Amoxicillin Side Effects: What can you expect?
Doctors prescribe amoxicillin antibiotics to treat a variety of bacterial infections. These include infections in the ears, nose, and throat, as well as the upper airway.
Some people have experienced life-threatening reactions, even though most amoxicillin’s side effects aren’t serious.
This article discusses the possible side effects of taking amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin side effects are common.
Amoxicillin can cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Amoxicillin can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. These include:
- diarrhoea
- nausea
- vomiting
Headaches and changes in taste are also common side effects.
A person should consult their doctor if these symptoms are persistent or severe. A doctor may recommend dietary changes to help reduce side effects. They may prescribe alternative antibiotics if possible.
Even if an individual has taken amoxicillin before without experiencing any side effects, it is still possible to experience them.
Amoxicillin side effects are rare.
Amoxicillin can cause serious side effects in rare cases. These include:
- Problems breathing
- Wheezing
- Hives
- Itching
- rash
- skin blistering
- skin peeling
- Swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
- severe diarrhoea
- stomach cramping
If you experience life-threatening side effects, such as breathing problems, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
If a person has an adverse reaction to amoxicillin that is unexpected and severe, they should contact MedWatchTrustedSource. This Food and Drug Administration (FDA) program reports adverse events.
A person can also experience a so-called superinfectionTrusted Source due to taking amoxicillin. Superinfections are bacterial or fungal and include Clostridium difficile colitis.
This type of colitis can be especially dangerous because it causes prolonged and severe diarrheaTrusted source, which damages the intestines.
Factors that increase the risk of a reaction
The doctors have identified certain factors which may increase the risk of an amoxicillin allergic reaction. These include:
- Amoxicillin may cause skin reactions in infants, including a rash. Doctors prescribe Amoxicillin to treat infections among young people because it is well absorbed. Rashes on young people usually appear as small bumps of a discoloured colour. The rashes may be slightly itchy and usually appear on the trunk.
- The dosage is important. A person can take antibiotics for a long time if they have recurring or severe infections such as Osteomyelitis. This puts them at a higher risk for long-term complicationsTrusted sources include crystalluria, hemolytic anaemia, and Nephritis.
- Amoxicillin side effects may be more common in those with penicillin allergies, asthma, or hay fever. Penicillin shares chemical similarities with amoxicillin. A person allergic to penicillin is more likely to react to amoxicillin.
- Sex: According to a 2014 study by Trusted Source, females are slightly more likely to report penicillin allergies than males. Doctors have not studied this difference.
This rash could be due to a hypersensitivity responseTrusted Source and not a true allergic reaction. They may then be able to take the medication without worrying about serious side effects.
According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, doctors have not discovered that penicillin allergy is inherited. This means a person doesn’t have to avoid penicillin if they know someone is allergic.
How long does it take for side effects to appear?
Side effects shouldn’t last too long for people who take amoxicillin on a short-term basis. When a person stops taking antibiotics, the side effects usually stop.
A person should consult their doctor if they experience prolonged diarrhea, fever, and stomach pains after taking amoxicillin. Some people have reported diarrhea lasting up to two months following the discontinuation of amoxicillin.
When to visit a doctor?
If you think you are having a severe reaction to amoxicillin, such as anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction), seek immediate medical attention.
If they’ve had an anaphylactic response to cephalosporin or penicillin in the past, their risk is higher.
Anaphylaxis symptoms can include:
- Problems breathing
- Wheezing
- A rash that is swollen and covers most of the body
- Lips, tongue, and face swelling
Most doctors will treat these reactions using steroids and Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine. They will usually advise someone to stop taking amoxicillin after a severe reaction.
A person with mild diarrhea is usually not required to consult their doctor. If they are unsure whether or not a side-effect they are experiencing, they should contact their doctor.
Headaches and changes in taste are also common side effects.
A person should consult their doctor if these symptoms are persistent or severe. A doctor may recommend dietary changes to help reduce side effects. They may prescribe alternative antibiotics if possible.
Even if an individual has taken amoxicillin before without experiencing any side effects, it is still possible to experience them.
Amoxicillin helps to fight bacterial infections in people of all ages.
The antibiotic may cause mild stomach upset or, in rare instances, even life-threatening reactions. A person who is concerned about amoxicillin side effects should consult a doctor.
Side effects shouldn’t last too long for people who take amoxicillin on a short-term basis. When a person stops taking antibiotics, the side effects usually stop.
A person should consult their doctor if they experience prolonged diarrhea, fever, and stomach pains after taking amoxicillin. Some people have reported diarrhea lasting up to two months following the discontinuation of amoxicillin.
