Bacterial infections are quite common conditions. These are caused by microbial attacks when you come in contact with someone who is already infected. Infections can either be chronic (lasting for a long span of time) or acute conditions (a short-term condition). Typical symptoms of a bacterial infection include sneezing, coughing, vomiting, tiredness, and indigestion. Amoxicillin is a widely used antibiotic medication prescribed for the treatment of such infections. You are advised to know the likely drug interactions of amoxicillin.
Antibiotic drugs help stop the further growth of bacteria and help arrest the spread of infections. Penicillin-based drugs are available with relative ease – both through online drugstores as well as pharmacies. However, antibacterial drugs may have very limited / nil effects in containing viral attacks or infections. Also, intake of antibiotics – when you are not affected by an infection – may make these drugs largely ineffective.
Amoxicillin – an antibiotic – is used for intestinal or stomach-based conditions – such as a build-up of H. pylori in your tummy. Not stopping with this extended use, this med may also block a likely relapse of ulcers. You can take amoxicillin either before or after a meal. The dosage plan may involve intake of this med once every 9 to 10 hours. The strength of dosage depends on many factors – such as your medical condition, age, body weight, and presence of other ailments if any. You are advised to take this med even after the signs of infections cease showing up. Those who stopped their medication plan – i.e., without telling their treating physician – mostly encountered a relapse of bacterial infections.
Drug interactions with amoxicillin
Like most other meds, amoxicillin is also likely to work adversely when co-administered with a few other drugs. Owing to such risks, you are advised to make a list of all the meds you are presently taking. Also, include treatment plans – if any – that are being currently pursued. While you are making a list (of medications), include dietary aids, over-the-counter meds, prescription drugs, vitamins, protein supplements, herbal remedies, etc. Upon sharing the list of meds, never make changes to it – i.e., without telling your caregiving team.
Amoxicillin is more likely to interact with drugs like methotrexate. This med is used for autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancers, or skin conditions such as psoriasis. Methotrexate belongs to a class of meds known as antimetabolites. Its key function is to stop and inhibit the spread of cancer-causing cells, by suppressing your immunity level. As methotrexate is highly potent medicine, it may cause a few adverse reactions when you rake it along with amoxicillin. If you observe discomforts such as pain in the abdomen, a severe level of drowsiness, being dizzy as well as a few other abdominal problems (such as vomiting, nausea, or indigestion), you are advised to talk to your caregiver without much delay.
Apart from methotrexate, this antibiotic med is likely to work adversely when taken with blood thinners (anticoagulant meds) such as warfarin/coumadin, and fellow antibiotics like tetracycline drugs, macrolide antibiotics, etc. Those using birth control measures – especially, oral contraceptives (for example – Yasmin / Yaz, etc.) must talk to a qualified medical professional; most of these birth control measures may be rendered ineffective when taken along with amoxicillin. Moreover, those taking anti-gout meds such as allopurinol and/or probenecid must take needful precautions if they are asked to take antibiotics.
These possible risks of drug interactions are one of the reasons why you must never take amoxicillin through the self-medication route or as an over-the-counter med. This med must always be procured based on the advice and prescription of a qualified medical professional. Of the drugs which are likely to interact adversely with amoxicillin (as listed above), each drug interacts in a unique fashion. For example, anti-gout meds (such as probenecid) may reduce the elimination and discharge of amoxicillin. As a result, co-administration of these drugs may result in an excessive build-up of its key chemicals. If left unattended, you may encounter risks such as amoxicillin toxicity. So, if you notice excessive levels of dizziness, drowsy or pains in the tummy, nausea, or vomiting frequently, you are advised to take needful medical attention as quickly as possible.
Intake of other anti-gout meds such as allopurinol is known to form rashes on the skin. A maculopapular rash is likely to develop even when you have some prior allergies. Incidence of rashes is more likely among patients aged less than 14 years. In most instances, these skin conditions may show up as pinkish, flat, and small patches. If these rashes do not go away in less than 5 days, consult with your caregiving team/pharmacist as soon as you possibly can.
Your prothrombin span may get extended when you take blood-thinning drugs with amoxicillin. As a result, you may experience an added risk of bleeding and/or blood loss. It is essential to keep people who took these two drugs (i.e., amoxicillin and coumadin/warfarin) under close watch. The dosage levels are often kept at a bare minimum level in order to avoid possible risks of blood loss or bleeding.
As amoxicillin is likely to influence the reabsorption of estrogen, contraceptives such as birth control pills, skin patches, or vaginal rings – may turn ineffective. You are advised to talk to your physician about the risks of unplanned pregnancies. In such cases, your doctor may advise the use of other birth control measures – i.e., apart from estrogen-linked birth control techniques.
Last but not least, stay away from taking shots of vaccines (especially, live-bacteria-based shots); intake of amoxicillin may counter the effects of such shots. In most cases, your doctor may advise a time interval of at least 10 to 12 weeks from the date of the last dose of amoxicillin. This time gap is needed to ensure the elimination of all possible traces of the antibiotic drug.
In sum, amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug belonging to the penicillin class of meds. If taken along with anti-gout drugs, blood thinning meds, a few antibacterial/bactericidal drugs and birth control pills, it may produce adverse reactions. It is hence highly recommended to read all the instructions listed on the pack prior to starting your medication plan. Above all, talk to your caregiver before taking any other drugs along with amoxicillin.
Education: Bachelor’s in Journalism with a minor in Nutrition from Northwestern University. Experience: 15 years as a health journalist, writing for major publications like The New York Times and TIME, with a focus on diet, exercise, and chronic disease management.
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