Antibiotics are special substances that inhibit the growth of living cells belonging to the simplest or prokaryotic microorganisms. Some of them are bactericides. They have a very strong inhibitory effect not only on growth, but also on the reproduction of bacteria. It should be noted that such substances practically do not damage the cells of the macroorganism, and therefore they are actively used in pharmacology (as medicines).
The antibiotic Amoxicillin is one of the most popular and inexpensive drugs, which is often used to treat various infectious and inflammatory diseases. We will tell about what contraindications this medication has and in what dosage it is prescribed to patients.
The form and composition of the drug
According to the instructions for use and reviews, Amoxicillin is available in several forms. This drug can be purchased in the form of tablets (250 mg) or capsules (500 mg), as well as in the form of granules intended for the preparation of a medicinal suspension (mainly used to treat children).
We can not say that the antibiotic with the same name is also available in the form of a 15% solution in ampoules. Usually it is used in veterinary practice.
The active ingredient in all forms of the drug is amoxicillin. Also, the medication contains auxiliary components (depending on its type).
Pharmacological characteristics
What is Amoxicillin? Reviews of experts report that this drug is a popular antibiotic with a wide spectrum of effects. It belongs to the group of semi-synthetic penicillins.
Such a medication is a 4-hydroxyl analogue of an antibiotic substance - ampicillin. It shows excellent bactericidal effect and high activity against aerobic gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.
Pharmacokinetic properties of the drug
What are the pharmacokinetic features of the drug Amoxicillin? The instructions and reviews of experts claim that the active component of this medication is quite quickly and fully absorbed from the digestive tract. It should be noted that the acidic environment of the stomach from such an antibiotic is not disturbed.
The maximum concentration level of amoxicillin in plasma is observed one to two hours after its administration. With an increase in the dose of the drug twice as much, its amount in the blood also increases.
Eating does not affect the overall absorption of the drug.
Amoxicillin binds to plasma proteins by 20%. The distribution of the active component in the patient's body occurs in almost all tissues and fluids. The liver has the highest concentration of the drug.
The half-life of the drug in question is about 1-1.5 hours. Almost 60% of an oral dose of amoxicillin is excreted unchanged in the urine. However, a certain amount of this substance is also observed in feces. A longer half-life of amoxicillin is observed in newborns and the elderly.
In the presence of inflammatory processes of the pia mater, the drug is able to penetrate the BBB (but only in small quantities).
Indications for taking an antibiotic
In what cases can patients be prescribed capsules, tablets or Amoxicillin suspension? Indications for use of the medication in question are the following conditions (as monotherapy or in combination with clavulanic acid):
- chronic gastritis, including during an exacerbation;
- ulcer of the duodenum and stomach, including during exacerbation (in the presence of Helicobacter pylori);
- infectious and inflammatory diseases that were provoked by sensitive microorganisms (including tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, cystitis, gonorrhea, urethritis, gastrointestinal tract infections, gynecological infections, infectious diseases of the skin and soft tissues).
The drug "Amoxicillin" (500 mg, 250 mg) is often prescribed in the presence of serious diseases such as:
- sepsis;
- shigellosis;
- salmonellosis or salmonellosis;
- leptospirosis
- meningitis;
- listeriosis;
- tick-borne borreliosis;
- endocarditis (for prevention).
Contraindications
When can’t you use capsules, tablets or Amoxicillin suspension? Contraindications to the use of this drug are conditions such as:
- diathesis of allergic origin;
- infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of a severe form, including if the patient has diarrhea and vomiting;
- hay fever;
- infectious mononucleosis;
- lymphocytic leukemia;
- bronchial asthma;
- respiratory viral infections;
- high sensitivity of the patient to penicillins and cephalosporins.
It should also be said that the use of "Amoxicillin" in conjunction with "Metronidazole" is prohibited:
- with violations of blood formation
- diseases of the nervous system;
- infectious lymphocytic leukemia or mononucleosis;
- pronounced sensitivity to nitroimidazole and its derivatives.
The use of the drug in question together with clavulanic acid is unacceptable in case of impaired liver function (including a history of jaundice) and jaundice.
