Amoxil (Amoxicillin) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

May 24, 2012

Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home.
Sore throat symptoms include pain, burning or scratching sensations at the back of the throat, pain when swallowing, and tenderness in the neck. Sore throat symptoms may be accompanied by coughing, sneezing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Home remedies for sore throat include saltwater gargles, sprays, lozenges and humidifiers. Do not give lozenges to young children as they are a choking hazard.
Any sore throat that has a rapid onset and is associated with a fever or tenderness of the front of the neck may be serious and should be seen by a doctor.
Any sore throat that causes a person to have difficulty swallowing (not just pain with swallowing) or breathing should be seen by a health care ...

Amoxil

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Patients should be advised that AMOXIL may be taken every 8 hours or every 12 hours, depending on the dose prescribed.
Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs, including AMOXIL, should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold). When AMOXIL is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may: (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment, and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by AMOXIL or other antibacterial drugs in the future.
Patients should be counseled that diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics, and it usually ends when the antibiotic is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as 2 or more months after having taken their last dose of the antibiotic. If this occurs, patients should contact their physician as soon as possible.
Patients should be aware that AMOXIL contains a penicillin class drug product that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/6/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.