Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections. It does not work against colds, flu or viral fever.
- Generic name
- Amoxicillin
- Active ingredient
- Amoxicillin trihydrate
- Common brands in India
- Mox, Novamox, Amoxil
- Available as
- Capsule, Tablet, Dry syrup, Oral drops, Injection
- Common strengths
- 250 mg, 500 mg, 125 mg/5 mL syrup, 250 mg/5 mL syrup
- How it is sold
- Prescription only — needs a doctor's prescription
No dosage information on this page
The correct dose depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other medicines and medical history. Follow the dose your doctor prescribed, or the instructions on the pack. Never copy a dose from a website or from someone else's prescription.
What Amoxicillin is used for
- Certain throat, ear and sinus infections
- Some chest infections, including forms of pneumonia
- Some urinary tract infections
- Certain dental infections
- As part of a combination treatment for Helicobacter pylori stomach infection
How it works
Amoxicillin belongs to the penicillin group. It stops bacteria from building the cell wall they need to survive, so the bacteria break apart and die. Viruses have no cell wall, which is precisely why antibiotics do nothing for viral illnesses.
How to take Amoxicillin
- It can be taken with or without food. Take it after a meal if it upsets your stomach.
- Space the doses evenly through the day, so the level in your blood stays steady.
- Finish the whole course your doctor prescribed, even if you feel completely well after two or three days.
- If it is a syrup, shake the bottle each time and use the measuring device supplied. Made-up syrup usually has to be kept cool and thrown away after the number of days printed on the label.
Precautions
- Tell your doctor if you have ever reacted to penicillin or any antibiotic.
- Never take leftover antibiotics, and never take someone else's prescription.
- Do not take it for a cold, ordinary sore throat or viral fever — it will not help, and it contributes to resistance.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Common side effects
Not everyone gets side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these are troublesome or do not settle.
- Loose motions or diarrhoea
- Nausea and stomach upset
- Skin rash
- Oral or vaginal thrush after a course
Important warnings
- Get emergency help immediately for signs of a serious allergic reaction — swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a widespread rash with dizziness.
- Contact your doctor for severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea during or after the course.
- Misusing antibiotics drives antibiotic resistance, which makes infections harder to treat for everyone — including you, later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will amoxicillin help a cold or viral fever?
No. Colds, flu and most fevers are caused by viruses, and antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Taking one unnecessarily exposes you to side effects and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
What happens if I stop the antibiotic once I feel better?
The infection may not be fully cleared, so it can return — and the surviving bacteria are more likely to be resistant to that antibiotic next time. Always finish the prescribed course.
Can I drink milk or curd while taking amoxicillin?
Yes, amoxicillin can be taken with food and dairy. Some other antibiotics do interact with dairy, so check the instructions for whichever one you have been prescribed.
What are the side effects of amoxicillin?
Loose motions, nausea and stomach upset are the common ones, and thrush can follow a course. A skin rash needs mentioning to your doctor, because a penicillin allergy matters for the rest of your life.
What this costs, and what is free
Commonly available free at government hospitals and health and wellness centres when prescribed there.
Generic versions are sold at Jan Aushadhi Kendras at substantially lower prices than branded packs of the same medicine.
The same molecule is sold under many brand names at very different prices. Ask your doctor to write the generic name, and compare at a Jan Aushadhi Kendra — the saving on a medicine taken daily is often substantial over a year. You can look up any medicine's official ceiling price on NPPA's Pharma Sahi Daam app.
Source: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
Prices and scheme rules change. Confirm current details with the hospital or Kendra before you rely on them.
Looking for Amoxicillin locally?Aswini Medicals is a pharmacy that stocks everyday medicines and can advise on availability.
Visit Aswini Medicals