Antibiotic meds are available under several categories. Each category is unique based on the way it functions, and its chemical composition. Meds of this genre can destroy microbes and are called bactericides. A few can paralyse bacteria, and are bacteriostatic meds. Then there is broad-spectrum antibiotics managing a large number of infections. Narrow spectrum drugs are effective on a few microbes only. In this light can you take amoxicillin for bronchitis? It is useful to know it in greater detail.
Meds called as antibiotics are taken for stopping infections triggered by bacteria. A few drugs can slowdown microbial growth while the rest kills bacteria. Outcomes are essentially helpful to humans. But you need to know antibiotics do not manage infections triggered by fungi or viruses; your caregivers may prescribe antifungals and antivirals, as needed.
In this milieu, what is amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic drug, introduced for wider use in the early-1970s. This drug fares as one among WHO’s listing of essential drugs. It is also one of the popular meds offered to children in the US. In terms of annual prescriptions, count has already crossed the 19-million milestone. As per reliable secondary data sources, it is among top-30 widely-prescribed drugs in US.
Amoxicillin
It belongs to a sub-genre called aminopenicillin. It is of moderate-spectrum kind. This drug is labelled as a bacteriolytic-med owing to its capability to breakdown cellular membranes of bacteria. It is used for treating infections caused by both gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial strands.
Here, you need to know that gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan while gram-positive microbes are a thicker peptidoglycan. As this med is easily absorbed, it remains as a popular choice among caregivers to treat bacterial infections.
But, is amoxicillin good for bronchitis?
Bronchitis is an infection of the finer-tubes (called bronchioles) leading to the lungs. Due to infections, these tubes witness an inflammation, and start making excessive amount of mucus.
It is unlikely of bacteria to cause acute episodes of bronchitis. Instead, viral infections are commonly known to cause bronchitis. Also, there is very limited evidences on benefits of taking amoxicillin or other such meds to treat these respiratory conditions.
In general, antibiotics are not considered as first-line meds for treatment of bronchitis. But if your treating team decides to manage coughing-spells with antibiotics meds, amoxicillin is considered as one of the foremost drugs.
How many days to take amoxicillin for bronchitis?
The immediate-release version of amoxicillin is used for treating conditions like bronchitis. Dosages of 500 milligram (mg) are offered through oral route, once per eight hours’ time. In some cases, doses as high as 850 mg are prescribed once per 12 hours’ time. It may take more than 3 – 4 days’ time for such doses to take full effect. This antibiotic med is effective against infections in the respiratory tract caused by Staphylococcus, H influenza and Streptococcus bacteria only.
Amoxicillin for bronchitis dosage
Dosages offered for adults range from 500 mg – offered thrice each day or 900 mg – prescribed twice per day. In case of children aged 3 months or below, doses are linked to body weight of babies. Maximum dosage for babies must never exceed 30 mg per kg of body weight within a 24-hour timeline.
Such doses are divided as 2 or 3 dosages, to avoid toxic conditions. For patients aged above 4 months, a dosage strength of 40 mg per kg of weight per day is offered – orally, as 3 equally-disturbed doses. Your physician may also offer 45 mg per kg each day divided as 2 equal-doses, in some cases.
In case of patients weighing 40 kg or above, dose of 500 mg is offered thrice per day. Alternatively, a dosage of 850 mg is prescribed as 2 distinctive-doses each day. You are advised to consult with a chest physician to know more about antibiotics especially use of amoxicillin for bronchitis.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Florida. Experience: 5 years as a pharmacist and medical writer, creating content on medication management and pharmaceutical news for healthcare blogs and patient education sites.
