Amoxicillin is a common drug. One reason for this is that it is effective for a wide range of conditions, but there are some bacteria that the drug cannot effectively fight. This medication can be described as user friendly because it is available in numerous forms and can be administered to groups that tend to require special considerations, such as pregnant women and children. One of the drawbacks of taking amoxicillin, however, is that it must be administered often to be effective.
Amoxicillin is a drug from the penicillin family that is used for the treatment of bacterial infections. The drug is commonly commended for its absorption properties because it can spread throughout most of the body’s tissues and fluids. As a result, taking amoxicillin can effectively treat a wide range of conditions, such as bronchitis, gonorrhea, and skin infections. One of amoxicillin’s drawbacks, however, is that certain enzymes can negate its effects. As such, there are some strains of bacteria for which this medication cannot be used.
A commonly noted benefit of amoxicillin is that it can be administered in numerous forms. It is available in both powder and drops for instances when it will be given as an oral suspension. The medication can be prescribed as capsules or chewable tablets, and it can also be given intravenously. Furthermore, food is not generally required to take this medication, but patients are not required to take it on an empty stomach either.
It has been found that this drug crosses the placenta. Studies have also found it present in breast milk. Despite these findings, however, medical professionals tend to believe that taking amoxicillin is safe for both pregnant and breastfeeding women. In many cases, this is the preferred method of chlamydia treatment for expecting mothers. Amoxicillin is also believed to be safe for the consumption of children, who are often given bubble-gum flavored varieties of the medicine.
Amoxicillin is widely used and widely available. Patients generally have the option to choose a brand-name version of this drug, or they may choose one that is generic. In many places, it can be obtained at very economical prices even for those without health care coverage. Another of its drawbacks, however, is that the body metabolizes and eliminates the drug fairly quickly. This means that for effective treatment patients are normally required to take the medication several times per day to keep the drug active in their systems.
As is the case with most medications, taking amoxicillin presents the risk of experiencing side effects. Many medical sources report that diarrhea is the most common side effect and that amoxicillin is more likely than most other antibiotics to cause this problem. Other common problems that result from this drug include vomiting, nausea, and rashes. Though they occur less commonly than some other side effects, severe allergic reactions can result from taking amoxicillin. These incidents may be characterized by difficulty breathing, swelling, and hives.