In the article we will understand, "Amoxicillin" is an antibiotic or not.
It is a bactericidal, antibacterial drug with a wide range of effects. It belongs to the representatives of the fourth generation of penicillins of semisynthetic origin.
Structure
As indicated by the instructions for the antibiotic Amoxicillin, the main active ingredient in the drug is amoxicillin trihydrate. In addition to the active substance, the preparation contains additional substances, the list of which differs depending on the pharmacological form.
Many people wonder if Amoxicillin belongs to antibiotics or not.
Pharmacological forms
The manufacturer "Amoxicillin" is available in various pharmacological forms:
- Pills.
- Capsules with a dosage of the active substance 250 mg.
- Capsules with a dosage of 500 mg of active substance.
- Granules intended for the manufacture of oral suspension.
In addition, there is a medication intended for use in veterinary medicine, it takes the form of an injection solution.
So, is Amoxicillin an antibiotic or not?
Pharmacological effects
The drug is an antibiotic characterized by a wide spectrum of effects. According to its pharmacological group, it belongs to semisynthetic penicillins. The manufacturer's annotation states that the drug is a 4-hydroxyl analogue of ampicillin. Able to have a bactericidal effect. It is active against aerobic gram-positive bacteria, for example, streptococci, staphylococci (with the exception of penicillinase producing strains). It is also active against aerobic gram-negative bacteria: Klebsiella, Salmonella, Shigella, Neisseria.
Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics
According to the instructions for the antibiotic Amoxicillin, the active substance is rapidly and fully adsorbed in the digestive tract, without destroying the acidic environment of the stomach. The maximum concentration of a substance is noted 2 hours after using the drug. When the dosage is doubled, the concentration doubles. The presence of food in the stomach does not affect the absorption of the drug. The substance binds to plasma proteins by 20%. The active substance is distributed after entering the body through tissues and fluids. The highest concentration of amoxicillin is observed in the liver tissue.
The elimination half-life is about 1.5 hours. About 60% of the total dose taken orally is excreted in conjunction with urine. The active component is displayed in an unchanged state. A certain amount of amoxicillin is present in the feces. In newborns and elderly patients, the half-elimination period slightly increases.
The drug has the ability in small quantities to overcome the BBB in the presence of an inflammatory process in the pia mater.
In what cases is it advisable to use the antibiotic Amoxicillin?
Indications for use
The drug can be used for monotherapy, as well as in combination with clavulanic acid for the treatment of the following infectious and inflammatory pathologies:
- Infections of the skin, soft tissues.
- Gonorrhea.
- Gynecological pathologies of infectious origin.
- Pathology of the digestive system of infectious genesis.
- Urethritis.
- Cystitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Pyelonephritis.
- Bronchitis.
Also, the antibiotic "Amoxicillin" with angina very quickly helps.
Together with metronidazole preparations, it can be used for therapy:
- Peptic ulcer of the duodenum, stomach caused by Helicobacter pylori.
- Chronic forms of gastritis during periods of exacerbation.
Also indications for the use of any form of "Amoxicillin" are:
- Endocarditis.
- Sepsis.
- Meningitis.
- Salmonella carriage, salmonellosis.
- Shigellosis.
- Tick-borne borreliosis.
- Listeriosis, leptospirosis.
Contraindications
In accordance with the instructions for use, the antibiotic Amoxicillin is contraindicated in the presence of certain pathologies or physiological conditions:
- Hypersensitivity to penicillin and cephalosporin preparations.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Hay fever.
- Respiratory infections of viral origin.
- Allergic diathesis.
- Lymphocytic leukemia.
- Infectious mononucleosis.
- Severe gastrointestinal pathologies, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea.
It is forbidden to use Amoxicillin in combination with metronidazole preparations for the following violations:
- Severe sensitivity to nitroimidazoles.
- Lymphocytic leukemia, infectious mononucleosis.
- Violation of blood formation.
- Pathologies of the National Assembly.
Use together with clavulanic acid is prohibited if there is a history of information about impaired hepatic functionality and jaundice.
