What is Amoxicillin?

From the Guidelines

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Key Points

• Amoxicillin is a first-line therapy for previously healthy, appropriately immunized infants and preschool children with mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) suspected to be of bacterial origin 1.
• The recommended dose of amoxicillin for children is 90 mg/kg/day in 2 doses, with a maximum dose of 4000 mg/day 1.
• Amoxicillin provides appropriate coverage for Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most prominent invasive bacterial pathogen 1.
• Alternative agents for children allergic to amoxicillin include azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin 1.
• Amoxicillin is also used to treat other bacterial infections, such as pneumonia caused by Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis 1.

Important Considerations

• The choice of antibiotic therapy depends on the suspected pathogen, age, and clinical presentation of the patient 1.
• Amoxicillin-clavulanate may be used as an alternative to amoxicillin in certain cases, such as in children with insufficient vaccination against type b H. influenzae or with purulent acute otitis media 1.
• Macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin, may be used as first-line empirical treatment in children aged 5 and above, or in cases where Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Chlamydia pneumoniae is suspected 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Amoxicillin, USP is a semisynthetic antibacterial (amoxicillin), an analog of ampicillin, with a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug with a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity.

• It is a semisynthetic analog of ampicillin.
• The molecular formula of amoxicillin is C16H19N3O5S .3H2O, and the molecular weight is 419.45. 2 2 2

From the Research

Definition and Overview of Amoxicillin

• Amoxicillin is a semisynthetic penicillin antibiotic that is effective against a wide range of infections 3, 4.
• It has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and is often used to treat respiratory tract infections, among others 3, 5.
• Amoxicillin can be administered orally or through injection, and it is available in various formulations, including alone or in combination with clavulanic acid 6, 4.

Mechanism of Action and Resistance

• Amoxicillin works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, but its effectiveness can be reduced by the production of beta-lactamase, an enzyme that breaks down the antibiotic 3.
• The combination of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, can help to overcome this resistance 3, 5.
• However, the use of amoxicillin/clavulanate can also increase the risk of adverse reactions and contribute to the development of bacterial resistance 6.

Clinical Uses and Efficacy

• Amoxicillin is commonly used to treat acute otitis media (AOM) in children, and high-dose amoxicillin is recommended as first-line therapy in areas with high rates of drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae 5, 7.
• Studies have shown that amoxicillin is effective against a range of pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis 7.
• However, the efficacy of amoxicillin can be limited by the presence of beta-lactamase-producing organisms, and alternative therapies may be necessary in cases of treatment failure 7.