Amoxicillin is an antibiotic.

It's used to treat bacterial infections, such as chest infections (including pneumonia), dental abscesses and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

It's used in children, often to treat ear infections and chest infections.

The medicine is only available on prescription. It comes as capsules or as a liquid that you drink. It's also given by injection, but this is usually only done in hospital.

• For most infections, you'll start to feel better in a few days.
• The most common side effects of amoxicillin are feeling sick (nausea) and diarrhoea.
• Liquid amoxicillin can stain your teeth. This doesn't last and is removed by brushing.
• You can drink alcohol while taking amoxicillin.
• Amoxicillin is also called by the brand name Amoxil.

Amoxicillin can be taken by adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Amoxicillin can be taken by children.

Amoxicillin isn't suitable for some people. To make sure amoxicillin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin or penicillin or any other medicines in the past
• have liver or kidney problems
• have recently had, or are about to have, any vaccinations

The usual dose of amoxicillin is 250mg to 500mg taken 3 times a day. The dose may be lower for children.

Try to space the doses evenly throughout the day. If you take it 3 times a day, this could be first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon and at bedtime.

You can take amoxicillin before or after food.

How to take it

Swallow amoxicillin capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them.

Amoxicillin is available as a liquid for children and people who find it difficult to swallow tablets.

If you or your child are taking amoxicillin as a liquid, it will usually be made up for you by your pharmacist. The medicine will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose.

If you don't have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

What if I forget to take it?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicines.

What if I take too much?

Accidentally taking an extra dose of amoxicillin is unlikely to harm you or your child.

Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried or you take more than 1 extra dose.

Like all medicines, amoxicillin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

These common side effects happen in around 1 in 10 people. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• diarrhoea

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Call a doctor straight away if you get:

• diarrhoea (possibly with stomach cramps) that contains blood or mucus. If you have severe diarrhoea for more than 4 days you should also speak to a doctor
• pale poo with dark pee, yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes (warning signs of liver or gallbladder problems)
• bruising or skin discolouration
• joint or muscle pain that comes on after 2 days of taking the medicine
• a skin rash with circular red patches

Some of these serious side effects can happen up to 2 months after finishing the amoxicillin.

Serious allergic reaction

Around 1 in 15 people have an allergic reaction to amoxicillin.

In most cases, the allergic reaction is mild and can take the form of:

• a raised, itchy skin rash
• coughing
• wheezing

Mild allergic reactions can usually be successfully treated by taking antihistamines.

In rare cases, amoxicillin can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

These are not all the side effects of amoxicillin. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

What to do about:

• feeling sick (nausea) - stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your amoxicillin after a meal or snack.
• diarrhoea - drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.

It's usually safe to take amoxicillin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

For more information about how amoxicillin can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read this leaflet on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

There are some medicines that don't mix well with amoxicillin.

Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start taking amoxicillin:

• methotrexate
• a blood thinner called warfarin
• gout medicines called probenecid and allopurinol
• other antibiotics

Mixing amoxicillin with herbal remedies and supplements

There are no known problems with taking herbal remedies and supplements alongside amoxicillin.