1. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic. It’s used to treat infections caused by certain types of bacteria.
2. Amoxicillin oral tablet comes as immediate-release (IR) or chewable tablets. The chewable tablet and IR tablet are only available as generic drugs.
3. Amoxicillin also comes as a capsule and a suspension. All forms are taken by mouth. (This article focuses on the oral tablet forms only.)

Amoxicillin oral tablet does not cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of amoxicillin oral tablet can include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• rash
• vaginal yeast infection

If these side effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Hypersensitivity reactions. Symptoms can include:
  • flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, or sore throat
  • a painful red or purple rash that spreads
  • blisters that could cause the skin to break down and cause open sores
• Liver damage. This effect is rare. Symptoms can include:
  • increased liver enzymes shown on a blood test
  • pain in the abdomen (stomach area)
  • yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • tiredness
• Serious skin reaction.* This side effect is rare. Symptoms may include:
  • flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, or sore throat
  • a skin rash and discoloration
  • swollen lymph nodes
  • itchiness

* Serious skin reactions were not reported in clinical trials of amoxicillin. However, they have been reported since the drug was approved.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history.

• Finishing therapy: It’s important to finish the entire course of amoxicillin treatment as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking this drug or skip doses if you start to feel better. This could cause your infection to last longer. You could also develop a resistance to the medication. This means that if you get a bacterial infection in the future, you may not be able to treat it with amoxicillin.
• Diarrhea: Amoxicillin may cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if you have bloody or watery diarrhea, with or without stomach cramps and fever.

• Amoxicillin Capsule

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• Serious skin reaction: Skin reactions can occur during amoxicillin treatment. In rare cases, serious skin reactions such as Steven-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis may occur. Talk with your doctor if you experience a skin rash or condition that becomes bothersome or doesn’t go away.
• Serious allergic reaction: This drug can cause a serious allergic reaction. This reaction can be fatal (cause death). If you’re allergic to other antibiotics, such as penicillins or cephalosporins, your risk for an allergic reaction may be higher. Call your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing or swelling of your throat or tongue while you’re taking this drug.

Amoxicillin is a prescription antibiotic. It’s used to treat infections caused by a certain type of bacteria. It may be used as part of combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

The oral tablet comes as an immediate-release (IR) tablet and chewable tablet. These are only available as generic drugs.

Generic drugs usually cost less. Amoxicillin also comes as a capsule and a suspension. All forms are taken by mouth. This article focuses on the oral tablet forms only.

Why it’s used

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic. It’s used to treat infections caused by a certain type of bacteria.

Amoxicillin may be used as part of combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

How it works

Amoxicillin belongs to a class of drugs called penicillins. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Amoxicillin works by killing bacteria and stopping its growth in your body.

How long it lasts

The effects of amoxicillin should last as long as you continue taking the drug. Amoxicillin is typically a short-term treatment.

Amoxicillin typically stays in your system for 8 to 12 hours after your most recent dose. It’s possible to continue experiencing some effects of amoxicillin after you stop taking the drug, especially during this 8-hour to 12-hour period. However, the drug’s effects typically end when your treatment ends or soon afterward.

There have been reports of diarrhea lasting for up to 2 months after people stopped amoxicillin treatment. If you experience diarrhea after stopping amoxicillin, especially along with a fever or abdominal pain, talk with your doctor.

Amoxicillin oral tablets start working right away after taking a dose. It can take up to a couple of days after your first dose for the drug to start reducing symptoms of your infection.

If you have questions about how long amoxicillin treatment or its effects last, you can talk with your doctor.