Negative impact
On the background of Amoxicillin therapy, patients may develop various negative symptoms:
- Allergic responses in the form of Quincke's edema, erythrem, urticaria, conjunctivitis, rhinitis. In some cases, there is a possibility of joint pain, fever, eosinophilia. In extremely rare cases, anaphylactic shock develops.
- A consequence of chemotherapeutic effects in the form of the development of superinfection, more often manifested in people with chronic pathologies and reduced resistance.
- The consequences of prolonged use of large doses of the drug in the form of ataxia, dizziness, depression, impaired consciousness, seizures, peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, it is important to take the drug during the period that was determined by the doctor.
The combination of amoxicillin with metronidazole can lead to interstitial nephritis, hematopoiesis disorders, allergic manifestations, hepatitis, pseudomembranous colitis.
The combination of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid can cause the formation of toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis.
"Amoxicillin" is an antibiotic or not, it is now known.
Use of medication
It is necessary to take the drug orally, while drinking water. You can take an antibiotic regardless of meals.
When using the antibiotic "Amoxicillin" in tablets, patients from 12 years old are shown to take 500 mg of the drug three times a day. However, depending on the pathology, the dosage may vary and vary on the recommendation of a doctor.
In severe forms of the disease, a dose increase of up to 750-1000 mg is allowed, however, no more than 6 grams of antibiotic can be taken per day.
How much they drink the antibiotic "Amoxicillin", it is important to find out in advance.
Increased dosages can be prescribed for the treatment of typhoid fever (three times a day up to 2 grams), leptospirosis (four times a day for 500-750 mg). Continue the use of an antibiotic should be a few more days after the complete disappearance of symptoms. As a rule, therapy takes 5-12 days.
Suspension "Amoxicillin" is used to treat patients younger than 5 years. It must be prepared immediately before starting therapy. To do this, add cold water to the bottle containing the granules and shake the solution. The prepared suspension can be stored for no more than 14 days, while it is important that the solution is stored at room temperature. Before each dose, it is important to shake the medicine. Each measuring spoon that comes with the drug holds 5 ml of the drug, which corresponds to 250 mg of the active ingredient.
Children under 2 years of age are shown to take up to 20 mg of the Amoxicillin antibiotic per day in suspension per kilogram of weight. Children 2-5 years old are recommended to take 125 mg of the drug, for children 5-10 years old, a single dosage is 250 mg, for children from 10 years old - up to 500 mg. In severe cases of the disease, a dosage increase of up to 1 gram is allowed.
It is clear that Amoxicillin is a good antibiotic. But when using it, it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage.
Overdose
Most often, an overdose does not cause a pronounced toxic effect, even if the dosages have been greatly exceeded. Taking a large dose of the drug can cause symptoms of digestive upset, imbalance in water and electrolytes. In patients suffering from renal failure, an overdose provokes crystalluria and signs of nephrotoxicity.
Intoxication therapy involves the use of symptomatic drugs and activated charcoal. In some cases, hemodialysis is indicated. Currently, Amoxicillin does not have a specific antidote.
Interaction with other medicines
Amoxicillin is able to reduce the therapeutic effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
Concomitant use with bactericidal antibiotic drugs leads to synergism. Combination with bacteriostatic antibiotic drugs leads to antagonism.
"Amoxicillin" is able to reduce the effectiveness of drugs in the metabolism of which PABA is observed.
Combination with NSAIDs, phenylbutazone, probenecid, diuretics, allopurinol causes a decrease in tubular secretion. As a result, there is a risk of an increase in the concentration of amoxicillin in the blood.
Simultaneous administration with ascorbic acid causes an increase in the absorption of amoxicillin, with laxatives, aminoglycosides, antacids, glucosamine - its decrease.
Changes in pharmacokinetics with the parallel intake of clavulanic acid and amoxicillin are not observed, therefore, these substances can be combined without consequences.
Penicillinase-producing microorganisms are resistant to this drug.
