultaneously with metronidazole to people with sensitivity to nitroimidazole derivatives.