In the article, we will consider the side effects of Amoxicillin, as well as instructions for it. It is a semi-synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic from the pharmacological category of penicillins. This tool is effective against gram-positive and gram-negative anaerobic microorganisms. In terms of its chemical properties, the main element is close to ampicillin, however, it has a higher bioavailability when taken orally.
The drug is often prescribed to patients during various infectious diseases. Many people complain about the development of numerous side effects from Amoxicillin. Frequent reactions of the body include severe dryness in the mouth, the development of urticaria, and diarrhea. Patients report: “I feel like a drug addict after Amoxicillin. However, beforeto assert that these symptoms arose while taking this medication, it is necessary to clarify its main characteristics and figure out how it acts on the body, as well as which substances from its composition can cause similar physiological conditions.
Composition
Medicine "Amoxicillin" at a dosage of 500 mg is produced in two forms: capsules and tablets.
One capsule contains the active element - amoxicillin at a dose of 500 mg (in the form of amoxicillin trihydrate) and excipients such as sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycolate. Gelatin capsule contains purified water, sodium lauryl sulfate, bronopol, povidone, gelatin, Ponceau 4 R (E124), brilliant blue FCF (E133), titanium dioxide (E171), quinoline yellow (E104).
One tablet contains amoxicillin trihydrate as an active ingredient, as well as excipients: talc, potato starch, tween, magnesium stearate.
Pharmacological properties
According to the instructions for use for Amoxicillin 500 mg tablets, this is an antibacterial acid-resistant bactericidal broad-spectrum agent from the category of semi-synthetic penicillins. It contributes to the suppression of transpeptidase, disruption of the synthesis of peptidoglycan (the supporting protein of cell walls) during the period of growth and division, provokes the lysis of bacterial cells. Clinically significant gram-negative microorganisms sensitive to the main substance of this medication: Escherichia coli, Klebsiellaspp., Salmonella, Proteus mirabilis, Shigella, Haemophilus influenzae, Campylobacter, Leptospira, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia, Neisseria meningitidis.
In addition, the drug is highly active against gram-positive aerobic microorganisms: Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. (with the exception of strains that produce penicillinase). "Amoxicillin" also has activity against Helicobacter pylori, but does not affect indole-positive Proteus strains. Mycoplasmas, rickettsia, and viruses are also resistant to its action. Microorganisms that have the ability to produce penicillinase are resistant to amoxicillin. The effect of the drug develops 15-30 minutes after ingestion and lasts approximately 8 hours.
The active element is quickly absorbed after taking. The effect of food on the absorption of amoxicillin has been partially studied. Amoxicillin penetrates most fluids and tissues, with the exception of the cerebrospinal fluid and the brain, unless the membranes of the brain are affected by the inflammatory process. The half-life of amoxicillin is 1 hour. The main part is excreted in the urine, binds to plasma proteins by 20%. The maximum level in the blood is observed after 1-2 hours and is approximately 3.5 μg / ml - 5 μg / ml. About 60% of the substance is excreted by the kidneys.
Indications for use
What else can you learn from the instructions for use for tablets "Amoxicillin" 500 mg? The drug is prescribed for inflammatory diseases of the infectiousgenesis, such as:
- infections of ENT organs and upper respiratory canals (sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute otitis media);
- infection of the lower respiratory canals (chronic and acute bronchitis, pneumonia);
- infectious diseases of the genitourinary system (pyelitis, chronic and acute pyelonephritis, cystitis, gonorrhea, urethritis);
- gynecological diseases (cervicitis, endometritis);
- infections of the digestive tract (typhoid fever, enterocolitis, salmonellosis, shigellosis, salmonella carriage);
- peptic ulcer, chronic gastritis, provoked by Helicobacter pylori as part of combined treatment;
- infections of the bile ducts (cholecystitis, cholangitis);
- infections of soft tissues and skin surface (impetigo, erysipelas, secondarily infected dermatosis);
- leptospirosis;
- latent and acute listeriosis;
- borreliosis (Lyme disease);
- endocarditis of an infectious nature of origin, for example enterococcal.
