Amoxicillin is indicated for the treatment of the following bacterial infections when caused by susceptible organisms:

• Respiratory tract, ENT infections: Acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis & laryngitis, lobar & bronchopneumonia, chronic bronchial sepsis.
• Urinary tract infections: Pyelonephritis, cystitis and urethritis.
• Obstetric & gynaecological infections: Bacteriuria in pregnancy, septic abortion, intra-abdominal sepsis and puerperal sepsis.
• Gastro-intestinal infections: Typhoid and paratyphoid.
• Skin & soft tissue infections: Cellulitis, infected wounds and abscesses.
• Generalized infections: Septicemia, bacterial endocarditis, meningitis, peritonitis and osteomyelitis.
• Venereal infections: Gonorrhea and syphilis. Amoxicillin may also be used as prophylactic cover for patients at risk of developing endocarditis when undergoing dental surgery.

Broad spectrum penicillins

Amoxycillin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic, an analog of ampicillin, with a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity against many gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Amoxycillin is bactericidal against susceptible organisms during the stage of active multiplication. It acts through the inhibition of biosynthesis of cell wall mucopeptides.

Ear/Nose/Throat Infection (Mild to Moderate):

• Adult: 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours
• Children: 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours

Ear/Nose/Throat Infection (Severe):

• Adult: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours
• Children: 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours

Lower respiratory tract Infection (Mild/ Moderate/ Severe):

• Adult: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours
• Children: 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours

Skin/skin structure Infection (Mild/Moderate):

• Adult: 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours
• Children: 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours

Skin/skin structure Infection (Severe):

• Adult: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours
• Children: 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours

Genitourinary tract Infection (Mild/ Moderate):

• Adult: 500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours
• Children: 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours

Genitourinary tract Infection (Severe):

• Adult: 875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours
• Children: 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours

Gonorrhea, Acute, uncomplicated ano-genital, and urethral infections in males and females:

• Adult: 3 g as single oral dose
• Prepubertal children: 50 mg/Kg/Amoxycillin, combined with 25 mg/kg Probenecid as a single dose. Since Probenecid is contraindicated in children under 2 years, do not use this regimen in these cases.

Suspension: Shake the bottle well before adding water. Then add 12 tea spoonful (60 ml) of boiled and cooled water to the bottle and shake well to make 100 ml suspension.

Amoxycillin 500 mg Injection:

• Intramuscular : Add 2.5 ml water for injection to Amoxycillin 500 mg injection vial.
• Intravenous : Dissolve Amoxycillin 500 mg injection in 10 ml water for injection.

The simultaneous use of Amoxicillin and an oral contraceptive might cause breakthrough bleeding or pregnancy on rare occasions. Concurrent administration of probenecid delays the excretion of Amoxicillin.

Amoxicillin is contraindicated for patients hypersensitive to penicillin, infectious mononucleosis, neonatal period or babies born of mothers hypersensitive to penicillin

Side effects are mild, rare and infrequent. As with other penicillins, it may induce diarrhea, indigestion or skin rashes that usually stop during treatment and rarely calls for discontinuation of therapy.

Because of its lack of teratogenicity, Amoxicillin can beused safely throughout pregnancy at the normal adult dose. The small amount of Amoxicillin secreted in maternal milk rarely causes problem in the infant. It can therefore be used safely during lactation in most instances.

In renal impairment, the excretion of antibiotic will be delayed and depending on the degree of impairment it may be necessary to reduce the total daily dose.

If encountered, gastro-intestinal symptoms and disturbance of the fluid and electrolyte balance may be evident. They may be treated symptomatically and supportive with attention to the water/ electrolyte balance. In the absence of an adequate fluid intake and urinary output, crystalluria is a possibility and the antibiotic may be removed from the circulation by haemodialysis. Oral administration can cause gastro intestinal symptoms such as transient diarrhoea, nausea and colic which are dose related and a result of local irritation not toxicity.

Store in a cool & dry place protected from light. Amoxicillin suspension and drops should be freshly prepared, stored in a cool dry place preferably in a refrigerator. Reconstituted suspension and drops should be used within 5 days if kept at room temperature or within 7 days if kept in a refrigerator.