Amoxicillin 500mg, an antibiotic from the penicillin family, is used to treat bacterial infections. Bromelain, vitamin K and probiotics increase the absorption rate of this antibiotic. Bromelain is found in pineapple, vitamin K in leafy greens and probiotics in yogurt. These herbal and vitamin remedies decrease yeast infections and other side effects that can result from amoxicillin, notes the University of Michigan Health System.
Types
Amoxicillin, an antibacterial antibiotic, is prescribed in liquid, chewable pill and tablet form. Dosages range from 20mg every 12 hours to 775mg in a once-daily extended release tablet. Amoxicillin is often prescribed several times per day at varying intervals. Prescription bottles that say b.i.d. mean take twice daily; bottles that note t.i.d. are prescribed three times daily. The noted 20-mg dose is recommended for infants at three months of age, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. The higher dosage, extended-release amoxicillin, works best with patients who may be unable to maintain the necessary interval dosing of this antibiotic required to maintain its efficacy.
Features
Amoxicillin combines amoxicillin trihydrate-active ingredient, magnesium stearate, erythrosine, indigo carmine, titanium dioxide, yellow iron oxide and gelatin. Inactive ingredients in amoxicillin assist in the antibiotic formulation for pill shaping, color, ingredient binding agents, solubility, palatability and absorption. The liquid and chewable formulation also includes corn syrup agents and additional flavorings for greater palatability. This antibiotic, available in the United States since the 1970s, has few side effects and does not irritate the stomach lining when taken with food, according to The Electronic Medicines Compendium.
Function
Amoxicillin decreases bacteria that grow on cell walls by binding penicillin-like agents to the cells. These cells are then unable to continue to grow bacteria, according to The Merck Manuals. Penicillin-binding proteins reduce the growth of infected cells within bacterium. Bacteria eventually die from the lack of oxygen and nutrients necessary for the continued growth of the infection. Amoxicillin is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream with a 50 percent elimination rate. Upon completion of the multiple daily dosage regimen, elimination rates increase.
Considerations
Pediatricians at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that 25 percent of children treated with penicillin and amoxicillin for the streptococcus germ strep throat had renewed symptoms within three weeks of treatment. Penicillin and amoxicillin are no longer as effective in treating bacterial infections as newer antibiotics known as cephalosporin, reported the Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Washington. The University of Rochester Medical Center report from December 2005 showed that 60 to 80 percent of children treated for streptococcus germs had been prescribed amoxicillin. Their study noted that 10 to 20 percent of clients were still prescribed penicillin and only 10 to 20 percent received a cephalosporin. Despite the studies indicating greater efficacy with cephalosporin, physicians appear to be reluctant to replace this 40-year-old medication with cephalosporins.
Warnings
Caution is recommended for amoxicillin use while breast-feeding because small amounts of the antibiotic have been reported in breast milk, notes The Merck Manuals. Patients with allergies to penicillin and its derivative amoxicillin should notify their physician and pharmacy regarding their allergy. Amoxicillin can cause severe allergic reactions causing anaphylactic shock. This reaction can cause airway constriction and severe respiratory inflammation. Patients with asthma should be especially careful of this allergy due to their compromised immune system. Patients with mononucleosis have found this antibiotic therapy to cause rashes. Amoxicillin is not recommended for clients with renal impairment due to amoxicillin's slow elimination rate, as noted in The Merck Manuals.
References
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Amoxicillin Drug Information
- Glaxo-Smith & Kline: Amoxil-Prescription
- University of Michigan Health System: Amoxicillin
- The Electronic Medicines Compendium, PDF: Amoxicillin
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Eureka; Penicillin, amoxicillin -- Step aside for strep throat treatment; Dec. 7, 2005
