drug-medicine : amoxil sachets

Information for patients and carers

Your Amoxil comes in sachets.

Amoxil 3 g sachets come in packs of two.

Amoxil Sachets 3 g Sucrose-Free contain the active ingredient amoxicillin. Each sachet contains 3 g of amoxicillin. The other ingredients in the sachets are: quinoline yellow (E104), saccharin sodium, xanthan gum (E415), peach, strawberry and lemon dry flavours and sorbitol (E420). Each sachet contains 18 mg of sodium and 4.2 g of sorbitol.

What is Amoxil ?

Amoxil is an antibiotic for treating infections. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called “penicillins”. Amoxil works by killing the bacteria that can cause infections.

Why has your doctor prescribed Amoxil ?

Amoxil can treat a wide range of infections including those of the chest (bronchitis or pneumonia), tonsils (tonsillitis), ears (otitis media), sinuses (sinusitis), the bladder or the urethra (the tube which carries urine from the bladder), kidneys, the female reproductive system including infections caused by difficulties during childbirth (puerperal sepsis and septic abortion), abdomen (intra-abdominal sepsis and peritonitis), heart (endocarditis), blood (septicaemia), skin, bone, teeth and gums (abscesses). Amoxil can also be used to treat gonorrhoea (a sexually transmitted infection), infections associated with pregnancy and typhoid and paratyphoid (fevers caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella).

Before taking your medicine

Let your doctor know if any of the following apply to you:

You have ever had a skin rash or swelling of the face or neck when taking any antibiotic
You know you are allergic to penicillin (or any other antibiotic)
You are taking a contraceptive pill (in which case you will need to take extra contraceptive precautions such as using a condom)
You have, or you think you have, glandular fever
You are breast-feeding
You have been treated for kidney problems
You have hereditary fructose intolerance (as this medicine contains sorbitol)
You are taking any medicine (such as warfarin) to prevent blood clots
You are taking allopurinol for conditions such as gout which can be caused by uric acid build-up.

If any of the above apply to you, your doctor may decide that you need a different dose of Amoxil or a different medicine instead of Amoxil.

Sorbitol can cause stomach upset and diarrhoea.

How to take Amoxil Sachets 3 g Sucrose-Free

Your doctor will tell you how many sachets you should take. Your doctor’s instructions are on the label of the sachets’ container, so read it carefully. If you have any questions talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Amoxil Sachets contain powder which has to be mixed with water before you drink it. The instructions for this are printed on the back of each sachet.

You should drink several more glasses of water each day of your treatment, unless told otherwise by your doctor.

For severe or frequent chest infections your doctor may recommend taking 3 g twice a day – take one sachet in the morning and another one at night before you go to sleep.

Infections of the bladder or urethra (water infections) can be treated with two 3 g doses taken within 10-12 hours of each other.

Teeth and gum infections (abscesses) can be treated with two 3 g doses taken within eight hours between each other (usually one in the morning and one at night).

Gonorrhoea (a sexually transmitted infection) can be treated with a single 3 g dose.

People who have, or have had, heart problems may need an antibiotic when they go to the dentist to prevent them from getting a heart infection (endocarditis). People who are having dental treatment without a general anaesthetic may need 3 g Amoxil before the dental treatment. A second 3 g dose may be needed six hours later. People who are having dental treatment with a general anaesthetic may need a 3 g dose four hours before anaesthesia followed by another 3 g dose straight after the dental treatment has finished. Children under 10 usually take half these adult doses. Children under five take a quarter of the adult doses.

The maximum dose required for most infections is 6 g daily given in divided doses.

When should I take Amoxil Sachets ?

You may take Amoxil before, with or after food, unless the label advises a specific time. It is not normally necessary to arrange to take a dose in the middle of the night - unless your doctor has told you to do so.

Keep on taking the sachets even if you feel better.

You need every sachet to help you fight off the infection. If you stop taking your sachets before the end of the course, some bacteria may survive and cause the infection to come back.

If you still feel unwell after finishing the treatment, go and see your doctor.

Never take more than the recommended dose each day.

What if I forget to take a dose ?

If you forget to take a sachet, take it as soon as you remember. Then carry on as before. Try to wait about four hours before taking the next dose. Do not take two doses within an hour or so.

What if I take too much ?

If you have taken too many sachets all at once, contact your doctor or local hospital casualty department at once. Show the doctor your pack of sachets.

Information on possible side effects

As with all medicines, some people may experience side effects with Amoxil.

The more common side effects of Amoxil that have been reported in more than 1 in 100 people taking it include:

Nausea (feeling of sickness) or diarrhoea
Skin rash.

Uncommon side effects that have been reported in between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000 people taking Amoxil include:

Vomiting
Allergic skin reactions with itching e.g. 'hives' or 'nettle' rash. If you start to itch or get a rash, stop taking Amoxil and tell your doctor at once.

Rare side effects that have been reported in between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 10,000 people. There are no rare side effects documented for Amoxil.

Very rare side effects that have been reported in less than 1 in 10,000 people taking Amoxil include:

Hypersensitivity or severe allergic reaction including swollen face or breathing problems. Tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of these symptoms and STOP taking Amoxil
Thrush (a yeast infection of the vagina, mouth or skin folds). You can get treatment for thrush from your doctor or pharmacist
Tooth discolouration. The colour usually returns to normal with brushing
Inflammation of the kidney. Tell your doctor that you are taking Amoxil if you are having urine tests because Amoxil may affect the results
Excessive body movements (hyperkinesia), dizziness or convulsions. People who are on high doses of Amoxil or whose kidneys do not work properly may experience convulsions
Reduction (reversible) in blood cell counts including anaemia (a reduction in the body's red blood cells or haemoglobin which may be characterised by feeling weak or light-headed) or a longer time taken for blood to clot. Tell your doctor that you are taking Amoxil if you are having blood tests
Crystalluria, forming of crystals in the urine.

See your doctor straight away if you experience any of the following very rare side effects:

Severe diarrhoea with bleeding
Notice your urine becoming darker or your faeces (otherwise known as poo) becoming paler
Notice your skin or the white of your eyes turning yellow
Convulsions
Difficulty or discomfort in passing urine or have cloudy urine.

If you get any other problems while taking this medicine tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Storing Amoxil Sachets 3 g Sucrose-Free

Don’t use the sachets if the expiry date printed on the pack has passed.
Keep the sachet contents in their packet and store them in a dry place below 25°C. Keep all medicines well out of the reach of children - it’s best to lock them in a cupboard or medicine cabinet.

If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine, or if for any other reason you have some sachets left over, please return them to the pharmacist.

Remember, this medicine is just for you. Do not give it to anyone else. It may not be suitable for them, even if their symptoms seem to be the same as yours.