Amoxycillin
Consumer Medicine Information
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons
living in Australia. This page contains answers to some common
questions about . It does
not contain all the information that is known about
. It does not take the
place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks
and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine
against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you. If you have
any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Bookmark or print this page, you may need to read it again.
What is AMOXIL used for?
AMOXIL contains a penicillin called amoxycillin as the active ingredient.
AMOXIL belongs to a group of medicines called penicillins
AMOXIL is used to treat a range of infections caused by bacteria. These may be infections of the chest (pneumonia), tonsils
(tonsillitis), sinuses (sinusitis), urinary and genital tract, skin and fleshy tissues.
AMOXIL works by killing the bacteria that cause these infections. AMOXIL can also be used to prevent infection.
Your doctor may have prescribed AMOXIL for another reason.
There is no evidence that AMOXIL is addictive.
Before you take AMOXIL
Do not take AMOXIL if:
you are allergic to penicillin or similar types of antibiotics such as cephalosporins. If you have ever had an allergic reaction
(such as a rash) when taking an antibiotic you should tell your doctor before you take AMOXIL.
you have ever had an allergic reaction to amoxycillin or any of the ingredients listed toward the end of this leaflet. (See
"Ingredients")
the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Tell your doctor if:
you are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines.
you have ever had an allergic reaction (such as a rash) to any antibiotics in the past.
you have glandular fever (mononucleosis) or a blood disorder.
you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or are breast feeding. AMOXIL may be used during pregnancy (Australian Use in
Pregnancy Category A). AMOXIL can pass to your baby from breast milk.
you have liver or kidney problems. The dosage of AMOXIL may need to be changed or you may need to be given an alternative
medicine.
you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription. In particular tell your doctor if
you are taking any of the following:
medicines used to treat gout eg probenecid or allopurinol.
the contraceptive pill. As with other antibiotics, you may need to use extra birth control methods eg. condoms.
other antibiotics. These may interfere with the actions of AMOXIL.
Anticoagulants (used to prevent blood clots) such as warfarin.
Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you which medicines
are safe to take with AMOXIL.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you take any AMOXIL.
How do I take AMOXIL?
Follow your doctor's instructions about how and when to take AMOXIL. Your doctor will advise how many doses are needed each
day, and for how long you will need to take AMOXIL.
Please read the direction label carefully. If you have any concerns about how to take AMOXIL, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
How much AMOXIL to take:
Take AMOXIL as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
The usual dose of AMOXIL is one dose taken three times a day. If your doctor has prescribed the AMOXIL 3g sachet, this is
taken as a single dose.
How to take AMOXIL:
Swallow AMOXIL 250mg and 500mg capsules whole with a glass of water.
To prepare the AMOXIL 3g syrup sachet, the powder from the sachet is emptied into a glass. The empty sachet is then half
filled with water (approximately 50mL) and this is added to the powder in the glass. Stir the medicine thoroughly before
drinking. The dose should be taken immediately after preparation.
Space the doses as evenly as possible throughout the day. For example, if you are taking AMOXIL three times a day, take a
dose about every eight hours.
AMOXIL can be taken with or without food. The effects of AMOXIL are not changed by food.
How long to take AMOXIL for:
Keep taking AMOXIL until the course is finished or for as long as your doctor tells you.
Do not stop taking AMOXIL just because you feel better as the infection can return.
Do not stop taking AMOXIL, or change the dose without first checking with your doctor.
If you forget to take AMOXIL:
If you forget to take a dose of AMOXIL, take it as soon as you remember. Then go back to taking it as directed by your doctor.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you have missed. Do not take two doses within an hour or so of each
other. Taking more than the prescribed dose can increase the chance of unwanted side effects.
What do I do if I take too much? (Overdose)
If you (or someone else) has taken a large amount of AMOXIL all at once, give plenty of water to drink and immediately telephone
your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 131126) for advice, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too
much AMOXIL, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital.
While you are taking AMOXIL
Things you must do:
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as directed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not working as it should and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist you are taking AMOXIL before starting any other prescribed medicine. Some medicines may affect
the way other medicines work.
If you develop itching, swelling or a skin rash when you are taking AMOXIL, do not take any more AMOXIL and tell your doctor
at once.
If you develop severe diarrhoea when taking AMOXIL tell your doctor as soon as possible. Do not take any medication to stop
the diarrhoea (eg Lomotil or Imodium).
Things you must not do:
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use AMOXIL to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to.
Things to be careful of:
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how AMOXIL affects you.
What are the side-effects?
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you think you are experiencing any side effects or allergic reactions due to
taking AMOXIL, even if the problem is not listed below.
Like other medicines, AMOXIL can cause some side-effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary.
However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
MILD EFFECTS
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following that are troublesome or ongoing:
diarrhoea (several loose bowel movements per day), indigestion, feeling sick or being sick.
soreness of the mouth or tongue
overgrowth of yeast infections (thrush).
MORE SERIOUS EFFECTS
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
itching, rash
unusual bleeding or bruising
yellowing of the skin or eyes
dark urine or pale stools
difficulty or pain on passing urine.
severe diarrhoea.
Stop taking AMOXIL and contact your doctor or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital if any of the following
happens:
Wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hayfever, lumpy rash (hives) or fainting. These could be symptoms
of an allergic reaction.
Remember you should tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these, or any other unusual events or problems
occur during or after treatment with AMOXIL.
This is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side-effects
not yet known.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any side effects from your medicine which are not mentioned here.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side-effects. You may not experience any of them.
How do I store AMOXIL?
Keep your medication in the pack until it is time to take them.
Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it, such as in a locked cupboard.
Keep the pack in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C. Do not leave it in the car on a hot day.
Do not store medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Return any unused or expired medicine to your pharmacist.
Product description
What AMOXIL looks like:
AMOXIL capsules are available as:
red and yellow coloured capsules marked with 'GS JVL' containing 500mg of amoxycillin, or
red and yellow coloured capsules marked with 'GS LEX' containing 250mg of amoxycillin.
AMOXIL syrup sachets are available as:
sachets containing 3g of amoxycillin.
Ingredients:
All AMOXIL preparations contain the active ingredient amoxycillin.
AMOXIL capsules also contain the inactive ingredient magnesium stearate. The capsule shells are made of gelatin and contain
the following colouring agents: erythrosine, indigo carmine, iron oxide yellow, titanium dioxide and Opacode White A-R 9658.
AMOXIL syrup sachets contain the inactive ingredients disodium edetate, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, xanthan gum, ammonium
glycyrrhizinate, sucrose, lemon trusil flavour (16-8162), strawberry trusil flavour (17-8729) and peach trusil flavour (17-3449).
AMOXIL preparations do not contain lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Supplier:
Your AMOXIL is supplied by:
GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd
1061 Mountain Highway
Boronia
Victoria, 3155
Australia.
Tel: (03) 9721 6000
Where to go for further information
Pharmaceutical companies are not in a position to give people an individual diagnosis or medical advice. Your doctor or pharmacist
is the best person to give you advice on the treatment of your condition.
AMOXIL preparations are only available if prescribed by a doctor.
AMOXIL is also available as syrups, drops and injections.
AMOXIL adult preparations come in the following packs:
500mg capsules in blister packs of 20 capsules
(AUST R 57574)
250mg capsules in blister packs of 20 capsules
(AUST R 11138)
3g syrup sachet in a single dose pack (AUST R 107410)
The information provided applies only to AMOXIL®.
® AMOXIL is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.
This leaflet is subject to copyright.
AMOXIL Adult Preparations
Prepared on 20 July 2009.
Version 2.0