Dosage and method of administration
Indications and dosage of "Amoxicillin" must be strictly observed. The drug is taken orally. Children after 10 years (body weight over 40 kg) and adult patients are prescribed 500 mg 3 times a day; with a complex course of an infectious disease - 1 g 3 times a day. The interval between doses of the medication should be strictly observed - 8 hours. The maximum dose per day should not be more than 6 g. The course of drug therapy is from 5 to 12 days. It is recommended to continue taking the drug for another 48-72 hours after stabilizationbody temperature or reliable destruction of the infectious agent.
In uncomplicated acute gonorrhea, men are prescribed 3 g of medication once. Women are recommended to take this dosage twice with an interval of 10-12 hours due to the likelihood of multiple lesions and the presence of an ascending inflammatory process with a transition to the organs located in the small pelvis.
Child dosages
At the age of less than 10 years, this medicine is mainly prescribed in the form of a suspension, since the dosing of the medicine in capsules is difficult.
In pediatrics, "Amoxicillin" in encapsulated form is applicable only if the daily dosage is at least 500 mg. If this dose is taken in the morning and in the evening, it is best to use tablets that can be divided into two parts - 250 mg each.
If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible, without waiting for the next dose, and then observe equal time intervals between doses.
Side effects of Amoxicillin
When taking a pharmacological drug, the following side effects may occur:
- Allergic phenomena: flushing of the skin, urticaria, erythema, rhinitis, angioedema, conjunctivitis, joint pain, febrile syndrome, fever, eosinophilia, exudative erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, anaphylactic shock. Urticaria after "Amoxicillin" is a fairly common phenomenon. This is confirmed by numerous reviews.about the drug. And it happens to both children and adults. Also, allergic dermatitis occurs after "Amoxicillin", which is also quite unpleasant.
- Digestive system: change in taste, dysbacteriosis, nausea, vomiting, glossitis, stomatitis, violation of the functional properties of the liver, a moderate increase in the activity of liver transaminases, itching in the anus, pseudomembranous colitis. Very many patients had diarrhea after "Amoxicillin". Somehow this drug has an extremely negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Nervous system: psychomotor agitation or agitation, anxiety, ataxia, insomnia, confusion, depression, behavioral changes, cephalalgia, peripheral neuropathy, dizziness, aseptic-type meningitis, convulsions. What other side effects of Amoxicillin occur?
- Urinary system: acute interstitial nephritis, crystalluria.
- Lab values: neutropenia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, anemia, thrombocytopenic purpura.
- Other side effects: shortness of breath, candidiasis of the oral and vaginal mucosa, tachycardia, superinfection (more often in patients with chronic pathologies or reduced body resistance), discoloration of teeth in children.
Next, find out if Amoxicillin has contraindications.
List of contraindications
The medicine is contraindicated for use in such cases:
- lymphocytic leukemia;
- diseases of the digestive tract in anamnesis (especially colitis due to the useantibiotics);
- infectious mononucleosis;
- high sensitivity to the components of the composition (including other penicillins, carbapenems, cephalosporins).
During pregnancy and lactation
The instruction prohibits the use of "Amoxicillin" during breastfeeding. The antibiotic passes into milk and can harm the baby. If there is a need for therapy, feeding should be suspended. The use of the drug during pregnancy has its own characteristics. Penicillins can cross the placenta and accumulate there. The concentration of "Amoxicillin" in the amniotic fluid reaches 25-30 percent of the level in the blood plasma of a pregnant woman, this is a big risk for the development of the fetus.
Drug Interactions
If pronounced side effects occur, it is necessary to take into account not only the direct effect on the body of this medication, but also its interaction with other medicines.
The active element of this drug is not destroyed in the acidic gastric environment. Glucosamine, antacids, laxatives, aminoglycosides reduce and slow down the absorption of "Amoxicillin", and vitamin C enhances it.
