Many millennia before man appeared on Earth, the entire surface of our planet was inhabited by various kinds of microorganisms. Since then, they have been living side by side - man and microflora. Moreover, among hundreds of thousands of different groups of bacteria, there are those without which a person simply could not exist. Conversely, the proximity to some microorganisms can seriously threaten human health, and even his life. It is for the fight against the latter that microbiological scientists are developing special medications called antibiotics. One of these drugs is Amoxil, the instructions for use of which describe it as a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics
The main active ingredient of Amoxil is amoxicillin trihydrate. As auxiliary components, calcium stearate, potato starch and low molecular weight medical polyvinylpyrrolidone act. The main component - amoxicillin - is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is part of the aminopenicillin group. The substance is characterized by a bactericidal mechanism of action, which is an active suppression of the synthesis of the cell wall of bacteria sensitive to amoxicillin. The well - known gram-positive bacteria such as staphylococcus and streptococcus fall within the amoxicillin influence. The drug is active against a number of gram-negative and anaerobic microorganisms. In tandem with metronidazole, it affects bacteria that contribute to the development of peptic ulcer in the stomach and duodenum.
Once inside the body, the Amoxil antibiotic, whose instructions detail all the information about the drug, is actively absorbed and after 2 hours reaches its maximum concentration in blood serum. The elimination half-life from an organism makes 1,5 hours. The drug leaves through the kidneys almost unchanged (60-70%).
Main consumers
Since Amoxil has a wide sphere of influence, the patients taking the drug are people with a variety of diseases. Amoxil tablets are recommended for patients suffering from respiratory tract infections: upper (tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media) and lower (pneumonia, bronchitis). A medication is also effective for diseases of the biliary tract and gastrointestinal tract.
Diseases of the urinary system also respond to Amoxil. Here we can talk about pyelonephritis, cystitis, asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women. In addition, medical specialists prescribe a medication in the treatment of acute stages of uncomplicated gonorrhea, infections of the skin and soft tissues.
In addition, its combined (together with other drugs) use is possible and quite effective. "Amoxil" in tandem with clarithromycin or metronidazole is used for therapeutic therapy in diseases of the digestive system provoked by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (chronic forms of gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer).
Who is not recommended to take Amoxil?
The medication is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to the main active ingredient, auxiliary components, groups of penicillins and cephalosporins. You can not take this drug with mononucleosis and lymphocytic leukemia. The combined use of Amoxil with metronidazole is unacceptable for diseases of the nervous system, deviations in the functioning of the hematopoiesis system. In the same tandem, the drug should not be prescribed to patients younger than 18 years of age suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, which are accompanied by prolonged vomiting or diarrhea.
Also, "Amoxil", the instructions for use of which describe in detail the contraindications to taking the drug, are forbidden to take to patients suffering from severe pathologies and abnormalities in the functioning of the liver. It is unacceptable to consume alcohol during the combined treatment course.
Dosage regimens
The drug is produced by manufacturers in tablets with a dosage of 250, 500 and 625 mg. Amoxil is prescribed orally, regardless of food intake. The dosage and treatment regimen is selected by the doctor, taking into account the disease and the severity of the patient's condition. For adults and children over 10 years (with a body weight of at least 40 kg), a single dose should be from 250 to 500 mg. In especially severe conditions, up to 1 gram of Amoxil is prescribed. Instructions for use for children recommends prescribing a medicine based on the following calculations:
Age of the child (years) | Single dose (mg) |
5-10 | 250 |
2-5 | 125 |
Up to 2 | Daily - 30 mg / kg body weight |
Regardless of the patient's age, the interval between doses should be at least 8 hours.
In people with impaired renal function, the interval between doses should be increased to 12 hours. For people suffering from anuria, the daily rate of Amoxil may not exceed 2 grams.
In what cases is the drug "Amoxil-625" prescribed? The instructions for use, in addition to all the above indications, recommends taking this tool to suppress dental infections (including for the treatment of dentoalveolar abscess), as well as joint and bone infections (including osteomyelitis). An effective medicine at this dosage for septic abortions, postpartum and intraabdominal sepsis, burns, abscesses and wound infections.
