Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is an <a href="/facts/Antibiotic/sF1kIfxg">antibiotic</a> medication belonging to the <a href="/facts/Aminopenicillin/UN3g0dme">aminopenicillin</a> class of the <a href="/facts/Penicillin/Abo8VQ3p">penicillin</a> family. The drug is used to treat <a href="/facts/Bacterial_infection/X5QcVN5j">bacterial infections</a> such as <a href="/facts/Acute_otitis_media/m9g53GBM">middle ear infection</a>, <a href="/facts/Strep_throat/bp4ATM2j">strep throat</a>, <a href="/facts/Pneumonia/Jw0KquTA">pneumonia</a>, <a href="/facts/Cellulitis/hCIm7nzQ">skin infections</a>, <a href="/facts/Odontogenic_infections/00nA3xct">odontogenic infections</a>, and <a href="/facts/Urinary_tract_infection/4NwY9tL0">urinary tract infections</a>. It is taken <a href="/facts/Oral_administration/vNQcvLVx">orally</a> (swallowed by mouth), or less commonly by either <a href="/facts/Intramuscular_injection/PPNwW2wB">intramuscular injection</a> or by an IV <a href="/facts/Intravenous_therapy/AwwuD3Nu">bolus</a> injection, which is a relatively quick <a href="/facts/Intravenous_injection/AwwuD3Nu">intravenous injection</a> lasting from a couple of seconds to a few minutes.
Common adverse effects include nausea and rash. It may also increase the risk of <a href="/facts/Candidiasis/gklGEfuq">yeast infections</a> and, when used in combination with <a href="/facts/Clavulanic_acid/8IpvLKpm">clavulanic acid</a>, <a href="/facts/Diarrhea/6TBHaRdA">diarrhea</a>. It should not be used in those who are allergic to <a href="/facts/Penicillin/Abo8VQ3p">penicillin</a>. While usable in those with <a href="/facts/Kidney_problem/gsqb5nos">kidney problems</a>, the <a href="/facts/Dose_(biochemistry)/Gez72mSn">dose</a> may need to be decreased. Its use in <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a> and <a href="/facts/Breastfeeding/cdWXyYDX">breastfeeding</a> does not appear to be harmful. Amoxicillin is in the <a href="/facts/Beta-lactam_antibiotics/MTqEtwsg">β-lactam family of antibiotics</a>.
Amoxicillin was discovered in 1958 and came into medical use in 1972. Amoxil was approved for medical use in the United States in 1974, and in the United Kingdom in 1977. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. It is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in children. Amoxicillin is available as a <a href="/facts/Generic_medication/IF6AXDVX">generic medication</a>. In 2022, it was the 26th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 20 million prescriptions.

Amoxicillin open-in-new

Amoxicillin