Amoxicillin: Antibiotic Resistance and a Review of Side Effects

>> Hello and welcome to "VideoScript", presented by Drugs.com.

Today in the final of three presentations, we continue reviewing amoxicillin, a common antibiotic used for a variety of bacterial infections. We will look at issues related to safety and side effects.

Patients with an infection may feel better before their antibiotic treatment is completed. However, the entire course of antibiotic treatment should be finished. This is important to help prevent the infection from reoccurring and to help prevent antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to withstand the antimicrobial power of antibiotics. Simply put, antibiotics that used to cure an infection do not always work now.

Completing your antibiotic regimen, and not taking antibiotics when you have a viral infection, such as the cold or the flu, are two ways to help prevent antibiotic resistance.

While amoxicillin is usually well tolerated, side effects may occur including nausea, vomiting or skin rash.

Mild diarrhea or soft stools are a common side effect with many antibiotics. This is usually temporary and will stop when the antibiotic is completed. If severe diarrhea, watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever should occur, even up to 2 months after completing antibiotic therapy, patients should contact their health care provider as soon as possible.

Thank you for joining us at Drugs.com for a brief review of amoxicillin. Please refer to our patient and professional information, drug interaction checker, and additional tools on Drugs.com.

Patients with a concern about the use of amoxicillin should consult with their health care provider.

Visit www.drugs.com/amoxicillin for more information