Features of the use of Amoxil
In the process of drug treatment (especially in high doses), experts recommend maintaining adequate diuresis. In order to avoid the development of crystalluria, it is necessary to take a sufficient amount of liquid. Long-term use of Amoxil or a second course of treatment with the same drug after a short period of time can give impetus to the development of superinfection and accelerate the growth of resistant microflora. Regardless of the dosage (250 mg or Amoxil 500), the instructions for use recommend that children maintain oral hygiene, as the main active ingredient is able to change the color of tooth enamel. Patients whose professional activity is associated with the implementation of work requiring a high concentration of attention, "Amoxil" should be prescribed with caution, since side effects from the nervous system are possible.
During lactation, it is undesirable to take this medicine, since it is excreted in breast milk, which can lead to sensitization of the baby (increased sensitivity to the active component, the possibility of allergic reactions).
Any dosage of the drug, even Amoxil 250, the instruction does not recommend for women taking estrogen-containing contraceptives, since amoxicillin reduces their effectiveness. The drug is eliminated through the kidneys if, in combination with Amoxil, the patient takes indomethacin, acetylsallicylic acid (aspirin), sulfinpyrazone, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone.
Excess dose
Symptoms of exceeding a single dosage of the medication are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, deviation from the norm of indicators of water-electrolyte balance. To eliminate the consequences, gastric lavage is performed, the use of absorbent preparations (in particular activated carbon), salt laxatives is prescribed, measures are taken to correct the water-electrolyte balance. In severe cases, hemodialysis may be required (blood purification outside the kidneys).
Possible side effects
What side effects does the Amoxil antibiotic have? Instructions for use describe possible problems from various body systems.
The gastrointestinal tract may respond to Amoxil intake by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, the development of hemorrhagic or pseudomembranous colitis, intestinal candidiasis is possible. From the urinary system, the development of interstitial nephritis is often observed. Manifestations of the same disease can be expected from the hematopoietic system. Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, crystalluria also sometimes develop. A negative reaction to Amoxil from the nervous system can result in seizures, dizziness, and a state of hyperactivity. Various allergic reactions sometimes appear (rash, skin itching, urticaria, conjunctivitis, allergic vasculitis, angioedema).
What else is dangerous with Amoxil? Instructions, patient reviews and numerous studies confirm that the effect of the drug can provoke the development of anaphylaxis, erythema multiforme, candidiasis of the mucous membranes and skin, cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (malignant erythema).
Amoxil and angina
Angina is popularly called an infectious process, manifested in inflammation of the components of the lymphatic pharyngeal ring. Most often, tonsils are involved in the process. Inflammation is caused by streptococci or staphylococci. In the bulk of cases, to combat this bacterial disease, medical specialists prefer to use antibiotics of the penicillin group. One of these drugs is Amoxil. Tablets for use recommends prescribing regardless of food intake. At the same time, they should be swallowed whole and washed down with water. Typically, the drug is taken at intervals of at least 8 hours. However, the treatment regimen and dosage can be selected individually by the attending physician depending on the severity of the patient's condition.
The pediatrician usually prescribes Amoxil 250 for the treatment of children. The instructions describe the dosage regimen depending on the age and weight of the child. Babies up to 2 years of age are usually prescribed a daily norm equal to 30 mg of the drug per kilogram of weight. The total dose should be divided into 3 doses. Children of the age group from 2 to 5 years old are prescribed 125 mg of medication once a day. From the age of 5 to 10 years, a single daily intake is 250 mg. For adolescents from 12 years old, 1 tablet (625 mg) is prescribed once for the treatment of angina. The interval between doses is 12 hours.
For the treatment of bacterial tonsillitis in adult patients, therapists prescribe Amoxil 500. The instructions for use describe the treatment regimen in the form of a single dose of 500 mg. In the case of a severe course of the process, the doctor may prescribe a single dose of the drug up to 1 gram. The maximum daily dose for angina should not exceed 6 grams. "Amoxil" in a dosage of 625 mg is often prescribed for the treatment of tonsillitis. Tablets are taken once with an interval of 12 hours. If the patient suffers from chronic renal failure, he is given a dose of 625 mg once with a sore throat. Patients on hemodialysis, after the procedure, additionally take 1 tablet of the drug.
