Antibiotics are given by healthcare professionals for bacterial infections as a source of relief. Antibiotics are necessary and potentially life-saving drugs. One of the popular antibiotics is amoxicillin. It is commonly used for treating infections caused by bacteria. However, a medical prescription is required before using this medication to treat any infection. In this article, you will learn how long does amoxicillin take to start working and its side effects.
Brief Overview of Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is a prescription-only antibiotic medication. It has been approved by the FDA to treat certain bacterial infections in children and adults, including:
- Skin Infections
- Lower Respiratory Infections
- Nose, Ear and Throat Infections
- Helicobacter Pylori Infection
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s)
Amoxicillin is available in a variety of forms and is one of the best medicine for bronchitis. It is available in tablet, capsule, and oral suspension. Your doctor may choose to prescribe a certain type based on your body. However, it is necessary to know that oral suspension expires within a few weeks and must not be consumed after the expiry date.
Amoxicillin can be found in combination medications too. For instance, augmentin is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate.
Uses Of Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is prescribed for many types of bacterial infections. Some of them are:
- Periodontitis (gum disease)
- Strep Throat Or Bacterial Sinusitis
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Bacterial Pneumonia
- Lyme Disease
- Anthrax Exposure
- Skin Infections
- H.pylori Infection
Side Effects of Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin has a few serious side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Change in taste
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Headache
Many other serious side effects might occur, though they are less common. In case you notice these symptoms, stop the use of the drug immediately and consult a medical healthcare professional.
- Breathing problems
- Itching or rashes
- Stomach cramps
- Swelling on face and lips
- Bloody stools
Drug Interactions
Amoxicillin might interact with
- Probenecid
- Chloramphenicol
- Combined oral estrogen
- Macrolide antibiotics
- Tetracycline antibiotics
- Sulfonamide antibiotics
Precautions
Before consuming amoxicillin, inform your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics. Some inactive ingredients present in the drug might cause adverse allergic reactions.
Also, inform your doctor about any history of kidney diseases. Amoxicillin might also cause live bacterial vaccines to not work well. Tell your healthcare provider about your amoxicillin intake before taking any vaccines.
How Fast Does Amoxicillin Work?
Amoxicillin starts working in the body as soon as it is consumed. However, it requires some time to make a difference in the body. One may start feeling better in 2-3 days after consuming the medicine but, it may take longer to heal completely depending on the level of infection.
A thing to keep in mind is that, even after feeling better after consuming the medication drug, make sure to complete all the prescribed amoxicillin doses.
Stopping the use of this drug may result in under-treated infection, as it causes the bacteria to develop resistance to amoxicillin.
How Long Does It Last?
The effectiveness of amoxicillin lasts as long as you continue taking the drug. It stays inside the body for 8 to 12 hours after the most recent dose. It is normal for the effects of amoxicillin to continue for a few days even after you stop taking the drug.
Amoxicillin tablets start working right away as soon as you consume the medication drug. It could take a few days after your first dose of the medication to start reducing the symptoms of the infection. You can consult a doctor for your queries regarding your body type for the consumption of the drug.
Conclusion
Amoxicillin is a popular and commonly used medication drug used to treat bacterial infections. One must start to feel better after 2 to 3 days of taking the prescription. However, it may take longer depending on the infection type.
Even when you start feeling better, you must finish all your prescription doses. One must consult a licensed medical healthcare professional in case of any side effects and to get the symptoms under control.