Amoxil, also known as amoxicillin, is a penicillin antibiotic that fights bacteria. Amoxicillin is used to treat all types of infections caused by bacteria, including tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and infections of the ear, nose, throat, skin, or urinary tract. This medication can come in liquid or tablet form.

• Take amoxicillin exactly as prescribed by your doctor and follow all directions on your prescription label.
• Take the medication at the same time each day.
• Make sure to shake the medication if it is in liquid form before measuring a dose (you may mix this liquid with water, milk, baby formula, fruit juice, or ginger ale).
• Drink the mixture right away.
• Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms improve.
• Store the medication away from moisture, heat, and light.

Amoxicillin is used to treat bacterial infections and will not treat viral infections like the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which can signify a new infection, so let your doctor know if you experience watery or bloody diarrhea.

Do not use amoxicillin if you are allergic to penicillin antibiotics, such as ampicillin and dicloxacillin. Tell your doctor if you have asthma, liver or kidney disease, bleeding or blood clotting disorder, mononucleosis, or any type of allergy.

Some common side effects of amoxicillin include:

• Abdominal or stomach cramps
• Black, tarry stools
• Bleeding gums
• Bloating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Wheezing
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

There are a wide variety of symptoms that can occur while taking amoxicillin, so contact your doctor if unpleasant symptoms persist.

Important things to remember

Amoxicillin can make birth control pills less effective, so ask your doctor about non-hormonal options to prevent pregnancy. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby and it may not be safe to breastfeed while using this drug. Ask your doctor about any risk.