Amoxicillin: Uses, Side Effects, and Drug Interactions

# Amoxicillin: What You Need to Know Amoxicillin is an antibiotic medicine that doctors prescribe to fight bacterial infections in your body. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections like strep throat, ear infections, urinary tract infections, and some skin infections. Your doctor will tell you exactly how much to take and for how long—it's important to take the full course of medicine even if you start feeling better, because stopping early can allow bacteria to come back and cause problems. Before taking amoxicillin, tell your doctor if you're allergic to penicillin or other antibiotics, since amoxicillin is a penicillin-type drug. If you take other medicines, let your doctor know, especially blood thinners, birth control pills, or gout medicine, since amoxicillin can affect how these work. Some people experience side effects like stomach upset, diarrhea, or rashes, but serious allergic reactions are rare. Take amoxicillin exactly as prescribed, and contact your doctor if you have severe stomach pain, trouble breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction like swelling or severe itching.