Amoxicillin

Lore & Background

It is available as a generic medication and is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

Reader's Guide

Amoxicillin is a moderate-spectrum, bacteriolytic β-lactam antibiotic in the aminopenicillin family. It is taken orally, or less commonly by intramuscular injection or IV bolus. Common adverse effects include nausea and rash; it may increase the risk of yeast infections, and when combined with clavulanic acid, diarrhea. It should not be used in those allergic to penicillin. Its use in pregnancy and breastfeeding does not appear to be harmful. The drug is effective against susceptible Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Streptococcus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus, Haemophilus, Helicobacter, and Moraxella, while Citrobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are resistant. Some E. coli and most clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus have developed resistance. Amoxicillin is recommended as first-line treatment for community-acquired pneumonia, acute otitis media in younger children, and early cutaneous Lyme borreliosis. It is also used in multi-drug regimens for Helicobacter pylori and for post-exposure anthrax prophylaxis. Adverse effects can include rare neurotoxicity at high plasma concentrations and allergic reactions that may be fatal due to anaphylaxis. Between 3 and 10% of children develop a late-onset maculopapular rash.

Did You Know?

• It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
• Between 3 and 10% of children taking amoxicillin develop a late-onset maculopapular rash.