Amoxicillin 500 mg is one of the most important antibiotics in the modern world, it is highly effective and can fight the most dangerous pathogens of infections, such as staphylococcus and streptococcus. This is a broad spectrum drug that is well absorbed and has a quick action.
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Composition and form of release
The drug was created through experiments in the early 1970s as an antibacterial drug of the penicillin class. By its nature, amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic that has a similar chemical structure to ampicillin, only it belongs to the hydroxyl group.
Each tablet of Amoxicillin 500 mg contains the main active substance amoxicillin trihydrate in the specified amount. As auxiliary substances, talc, gelatin and iron oxide are used. By its properties, the medicine is classified as semi-synthetic penicillin, it fights against a variety of bacteria and fungi.
Amoxicillin is also on sale in the form of hard capsules made of gelatin with various dosages (250 mg and 500 mg each). They are filled with white or yellowish powder. Usually, the medicine is sold in cardboard packages with plastic blisters of 10 capsules in each.
Amoxicillin 500 mg is considered the most effective due to the increased dosage of the active substance and a faster systemic effect.
Pharmacological properties and indications for use
The drug is an antibacterial agent, acting on individual enzymes that are in the walls of bacteria cells, it destroys them, and microorganisms quickly die. This leads to the cessation of infectious inflammation. Thanks to this principle of action and resistance to enzymes of gastric juice, the drug becomes more effective when taken orally.
The main pharmacological action of the drug is bactericidal, with a high therapeutic effect, which is ensured by the penetration of the substance into all tissues and body fluids.
The medicine is very quickly absorbed into the walls of the small intestine and spreads throughout the body, and its resistance to gastric juice allows you to maintain the maximum concentration of the active substance - up to 90%. Most of the substance is excreted by the kidneys and liver within 21 hours after administration.
Amoxicillin 500 mg capsules are used to treat diseases that were caused by pathogenic organisms, in particular infections:
- lower and upper respiratory tract (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia);
- GIT and bile ducts (cholecystitis);
- urinary system (pyelonephritis or gonorrhea);
- soft tissue with suppuration.
A medication is also used if sepsis develops in the body, since the antibiotic completely destroys salmonella and streptococcus, as well as gonococcus.
The action of the drug is not universal, since the bacteria that produce beta-lactamase are resistant to it. This enzyme completely eliminates the effect of the antibiotic, and Amoxicillin is mixed with clavulanic acid, which can destroy beta-lactamase, to combat such resistant organisms.
Concentrated Amoxicillin is safe for the body, its combination with other substances allows you to expand the spectrum of exposure and fight a large number of pathogenic microorganisms.
Instructions for use for children and adults
The dosage of the antibiotic depends on the type of disease, the age and weight of the patient. The maximum dose of an antibiotic per day should not exceed 6 g and is allowed only in case of a severe form of respiratory tract infection, for example, purulent tonsillitis.
For other diseases, Amoxicillin 500 mg tablets for adults and children (weight more than 40 kg) should be given 3-4 times a day so that the total dose is 1500 mg. Amoxicillin for children is allowed only as prescribed by the attending physician, and its dosage depends on the age and body weight of the baby. Up to two years, an antibiotic is prescribed at a rate of 20 mg / kg, from 2 to 5 years - 125 mg, and from 5-10 years - 250 mg per day.
It does not matter before or after a meal to take the drug, as this does not affect its absorption. Take the capsules orally with a glass of water at intervals of 5-8 hours. The duration of treatment with Amoxicillin is on average from 5 to 12 days, taking into account the fact that after the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease, the patient will take the medicine for another 2 days. If the infection was caused by streptococcus, then the course of treatment is 10 days to prevent the development of complications.
Amoxicillin during pregnancy and lactation
Pediatricians and therapists do not recommend women taking or taking any medications, especially antibiotics, because of their aggressive effects on the baby. Due to humanity, experiments on the administration of Amoxicillin by pregnant women have not been conducted. That is why scientific data on the possible negative effects of the drug on the embryo are missing. Doctors suspect the toxic and mutagenic effect of the antibiotic in relation to the emerging young body and do not recommend it to pregnant and lactating mothers.
Pregnant women are only allowed to take the drug when its positive effect on the mother is higher than the perceived risk to the child.In this case, the antibiotic should be prescribed by a doctor who will monitor the subsequent treatment.
Drug Interactions with Other Drugs
Amoxicillin can be taken together with other antibiotics of the same action, for example, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides, because their combination does not harm the patient's body. But the combined use of Amoxicillin and antimicrobial drugs that inhibit the growth of bacteria is not recommended.
In addition, the combination of Amoxicillin with such substances is undesirable:
- Probenecid - will lead to a deterioration in the excretion of the antibiotic by the kidneys and an increase in its concentration in the blood.
- Methotrexate - will reduce the rate of excretion of the latter and lead to an overdose. A high concentration of methotrexate increases its toxicity and leads to various disorders.
- Allopurinol - promotes the development of skin allergic reactions (rash, itching, urticaria).
- Diuretic drugs - accelerate the removal of the antibiotic, which reduces its concentration, and, accordingly, its effectiveness.
During the treatment with Amoxicillin, hormonal contraceptives are not recommended, since they reduce the concentration of the antibiotic in the blood.
Side effects and contraindications
Among the contraindications to the use of the drug, the main ones are hypersensitivity and allergy to the components of the drug. In addition, it is prohibited for patients with bronchial asthma, gastrointestinal diseases (ulcers, colitis) and renal failure.
When taking an antibiotic, side effects may also develop, among which:
- skin rash;
- erythema;
- anaphylactic shock;
- rhinitis.
In case of an overdose, the patient may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and bleeding. In this case, you should immediately rinse your stomach, take absorbents, and restore water balance.
Amoxicillin analogues
Amoxicillin is an inexpensive antibiotic, it is very difficult to find a medicine cheaper and more effective than it. The main analogue of Amoxicillin 500 mg is Amosin, but their cost is the same. But the Russian drug Ecobol costs 2 times more expensive than the original, although the action is no different.
In case of intoxication of amoxicillin, the patient is prescribed antibiotic analogues in which its concentration is reduced: Augumetin, Ospamox and Taisil. For children, you can use Amosin suspension, which is easier to use.
Analogues of Amoxicillin 500 mg can be drugs from the group of macrolides and fluoroquinolones, among which:
- Sumamed.
- Azithromycin
- Fromilide.
- Macropen.
- Erythromycin.
They are also prescribed if, after a course of treatment with Amoxicillin, the patient does not have a positive reaction, i.e., the antibiotic could not overcome pathogenic microorganisms. Analogues of the drug are selected not only on the basis of the main active substance, but also on its therapeutic effect.
Amoxicillin is the most common antibiotic today, since the ratio of effectiveness and low price makes it the most attractive penicillin drug.
