What is the use of Amoxicillin (Amoxycillin, a type of antibiotic)?

From the Guidelines

Amoxicillin is recommended as the first-line treatment for community-acquired pneumonia, with a dosage of 1 g every 8 hours for adults, as stated in the most recent guideline from 2019 1.

Key Points to Consider

• The dosage and duration of treatment may vary depending on the specific infection being treated, patient age, and other factors.
• Amoxicillin is typically prescribed for 7-10 days, but the exact duration should be determined by a healthcare professional.
• Common side effects of amoxicillin include diarrhea, rash, and nausea, and patients should inform their doctor about other medications they're taking to avoid interactions.
• Those with penicillin allergy should avoid amoxicillin, and alternative treatments should be considered.

Important Considerations for Treatment

• The treatment of community-acquired pneumonia should be guided by the most recent clinical practice guidelines, which recommend amoxicillin as the first-line treatment for adults without comorbidities that increase the risk for poor outcomes.
• The choice of antibiotic should be based on the most likely pathogens, local resistance patterns, and the patient's medical history.
• Judicious prescribing strategies, such as selecting the appropriate dose and treating for the shortest duration required, should be implemented to minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance and adverse events.

Additional Recommendations

• Patients with recent exposure to one class of antibiotics recommended above should receive treatment with antibiotics from a different class, given increased risk for bacterial resistance to the initial treatment regimen.
• The role of observation or delayed prescribing should be considered as an alternative strategy to immediate therapy for certain infections, such as acute otitis media and acute bacterial sinusitis.

From the FDA Drug Label

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Amoxicillin Overview

• Amoxicillin/clavulanate is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) 2.
• It is available in various adult and pediatric dose formulations worldwide, with clavulanic acid dose restricted to 125 mg due to tolerability issues 2.

Mechanism and Resistance

• Clavulanate has a minimal role in the combination's use for respiratory infections 2.
• The empirical and overuse of amoxicillin/clavulanate may select resistance in Gram-negative pathogens, particularly with the rising prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) 2.

Alternative Treatments

• Third-generation oral cephalosporins, such as ceftibuten or cefpodoxime, can be combined with amoxicillin/clavulanate to treat UTIs involving ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. 2.
• Cefixime has been shown to be effective and safe in treating urinary tract infections in children, with a higher susceptibility rate compared to amoxicillin-clavulanate 3.

Comparison with Other Antibiotics

• Clarithromycin and azithromycin are new macrolide antibiotics with increased activity against various bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, and Chlamydia trachomatis 4.
• These antibiotics have good oral bioavailability, excellent tissue penetration, and long elimination half-lives, allowing for once-daily or twice-daily dosing 4.