The medicine "Amoxicillin": instructions for use
Tablets for adult patients, as well as children, starting from the age of ten, should be prescribed only by the attending physician. The same applies to other forms of release of the drug in question.
At what dosage is Amoxicillin effective? Reviews of experts report that the dose of this drug is selected individually, depending on the severity and type of disease. The instructions say that for oral administration, a single dosage of this drug is 250-500 mg. If the disease is severe, then the amount of medication is increased to 1 g.
Is it possible to give Amoxicillin antibiotic to small children? In pediatric practice, this drug is used quite often. For children 5-10 years old, a single dosage of the drug is 250 mg, for babies 2-5 years old - 125 mg, and for very young children (up to two years) - at the rate of 20 mg / kg.
It must be remembered that for all patients, the interval between doses of the drug should not be less than eight hours.
In the treatment of uncomplicated acute gonorrhea, the medication in question is prescribed in combination with Probenecid in an amount of 3 g (once).
In case of impaired renal function, the interval between doses of the drug should be increased to 12-24 hours (depending on creatinine clearance).
Side effects
What are the negative consequences of the use of Amoxicillin? Patient reviews report adverse reactions such as:
- urticaria, dizziness, erythema, ataxia, Quincke's edema, confusion, rhinitis, depression;
- conjunctivitis, peripheral neuropathies, fever, cramps, joint pain, nausea, eosinophilia, vomiting, anorexia, anaphylactic shock;
- hematopoiesis disorders, superinfection, diarrhea, cholestatic jaundice, constipation, erythema multiforme, epigastric pain, hepatitis, glossitis, epidermal toxic necrolysis, stomatitis; exfoliative dermatitis, pseudomembranous interstitial nephritis.
Interaction with other means
What drugs cannot be combined with Amoxicillin? Reviews of experts report the following:
- an antibiotic reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives;
- simultaneous administration of a drug with bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics causes synergism and antagonism;
- the drug enhances the effect of anticoagulants (indirect), suppressing the intestinal flora, and also reduces the prothrombin index and the synthesis of vitamin K;
- the medication reduces the effect of drugs, as a result of the metabolism of which PABA occurs;
- diuretics, Probenecid, allopurinol, NSAIDs and phenylbutazone reduce tubular secretion of the antibiotic, which can cause an increase in its concentration in the blood;
- laxatives, antacids, aminoglycosides and glucosamine reduce and slow, and vitamin C increases the absorption of amoxicillin.
special instructions
According to the instructions for use, Amoxicillin tablets for adults and children should be used with caution if they are prone to allergic reactions. The same applies to other forms of the drug.
The medication in question in combination with Metronidazole is prohibited for people under eighteen years of age. Also, this drug should not be used for liver diseases.
If combination therapy with Metronidazole is performed, then the patient is forbidden to drink alcohol in any form.
Amoxicillin in small quantities is excreted along with breast milk, and also crosses the placenta. Pregnant women should use the drug only in extreme cases, as directed by a doctor.
The use of "Amoxicillin" (500 mg, 250 mg) in children is possible only with the selection of the correct dose.
Similar drugs (by active ingredient)
What are the analogues of Amoxicillin? Reviews of doctors report that this drug has a number of similar medicines, which contain the same active substance. These include the following drugs: Amosin, Amoxicillin trihydrate, Amoxisar, Amoxicillin Sandoz, Amoxicillin Sulbactam, Flemoxin Solutab, Ecobol and others.
Reviews about the drug and the cost of the drug
What do patients say about an antibiotic such as Amoxicillin? The reviews of those who have ever used this medicine are mostly positive. The reports indicate that after the start of taking the drug, the therapeutic effect is very quickly manifested. Also, patients claim that the antibiotic mentioned is very convenient for both adults and children, since it has several forms of release.
Some reports also say that such a drug can be taken during pregnancy, without fear for the condition of the unborn baby.
As for the reviews of doctors, they are also more positive. At the same time, experts constantly remind that self-medication with such an antibiotic is unacceptable.
The price of the drug in question depends on the manufacturer and the margin of the pharmacy network. Usually the cost of the drug does not exceed 250 rubles. In some pharmacies, such an antibiotic can be purchased at a minimum price of 20-30 rubles.