Interactions with Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin can interact with various medications and diseases, leading to significant clinical implications. Check all the interactions with your doctor before treatment.

Drug Interactions

Here is a categorized overview of the drug interactions, detailing how each category may affect treatment outcomes.

Category	Medication	Interaction Details
Antibiotics and Anticoagulants	Allopurinol	May increase the risk of skin rash when used with amoxicillin.
	Azithromycin	Concurrent use can lead to increased risk of side effects, particularly gastrointestinal disturbances.
	Amiloride	There is potential for increased potassium levels, necessitating monitoring.
Gastrointestinal Agents and Immunomodulators	Balsalazide	No significant interactions reported, but monitoring is advised as both drugs may affect gut health.
	BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin)	Caution is warranted as amoxicillin may reduce the efficacy of this immunotherapy.
	Betiatide	Limited information on interactions; close monitoring is recommended.
	Bifidobacterium infantis	Probiotics may help mitigate antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Other Antibiotics	Chloramphenicol	Concurrent use can lead to increased risk of bone marrow suppression.
	Cholera vaccine, live	Amoxicillin may interfere with the immune response to the vaccine.
	Clarithromycin	Increased risk of QT prolongation and other cardiovascular effects.
	Demeclocycline	Risk of decreased effectiveness due to antibiotic competition.
	Dicumarol	Increased anticoagulant effect may occur; monitoring INR is essential.
	Dirithromycin	Potential for additive side effects; caution advised.
	Doxycycline	May reduce the effectiveness of doxycycline; alternative antibiotics should be considered if possible.
	Oxytetracycline	Similar to doxycycline, it may reduce effectiveness due to competition in the gut.
Antivirals and Hormonal Medications	Entecavir	Limited interaction data available; monitoring for efficacy is recommended.
	Erythromycin	Increased risk of side effects such as gastrointestinal upset; caution advised.
	Estradiol/Estropipate/Ethinyl Estradiol	Hormonal contraceptives may have reduced efficacy when taken with amoxicillin.
Probiotics	Fecal microbiota spores, live / Fecal microbiota, live	These probiotics may help restore gut flora disrupted by antibiotic treatment.
	Lactobacillus acidophilus / Lactobacillus reuteri / Lactobacillus rhamnosus / Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG	These probiotics can help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea and maintain gut health during treatment.
Fiber Supplements	Guar gum	This fiber supplement may affect absorption of amoxicillin; timing of administration should be considered.
Diagnostic Agents	Indium oxyquinoline in-111	Limited interaction data; consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended before concurrent use.
Immunosuppressants and Other Antibiotics	Methotrexate	Increased risk of toxicity; monitoring required.
	Minocycline	Potential for additive side effects; caution advised.
	Mycophenolate mofetil / Mycophenolic acid	Increased risk of infections due to immunosuppression; careful monitoring is essential.
Cancer Therapies and Uricosurics	Pemetrexed	Risk of increased toxicity; careful monitoring required.
	Probenecid	May increase amoxicillin levels in the blood, necessitating dose adjustments.
Newer Antibiotics	Sarecycline	Potential for increased side effects when used together; caution advised.
Other Antibiotics and Vaccines	Tetracycline	Similar concerns as with other tetracyclines regarding reduced effectiveness.
	Troleandomycin	Increased risk of liver toxicity when used concurrently.
	Trospium	Caution is warranted due to potential for increased urinary retention.
	Typhoid vaccine, live	Amoxicillin may interfere with the immune response to this vaccine.
Anticoagulants	Warfarin	Increased anticoagulant effect; INR monitoring is essential to avoid bleeding complications.

Understanding these interactions is crucial for effective treatment planning. Patients should always inform their healthcare providers about all medications they are taking to avoid potential adverse effects.

Disease Interactions

Amoxicillin can interact with various diseases. Here are the six disease interactions associated with amoxicillin:

Colitis

Amoxicillin can lead to antibiotic-associated colitis, mainly due to Clostridium difficile overgrowth. This condition may cause severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. Patients with a history of colitis may be at higher risk for developing this complication when taking amoxicillin, and they should be monitored closely for gastrointestinal symptoms during treatment.

Mononucleosis

Patients diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis (often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus) should avoid amoxicillin, as it can lead to a high incidence of skin rashes. These rashes can be severe and are often mistaken for allergic reactions. Still, they are a common side effect of amoxicillin in individuals with mononucleosis.

Diabetes

While amoxicillin itself does not directly interact with diabetes, patients with diabetes need to be cautious. Antibiotics can affect blood sugar levels, and those on insulin or oral hypoglycemics may require adjustments in their medication regimen during and after treatment with amoxicillin. Monitoring blood glucose levels is advised.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Amoxicillin formulations may contain phenylalanine, which is contraindicated for individuals with PKU. Patients with this genetic disorder must avoid any medications containing phenylalanine to prevent serious health issues associated with elevated phenylalanine levels in the body.

Renal Dysfunction

Patients with renal dysfunction may experience increased levels of amoxicillin in their system due to impaired kidney clearance. This can lead to an increased risk of side effects and toxicity. Dose adjustments are often necessary for individuals with compromised kidney function to avoid potential complications.

Hemodialysis

Amoxicillin clearance may be significantly altered in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Amoxicillin is partially removed during dialysis sessions, which could necessitate additional dosing or timing adjustments to maintain therapeutic levels and efficacy.

Patients should thoroughly read about the precautions associated with amoxicillin, as it can cause serious allergic reactions and other adverse effects.

When taking amoxicillin, it is crucial to adhere to the prescribed form and dosage to ensure effective treatment and minimize the risk of side effects.

Misuse of antibiotics like amoxicillin can contribute to antibiotic resistance, making bacterial infections harder to treat in the future.

It is also important to be aware of contraindications, such as allergies to penicillin or cephalosporins, which could lead to severe reactions.

Unlike some other antibiotics, amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic that is effective against a broad range of bacterial infections but does not work against viral infections. Check the comparison of Amoxicillin with other often prescribed antibiotics.

While amoxicillin is effective for treating bacterial infections, careful consideration must be given to these drug and disease interactions to ensure patient safety and optimal therapeutic outcomes.

If you still have questions about Amoxicillin, check our FAQ’s to get more information.