This drug was obtained by British experts in 1960. His trials continued for twelve years. According to statistics, Amoxicillin is the world's most famous antibiotic used in the treatment of childhood diseases. Given that sales of this medication have been carried out for more than four decades, we can state its high efficiency. After all, it is still widely used throughout the world.
The composition and properties of antibiotic Amoxicillin
This drug has an antibacterial effect. It belongs to the penicillin group. One of the features is that, getting into the stomach, it almost does not decompose, retaining its properties.
The principle of action of this drug is characterized by the fact that it effectively inhibits the growth and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria in the first place. However, intoxication occurs during treatment. In this regard, the use of antihistamines in combination with heavy drinking is recommended before taking.
Alcohol intake during the course of treatment is dangerous and can lead to serious consequences. In some severe cases, even fatal outcome is possible. If such a situation arises, you must immediately call a doctor.
In pregnancy, treatment with Amoxicillin is permitted only if it is used under the supervision of a physician.
Use of the drug for the treatment of newborns is considered safe. Its active ingredient is Amoxicillin Trihydrate.
As is known, the therapeutic effect of penicillin antibiotics is that they are capable of disrupting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. In this case, the effect of the drug extends to such pathogenic bacteria that have a high sensitivity to it.
Basically, the medicine is effective in the following cases:
- in relation to aerobic gram-positive bacteria (this, in particular, staphylococci and streptococci);
- in relation to gram-negative pathogens of gonorrhea, salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella and Klebsiella.
Indications for use, contraindications
This medicine may help in the treatment of a large number of diseases. Among them:
Diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In particular, this applies to laryngitis, sinusitis and tracheitis.- Bronchitis and pneumonia.
- Diseases of the urogenital area. This applies to cystitis, gonorrhea, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, prostatitis and urethritis.
- Cholecystitis.
- Gastritis and gastric ulcer.
- Erysipelas.
- Salmonellosis and dysentery.
- Meningitis, endocarditis and myocarditis.
Diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In particular, this applies to laryngitis, sinusitis and tracheitis.Not all of this drug is indicated. In some cases, its use is not recommended:
- Those who have individual intolerance to various penicillin antibiotics.
- Patients with bronchial asthma.
- With ulcerative colitis.
- During breastfeeding.
- In the presence of skin allergic reactions without consulting a doctor.
- If the child has diathesis.
- When liver failure.
Older people, as well as patients with poor health, should use the drug with caution.
When used, the possible side effects:
- allergic reactions;
- violation of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.
The latter circumstance is due to the fact that the drug destroys the pathogenic bacteria that leave behind toxic decomposition products.
When the drug is used to treat pregnant women, you need to consider the following: it does not have any effect on the development of the fetus and is considered completely harmless to the child. However, the use of Amoxicillin may provoke internal bleeding, so it is not recommended to take it without medical supervision.
Method of administration and dosage
In most cases, the drug is sold in capsules of 500 ml. Sometimes capsules of 125, 250 or 1000 ml are used.
It was mastered the production of drugs in dispersing form. We are talking about tablets, which dissolve, if you hold them in your mouth for some time. For accelerated absorption of the drug, the tablet can be chewed. There is no need to wash down the medicine in this form of release. Moreover, more than 90% of the drug is absorbed into the blood. In this case, the degree of assimilation is comparable to the situation when injections are used.
The usual course for inflammatory diseases lasts ten days. During the day, three doses of Amoxicillin 500 ml after a meal. It is believed that the tablets should be washed down with alkaline mineral water to enhance the therapeutic effect. You can drink milk. At the same time it is necessary to ensure that there is enough liquid.
If the disease is severe, it is allowed to double the dosage. A child who is between five and ten years old should take 250 ml of Amoxicillin at a time.
In the process of treating acute gonorrhea, the rules of application change. In this case, the reception is not three, but once a day. In this case, take six tablets of 0.5 grams.
In the presence of acute intestinal infections, a different dosage is applied. The reception is carried out three times a day, 3-4 tablets of 500 mg. The course duration in this case will be five days.
If the medicine is intended for children under two years of age, the dose to be taken is calculated individually. It should be based on the weight of the baby. For every kilogram should be 20 ml of the drug. The course of treatment is usually ten days.
When a child is sick, which is no more than five years old, not only pills are used, but also a suspension. This especially applies to the youngest age. In this case, you must not forget to drink the drug with plenty of water.
I would like to draw attention to the fact that some people who have successfully used this drug in the past expect it to help in all such cases. In fact, this is not always the case. There are several situations when the medicine will be obviously ineffective. One example is the attempt to use it for the treatment of viral infections, such as influenza.
There are also varieties of bacteria in relation to which the drug has no effect. This is another reason why it is advisable to consult a doctor when using this drug.
What is the difference between Amoxicillin and Ampicillin
If you carefully read the instructions for use of each of these two drugs, between them you can find a lot of similar. The question arises about how interchangeable these drugs are? Is it possible to use one of them in the course of treatment, replacing the other with it?
Yet there is a difference between them. It consists in the fact that Ampicillin is less stable in the body. It is slowly absorbed and excreted much faster. Therefore, in order for the treatment to be as effective as possible, it is necessary to significantly increase the dose of the drug.
Moreover, more than 60% of the drug is not absorbed into the body at all, without any effect. Conversely, if we talk about Amoxicillin, with various forms of release in the body absorbed from 80% to 95% of the medication.
Another difference is that Ampicillin has an injectable release form, of which Amoxicillin is deprived. Therefore, in cases where intramuscular injection is necessary, it is more advantageous to use Ampicillin.
It remains to be noted that both drugs affect the same types of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, if the use of one of them did not produce any result, then both will be ineffective.
Amoxicillin is an effective drug that is largely considered harmless. Applying it according to the instructions, you can cure a number of diseases. However, before using it, you should consult with your doctor.
