The drug "Amoxicillin" - from what? What diseases does this drug take? We will answer this question below. You will also learn in what forms a known antibiotic is produced, how it should be taken, and so on.
General information about the drug
Before answering the question of how to take the drug "Amoxicillin", what they use this drug from and what composition it has, it is necessary to find out what this medicine is in general.
So, "Amoxicillin" is an antibiotic that belongs to the group of penicillins and has a wide spectrum of action. It quite quickly suppresses the activity of bacteria harmful to humans, such as streptococci, Escherichia coli, staphylococci and so on. It destroys all harmful microorganisms by adversely affecting the walls of their cells. By the way, Amoxicillin itself is destroyed in the human body only under the influence of the penicillinase enzyme or the so-called beta-lactamase.
It should be especially noted that not all bacteria are susceptible to this medication, because there are also those that remain immune to its effects. That is why this medication should be taken only as prescribed by the doctor and only after a thorough medical examination.
The composition of the product and form of release
So, what is Amoxicillin medicine taken from? As you know, the indications for the use of this drug are the same regardless of the form in which this drug is released.
Currently, there are several varieties of dosage forms on sale.
- "Amoxicillin" - capsules. Each of them contains the active substance amoxicillin trihydrate in an amount of 500 or 250 mg. The medicine is sold in a carton package of 100, 50, 20, 16, 10 and 8 capsules.
- Coated tablets. Each of them contains the active substance amoxicillin trihydrate in an amount of 500 or 250 mg. The medicine is sold in cardboard boxes of 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 or 24, 16, 12, 8 tablets.
- Amoxicillin granules. A suspension prepared from such a powder (5 ml) contains 250 mg of amoxicillin trihydrate. As for excipients, they include sodium saccharin, sodium benzoate, simethicone, gum, anhydrous trisodium citrate, sucrose and fragrances with the aroma of strawberries, raspberries and fruits. This drug goes on sale in bottles made of dark glass, 100, 60 and 40 ml. Also included is a dosage spoon.
Pharmacological action of the drug
What is the drug Amoxicillin prescribed for? As mentioned above, such a drug is an antibiotic with a wide spectrum of action. The effect of taking it comes very quickly. Like other penicillin medicines, it is able to inhibit the synthesis of cell walls.
Any form of Amoxicillin release is bactericidal and active against gram-negative as well as gram-positive cocci.
It should also be noted that this drug inhibits the activity of all microorganisms that are sensitive to penicillin G, as well as various anaerobic bacteria. However, beta-lactamase producing strains are not susceptible to Amoxicillin. This medication is acid-resistant, in connection with this it is especially effective when taken orally.
Indications for the use of the drug "Amoxicillin"
Suspension, tablets and capsules of this drug should be taken only after consulting a doctor. As a rule, the doctor prescribes the drug in cases where the patient has found:
- Chronic or acute respiratory infections (e.g., sore throat, sinusitis, otitis media, chronic or acute bronchitis, lung abscess, bronchopneumonia).
- Acute or chronic infections of the digestive tract or bile ducts (cholecystitis, peritonitis, intestinal infections).
- Chronic or acute urinary tract infections (e.g., gonorrhea, pyelonephritis, or urethritis).
- Sepsis.
- Pustular soft tissue infections.
How to take Amoxicillin?
This drug in any form should be taken only by mouth. Food does not affect the absorption of the drug from the digestive tract. In this regard, it can be used for treatment both before meals and after it. According to the instructions, the dosage of the medicine varies depending on the age of the patient and the type of disease:
- For adults and adolescents over 13 years of age, Amoxicillin (500 mg) is prescribed three times a day. In severe illness - 1 g. The course of therapy - 1 or 2 weeks.
- The drug "Amoxicillin" for children aged 5 to 13 years is prescribed 250 mg three times a day.
- Children from 2 to 5 years old - 125 mg three times a day.
- Babies up to 2 years old - based on body weight in the amount of 20 mg per kg of weight. It is desirable to divide such a dosage into 3 doses. Treatment of children with this drug should last about 5-13 days. The interval between taking the medicine is not less than and not more than 8 hours.
In the event that the patient has acute uncomplicated gonorrhea, then the medication is prescribed once in an amount of 3 g (preferably in combination with 1 g of "Probenecid"). Women are recommended to repeat this dose exactly one day later.
Instructions for the preparation and use of the suspension
The drug "Amoxicillin" is prescribed to children very often, because it is the babies who regularly suffer from respiratory infections. However, a child under 5 years old is not recommended to give capsules or tablets of Amoxicillin. For such cases, granules are available for the preparation of a drug suspension. It is prepared quite easily: in a bottle with a preparation (to the mark), it is necessary to add chilled boiled water, and then shake well. In this case, you should form a rather dense mass of a yellowish tinge with the aroma and taste of raspberries, strawberries or fruits. The resulting drug can be stored at room temperature for about 2 weeks. Shake the suspension before use. One measuring spoon holds about 5 ml of the medicine.
Contraindications
This drug effectively treats respiratory infections (sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis). "Amoxicillin" in a short time is able to relieve the patient from malaise and lead him to complete recovery. However, experts do not recommend the use of such a drug for:
- allergic diseases (for example, pollinosis, bronchial asthma, allergies to penicillins , etc.);
- liver failure;
- infectious mononucleosis;
- dysbiosis;
- lymphocytic leukemia;
- breastfeeding a baby.
Side effects
The drug causes quite a few side effects:
- Allergic reactions (e.g., allergic rhinitis, urticaria, conjunctivitis and, in rare cases, anaphylactic shock).
- A negative effect on the digestive tract (vomiting, dysbiosis, nausea, stomatitis, taste disturbance, diarrhea, glossitis, etc.).
- Negative effect on the nervous system (excessive agitation, insomnia, depression, anxiety, dizziness, regular headaches and cramps).
Lactation and pregnancy
There is currently no evidence of a possible mutagenic, teratogenic and embryotoxic effect of the Amoxicillin medication on the fetus. However, such a drug is concentrated in breast milk - this should be taken into account when using the drug while breastfeeding.
It's important to know!
- In a patient with hypersensitivity to carbapenems and cephalosporins, the possible occurrence of cross-allergy should be considered .
- The use of antibiotics of this type is ineffective during acute viral respiratory infections.
- In severe infections of the digestive tract, which are accompanied by constant vomiting or diarrhea, the drug should not be prescribed orally because of the likelihood of poor absorption.
- With prolonged use of this drug, other antifungal agents should be prescribed at the same time.
- Particular care must be taken in those patients who have allergic diathesis, bronchial asthma, hay fever (or hay fever) and any history of gastrointestinal tract diseases.
- With prolonged use of high dosages in patients, the performance of the kidneys and liver should be monitored, as well as general urine and blood tests.
- During therapy, it is necessary to provide the patient with adequate fluid intake.
- With prolonged treatment, it is necessary to take into account the likelihood of developing superinfection with insensitive bacteria.
- When observing a patient's watery feces with an admixture of blood and mucus, fever, abdominal pain, pseudomembranous colitis should be suspected . In this case, the drug must be discontinued and effective treatment should be prescribed immediately.
Drug interaction
There are many drugs that enhance the effect of the drug Amoxicillin. The prescription of such medications should be prescribed only by an experienced doctor. It should also be noted that the simultaneous use of this drug with Probenecid can lead to an increased concentration of Amoxicillin in the blood.