In any case, the treatment regimen with Amoxil for angina should be selected by the attending doctor.
Interaction of Amoxil with other drugs
As mentioned earlier, the use of Amkosil by women using oral contraceptives is undesirable, since the effectiveness of the latter is reduced. In addition, bleeding may develop. If the patient suffers from diseases of the cardiovascular system (in particular, arrhythmia) and takes digoxin, then the simultaneous administration of Amoxil will enhance its absorption (digoxin).
While taking medications with a bacteriostatic effect (macrolides, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol), and the Amoxil medication, the instructions for use inform patients that the bactericidal effect of amoxicillin, the main active component of Amoxil, will be neutralized.
If for some reason there is a need for forced diuresis (heavy drinking and the simultaneous use of diuretics), the concentration of the drug in the body will be reduced. With the simultaneous administration of Amoxil and Allopurinol (prescribed for patients with elevated levels of uric acid in the blood), the incidence of allergic reactions from the skin can increase.
Joint administration of antacids (medications intended for the treatment of acid-dependent gastrointestinal diseases by neutralizing hydrochloric acid of gastric juice) and Amoxil (tablets) is undesirable. Instructions for use inform that in this case the absorption of amoxicillin will be reduced.
A complex administration of Amoxil and anticoagulants (substances and medicines that inhibit the blood coagulation system and prevent blood clots) are carefully prescribed. In this case, constant monitoring of prothrombin time is required, since the likelihood of bleeding is quite high.
Manifestations from the digestive system in the form of diarrhea reduce the absorption of drugs, as a result of which the effect of Amoxil is worsened. The use of this antibiotic can reduce the content of estradiol (the most active female sex hormone - estrogen) in the urine of pregnant women.
Consumer Considerations for Amoxil
A group of antibiotics can be attributed to fairly aggressive substances. For this reason, reviews about Amoxil have a different focus, both positive and negative.
A fairly large group of consumers describes their experience with the use of the drug Amoxil for children. Reviews for the most part have a positive connotation. Many parents note the rapid bactericidal effect of amoxicillin on the child's body. Against the background of vivid manifestations of acute bronchitis (fever, dry cough, wheezing), the drug is able to cope with the infection in 7-10 days.
For some patients, this antibiotic was prescribed due to dental problems. After surgery for the removal of cysts, Amoxil was prescribed by the dentists. The instruction (500 mg - dosage for an adult patient) regulated the administration of 1 tablet twice a day. Basically, patients write that the treatment course took no more than 5 days and was quite effective. Wound infection did not occur, the healing process was quick.
A separate group of consumers took the drug for problems in the fields of otorhinolaryngology (sinusitis) and urinary tract (cystitis, pyelonephritis). Patients write that relief occurs already on the 2-3rd day of taking the drug.
Against the backdrop of all these positive feedback from consumers, there are negative reviews about the drug. Quite often, patients say that during the administration of Amoxil they had adverse reactions from the gastrointestinal tract. The most common manifestations are dysbiosis, flatulence, bloating, alternating states of diarrhea and constipation. To resolve the situation, some patients took probiotics (substances and biologically active additives containing live microcultures, mainly bifidobacteria and lactobacilli).
Many people rated the drug as an effective medicine for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, but with pneumonia with signs of intoxication, Amoxil turned out to be rather weak. In these cases, inpatient treatment and complex therapy were carried out.
There is a group of patients who needed treatment for burns, various kinds of abscesses, infected wound surfaces of the skin. In these cases, doctors also often prescribed Amoxil. Instructions for use, patient reviews and medical supervision indicate the advisability of prescribing the drug, since it has a high degree of effectiveness.
Female patients write that they took Amoxil in such difficult situations for themselves as septic abortion, postpartum sepsis. And in these cases, the drug confirmed its “powers” of a broad-spectrum antibiotic and successfully coped with serious diseases of the female genital area.
In any case, no matter how simple his illness may seem to the patient, self-medication is an unacceptably frivolous attitude to his own health. , , , , , .
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