What is amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic. It's mainly used to treat skin infections, chest infections and dental infections. It's also used for ear infections in children.

Amoxicillin is only available on prescription in the UK. It is available as capsules (250mg and 500mg), as a liquid, sachets and injections.

The brand name for amoxicillin is Amoxil.

Amoxicillin Capsule

What is amoxicillin used for?

Amoxicillin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as

• Chest infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Ear, nose and throat infections, such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, otitis media.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Dental abscesses.
• Lyme disease.
• Eradicating Helicobacter pylori bacteria from the gut in people with peptic ulcers (in combination with other medicines).
• Bacterial infections of the lining of the heart or heart valves (endocarditis).

Amoxicillin injections are used in hospitals to treat more serious infections, and in cases where the medicine can't be taken by mouth.

How does amoxicillin work?

Amoxicillin works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to form cell walls.

The cell walls of bacteria are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering their cells and stop the contents of their cells from leaking out. Amoxicillin impairs the bonds that hold the bacterial cell wall together. This allows holes to appear in the cell walls and kills the bacteria.

Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that kills a wide variety of bacteria that cause a wide variety of commonly-occurring infections.

Amoxicillin does not kill viruses and will not work to treat viral infections, such as colds, flu and most coughs and sore throats.