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.
Amoxycillin belongs to the penicillin group of antibiotics. AMOXIL is used to treat a range of infections caused by bacteria. These may be infections of the blood (septicaemia), chest (pneumonia), 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 are given AMOXIL
AMOXIL must not be used if:
you are allergic to amoxycillin, other penicillins 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.
the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
Tell your doctor if:
You must 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).
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 the 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.
anticoagulants (used to prevent blood clots) such as warfarin.
These may interfere with the actions of AMOXIL.
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 receive any AMOXIL.
How is AMOXIL given?
How much to give:
AMOXIL will be administered as directed under the supervision of a doctor or nurse. You will not be expected to give yourself this medication.
How AMOXIL is given:
Your doctor or nurse will inject the necessary dose of AMOXIL. It may be given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm or buttock or into a vein. Your doctor will decide the best method of giving the injection to you.
The usual dose of AMOXIL is one injection every six or eight hours.
How long to give AMOXIL for:
AMOXIL should be administered for as long as recommended by your doctor. The length of treatment will be decided by your doctor.
Do not stop taking AMOXIL, or change the dose without first checking with your doctor.
What do I do if I am given too much AMOXIL? (Overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 131126) for advice, if you think you or anyone else may have been given 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 being given AMOXIL
Things you must do:
If you develop itching, swelling or a skin rash when you are receiving AMOXIL, tell the doctor or nurse immediately.
If you develop severe diarrhoea when receiving AMOXIL tell the doctor or nurse 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 or nurse 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 or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following:
Wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hayfever, lumpy rash (hives) or fainting. These could be symptoms of an allergic reaction.
pain around the site of injection
unusual bleeding or bruising
yellowing of the skin or eyes
dark urine or pale stools
difficulty or pain on passing urine.
severe diarrhoea.
Remember you should tell your doctor, nurse 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 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°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.
Ask your pharmacist what to do with any unused injections.
Product description
What AMOXIL looks like:
AMOXIL injections are supplied as vials containing amoxycillin sodium powder equivalent to 1 g of amoxycillin. The powder must be mixed with sterile water before use.
Ingredients:
AMOXIL injections contain the active ingredient amoxycillin. There are no inactive ingredients in AMOXIL injections.
AMOXIL does not contain lactose, sucrose or any 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 in capsule and syrup preparations.
AMOXIL 1g injections come in packs of 10 vials (AUST R 11137).
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 Parenteral Preparations.
Prepared on 20 July 2009.
Version 2.0
