How to Take Amoxicillin as Prescribed
Take amoxicillin exactly as your doctor prescribed, either every 8 or 12 hours depending on your dose, and complete the full course even if you feel better early in treatment. 1
Dosing Schedule
- Adults: Typical doses range from 250 mg twice daily up to 500 mg three times daily, depending on the infection being treated 2
- Children: Dosing is weight-based, typically 20-90 mg/kg/day divided into 2-3 doses 2
- The medication can be taken every 8 hours or every 12 hours based on your prescribed dose 1
Administration Instructions
For Liquid Suspension
- Shake the bottle well before each use 1
- Use a calibrated oral syringe (not a household spoon) to measure the dose accurately 1
- Rinse the oral syringe after each use 1
- Keep the bottle tightly closed between doses 1
Storage
- Refrigeration is preferable but not required for the liquid suspension 1
- Store unreconstituted powder at room temperature (68°F to 77°F) 1
- Discard any unused liquid suspension after 14 days 1
Critical Instructions
Complete the Full Course
- Take the medication for the entire prescribed duration, even if symptoms improve 1
- Stopping early can decrease treatment effectiveness and increase bacterial resistance 1
- Skipping doses may allow bacteria to develop resistance to amoxicillin and other antibiotics 1
Timing Considerations
- Amoxicillin can be taken with or without food 2
- Try to space doses evenly throughout the day (every 8 or 12 hours as prescribed) 1
Important Safety Warnings
Allergic Reactions
- Stop taking amoxicillin immediately if you develop a skin rash, hives, mucosal lesions, or any signs of allergic reaction 1
- Contact your doctor right away if these symptoms occur 1
- Amoxicillin contains penicillin and can cause serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis in susceptible individuals 2, 1
Diarrhea
- Diarrhea is a common side effect that usually resolves when treatment ends 1
- Contact your doctor immediately if you develop watery or bloody stools, even up to 2 months after finishing the medication, as this may indicate a serious intestinal infection 1
Common Side Effects
- Mild gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) are the most frequent adverse effects 2, 3
- Other possible effects include headache, skin rashes, and oral thrush 2
Special Populations
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- Amoxicillin is Pregnancy Category B and considered relatively safe during pregnancy 2
- The medication passes into breast milk in minimal amounts and is generally compatible with breastfeeding 2