Drug name: Amoxicillin

Therapeutic effects:
Amoxicillin has a bactericidal effect and a broad spectrum of activity. It violates the synthesis of peptidoglycan (the supporting polymer of the cell wall) in the period of division and growth, causes lysis of the bacteria. Amoxicillin is active against aerobic gram-positive microorganisms: Staphylococcus spp. (with the exception of strains producing penicillinase), Streptococcus spp. and aerobic gram-negative organisms: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp. Strains producing penicillinase are resistant to the action of amoxicillin.

Indications:

Bacterial infections caused by sensitive pathogens:

• respiratory and ETN organs infections (bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute otitis media)
• urogenital infections (pyelonephritis, pyelitis, cystitis, urethritis, gonorrhea, endometritis, cervicitis)
• abdominal infection (peritonitis, cholangitis, cholecystitis)
• infection of the skin and soft tissues (erysipelas, impetigo, secondarily infected dermatoses)
• leptospirosis, listeriosis, Lyme disease
• gastrointestinal infections (dysentery, salmonellosis, Salmonella carriage)
• meningitis
• sepsis
• endocarditis (prevention)

Side-effects:

• allergic reactions: hives, redness of skin, erythematous rash, angioedema, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, rarely - fever, arthralgia, eosinophilia, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme exudative (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome), reactions similar to serum disease and in rare cases anaphylactic shock
• digestive system: dysbacteriosis, taste perversions, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, stomatitis, glossitis, rare - pseudomembranous enterocolitis
• nervous system: agitation, anxiety, insomnia, ataxia, confusion, depression, peripheral neuropathy, headache, dizziness, epileptic reaction
• other: shortness of breath, tachycardia, interstitial nephritis, vaginal candidiasis, superinfection (especially in patients with chronic diseases or low resistance of the body)

Overdosage:

• Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, impaired water and electrolyte balance (as a consequence of vomiting and diarrhea).
• Treatment: gastric lavage, activated charcoal, saline laxatives, drugs for maintaining water and electrolyte balance; hemodialysis.

Drug interactions:
Amoxicillin can interact with the following groups of medicines:

• aminoglycosides
• antacids
• glucosamine
• laxative drugs
• ascorbic acid
• indirect anticoagulants
• estrogen-containing oral contraception
• anti-tumor drugs (Methotrexate
• drugs which are transformed in PABA as a result of their metabolism
• diuretics
• NSAIDs
• anti-gout agents
• drugs that block tubular secretion

Cautions and restrictions:
Amoxicillin is contraindicated for use in:

• hypersensitivity (including to other penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems)
• the drug has to be used with caution in the following conditions:
• polyvalent hypersensitivity to xenobiotics
• infectious mononucleosis
• a history of gastrointestinal disease (especially colitis due to antibiotics intake)
• kidney failure
• pregnancy, lactation

Additional information:
During the course of treatment it has to be monitored the functions of hematopoietic organs, liver and kidneys.
Women using estrogen-containing birth control pills, should use another or additional method of contraception.