Amoxicillin oral suspension or pediatric drops

March 04, 2020

Amoxicillin oral suspension or pediatric drops

What is this medicine?

AMOXICILLIN (a mox i SIL in) is a penicillin antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked oral syringe, spoon, or dropper to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as newborns for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • bloody or watery diarrhea

  • breathing problems

  • feeling faint; lightheaded, falls

  • fever

  • redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

  • seizures

  • signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

  • signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

  • unusual bleeding or bruising

  • unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • anxious

  • confusion

  • diarrhea

  • dizziness

  • headache

  • nausea, vomiting

  • stomach upset

  • trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

  • allopurinol

  • birth control pills

  • certain antibiotics like chloramphenicol, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline

  • certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store this medicine in a refrigerator if possible. If not, it can be stored at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • kidney disease

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to amoxicillin, other penicillins, cephalosporin antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your health care professional if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

If you have diabetes, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your health care professional.

Birth control may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your health care professional about using an extra method of birth control.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Updated:  

March 04, 2020