Amoxicillin is a prescription drug that belongs to a classification of drugs called penicillin antibiotics. They are prescribed to treat infections that are caused by bacteria. The penicillin antibiotics kill the bacteria or prevent its growth. Different penicillin antibiotics are used to treat different types of bacterial infections. They can be prescribed in conjunction with other antibiotic medications. The Mayo Clinic notes that none of the penicillin antibiotics are effective in the treatment of colds or the flu. There are, however, some infections for which amoxicillin is typically prescribed.
Typical Uses
Amoxicillin is prescribed for bacterial infections, such as bronchitis, gonorrhea and pneumonia. It is also prescribed as a treatment for infections of the urinary tract, skin, ears, nose and throat. It is also used in combination with other antibiotics in the treatment of H. pylori, which is a bacterium that causes ulcers.
Other Uses
According to the Mayo Clinic, amoxicillin is used in the treatment of certain conditions. These conditions include chlamydia infections in pregnant women. It is also used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and gastritis when it is associated with H. pylori. It can also be prescribed in the treatment of lyme disease and typhoid fever.
Anthrax
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, amoxicillin is used to prevent the development of anthrax disease for people who have been exposed to anthrax when other penicillin antibiotics are not as safe to use. This occurs for women who are pregnant and for children. The use of amoxicillin is only prescribed after test results show that the anthrax bacteria can be killed with penicillin antibiotics.