Combined use with metronidazole is effective against Helicobacter pylori.
Between ampicillin and amoxicillin cross-resistance occurs.
Special instructions for the use of the drug
Caution must be exercised when using amoxicillin-based preparations for patients prone to allergic reactions.
It is not recommended to combine the drug with metronidazole to people suffering from liver pathologies, patients under 18 years of age.
Amoxicillin in combination with clarithromycin and omeprazole can be used to treat peptic ulcer disease.
In some cases, cross-allergy occurs in patients with increased susceptibility to cephalosporins, carbapenems.
It must be taken into account that Amoxicillin is ineffective in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections.
If patients have severe infectious lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, a tablet preparation should not be used.
Caution should be taken in patients with hay fever, allergic diathesis, and bronchial asthma.
If long-term therapy with Amoxicillin is necessary, the patient is recommended to additionally take Nystatin, Levorin, or any other antimycotic agent.
In addition, it is important to monitor the condition of the liver, kidneys, laboratory parameters of blood, urine in patients taking high doses of the antibiotic over a long period of time.
Often, patients are interested in doctors whether Amoxicillin is an antibiotic or not. The answer to this question is affirmative, “Amoxicillin” is an antibiotic drug, so you can take it only on the recommendation of a doctor.
What antibiotics "Amoxicillin" can be replaced?
Analogues of this drug
The pharmaceutical market offers patients many analogues of this drug, incorporating a similar active component. The cost of similar drugs is diverse and depends on the manufacturer of the drug. The most popular are: Ecobol, Amoxisar, Amosin. Amoxicillin Sulbactam, Flemoxin Solutab, Amoxicillin Sandoz, Amoxicillin trihydrate, Ospamox, Ampicillin, Hiconcil, Amoxil, Penicillin.
What antibiotics "Amoxicillin" will replace, it is better to check with the doctor.
All drugs have certain contraindications and can cause side symptoms. That is why it is important to coordinate treatment with a specialist.
The use of the antibiotic Amoxicillin for children
When treating pediatric patients, it is important to adhere to a specific antibiotic regimen prescribed by the pediatrician. Usually children are recommended to take a suspension. Take "Amoxicillin" in combination with metronidazole is prohibited until 18 years of age. The dosage of the drug for the child is calculated taking into account its body weight, pathology, age.
Compatibility "Amoxicillin" and alcohol
The manufacturer's abstract does not contain information on how “Amoxicillin” and alcohol are combined. However, experts do not recommend combining the intake of these substances. This is due to the ability of alcohol to significantly reduce the effectiveness of the drug. In addition, the severity of side effects is significantly increased. The impact on the nervous system can be unpredictable, the risk of respiratory disorders, allergic responses, and toxic effects on liver tissue is growing. That is, it is recommended to take this antibiotic exclusively during the period of abstinence from drinking alcohol.
The use of a medication in the lactation period, during pregnancy
Despite the fact that the active components of Amoxicillin are able to penetrate the BBB, it can be used to treat inflammatory diseases in women during pregnancy, strictly according to the indications and doctor's prescription.
In the lactation period, the drug should not be used, since amoxicillin is excreted in breast milk. If therapy is necessary, it is important to stop breastfeeding.
The cost of this drug
The average packaging cost of a tabletted Amoxicillin with a dosage of 500 mg containing 10 tablets is 35 rubles. A bottle of suspension will cost about 90 rubles.
Reviews about "Amoxicillin"
Most often there are positive responses about the use of Amoxicillin. Patients report that the effectiveness of therapy is observed after a short time, the drug is convenient to use. High efficacy of Amoxicillin therapy in tonsillitis is also often reported, especially in children. Separately, such a positive characteristic of the drug as the possibility of its use during pregnancy is noted.
Experts also respond well about the drug, saying that Amoxicillin is one of the most effective drugs among antibiotics, they do not forget to remind that self-treatment of inflammatory pathologies is unacceptable. Treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, otherwise complications and side effects can be expected.
We examined Amoxicillin as an antibiotic or not, and how to take it.