Scientific advancement has brought in several wonder drugs for the treatment of ordinary to complicated diseases/infections. Amoxil (or Amoxicillin) is one such all-in-one drug which treats several infections. Administered orally as tablets, powder or drop, Amoxil treats infections caused by common bacteria.

Conditions treated by Amoxil

An antibiotic of the Penicillin family, Amoxil is effective against infections of the middle ear, nose, throat, tonsils, larynx, bronchi and infections of the skin and the urinary tract. It is also vindictive towards bacteria-causing Gonorrhea. The drug is vigorously bactericidal and works on types of bacteria like Streptococci, E.coli, Staphylococcus, H. pylori, P. mirabilis, H.influenzae, N. gonorrhoeae, and S. pneumoniae. Amoxil is also prescribed in cases where it acts to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence in gastrointestinal tract or to prevent infections after a surgery.

Amoxil's bactericidal mechanism

Amoxil is not very effective against viral infections, but works tremendously against bacteria. Like every antibiotic in the Penicillin family, Amoxil does not kill bacteria, but stops bacterial activity by preventing bacterial wall formation. Since the walls are crucial to the survival of bacterial cells, Amoxil's mechanism prevents bacteria from further multiplication and puts an end to infection.

How to take Amoxil

Amoxil is available in tablets, capsules, chewable tablets, powder and drops for oral suspension. Since the drug is stable in gastric acid, it can be taken with or without food. Though Amoxil is a remarkable drug, it is essential to take it till the end of the medication course prescribed by the doctor. If medication is stopped in between or after disappearance of symptoms, chances of bacteria developing resistance to the drug are possible.

Side Effects of Amoxil

Amoxil should not be taken if you are allergic to the Penicillin family of antibiotics like ampicillin, carbenicillin, diclocaxin and oxacillin. The drug can turn critical to your health if you have an allergy towards drugs, or asthma, liver or kidney disease, blood clotting disorder, mononeucleosis or any other type of allergy. Allergic reactions towards Amoxil will result in difficult breathing, swelling in the face, lips, tongue or throat. Diarrhea, fever, insomnia, itching, bleeding and other allergic reactions can also occur due to Amoxil.