Bactericidal antibiotics (in particular, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, rifampicin, vancomycin) have a synergistic effect, bacteriostatic drugs (macrolides, sulfonamides, lincosamides, chloramphenicol, tetracyclines) have an antagonistic effect.
This medicine increases the effectindirect anticoagulants (suppresses the intestinal microflora, reduces the prothrombin index and the synthesis of vitamin K), reduces the effect of oral estrogen-containing contraceptives.
"Amoxicillin" reduces the clearance and increases the toxicity of methotrexate, enhances the absorption of digoxin.
Allopurinol, diuretics, oxyphenbutazone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, phenylbutazone, tubular secretion blockers increase the level of amoxicillin in the blood. Allopurinol increases the likelihood of skin rashes.
Special Recommendations
Of course, it is important to find out everything about the contraindications of Amoxicillin before taking it. But there are other recommendations as well. In accordance with the instructions for use, this medication should be used with caution in the presence of allergic pathologies, high sensitivity to penicillins, carbapenems, cephalosporins, bleeding and a history of renal failure.
With long-term treatment, it is recommended to periodically monitor the functions of the liver, kidneys, and conduct blood tests. In patients with kidney failure and the elderly, the excretion of the main substance from the body may slow down, so some care must be taken when prescribing the drug to these groups of patients. In patients with reduced urine output, crystalluria may occur, and therefore it is advisable to take a large amount of fluid during the reception.
When treating with this drug, it is also necessary to take into accountlikelihood of superinfection with bacterial and mycotic pathogens. In this case, it is recommended to cancel the medication and prescribe appropriate therapy.
False-positive results may occur during treatment if chemical methods are used to test urinary glucose levels.
Overdose
Conceived the symptoms of an overdose of this or that medication, people mistakenly for side effects. When increasing the dose of the drug, not agreed with the doctor, the following conditions may occur:
- Dyspeptic disorders (vomiting, nausea), diarrhea, changes in water and electrolyte balance (as a result of vomiting and diarrhea).
- It is not uncommon for patients to have a fever. Dry mouth after Amoxicillin is also common.
In case of an overdose, the patient should be provided with appropriate medical assistance, which consists in urgent gastric lavage, taking activated charcoal, saline laxatives, drugs to maintain electrolyte balance. In severe cases, hemodialysis is used.
Analogues
The main analogues of the drug "Amoxicillin 500 mg" can be drugs from the group of fluoroquinolones and macrolides, including:
- Azithromycin;
- "Sumamed";
- Fromilid;
- Erythromycin;
- Macrofoam.
These drugs are also prescribed if the treatment with "Amoxicillin" did not give a positive result, that is, this antibiotic could not destroy pathogenicmicroorganisms. In addition, it is replaced with analogues in the case when the patient has severe side effects.
What do the doctors say?
Doctors note that patients' complaints about side effects from taking Amoxicillin are a frequent occurrence. This is due to the fact that any antibiotic is toxic, and the human body reacts to it quite painfully. With prolonged use of an antibiotic, dysbacteriosis may occur, which is accompanied by complaints of abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea. A frequent complaint - after taking "Amoxicillin" a rash appeared. Sometimes there are side effects such as a violation of the digestive processes, which manifests itself in the form of heartburn, nausea, and belching. Often, patients experience diarrhea, which is caused by the death of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal mucosa.
Some patients have kidney pain after "Amoxicillin". According to doctors, people who do not have problems with the urinary system, as a rule, tolerate this remedy well. If there are any kidney diseases, the patient may feel pain in the back, impaired urination, etc. This is due to the fact that the process of removing the drug from the body is difficult.
Many are interested in the question of whether it is normal that after taking "Amoxicillin" the temperature has risen. Experts point out that hyperthermia is a reaction of the immune system to pathogen cells. Therefore, the drug itself cannot raise the temperature directly, but it is able to provokeallergic reactions.
