You can take amoxicillin before or after food. Swallow amoxicillin capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them. Amoxicillin is available as a liquid for children and people who find it difficult to swallow capsules.
This is because food and some drinks can affect the way these medicines work. For example, taking some medicines at the same time as eating may prevent your stomach and intestines absorbing the medicine, making it less effective.
Should your antibiotics be taken before or after food? In some cases, taking antibiotics whilst eating a meal may help to reduce stomach issues from certain antibiotics such as amoxicillin and doxycycline.
It is usually taken every 12 hours (twice a day) or every 8 hours (three times a day) with or without food. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection that you have. Take amoxicillin at around the same times every day.
If the label says to take with food, you can take your medicine with a meal or a little snack like crackers and fruit. Food helps the body to absorb certain medications and can reduce side effects.
Antibiotics are usually taken with water because taking them together with fruit juices, dairy products or alcohol can affect how the body absorbs some drugs.
Don't: Take antibiotics with milk or fruit juice
These products can interact with antibiotics and affect how your body absorbs them. Be careful with grapefruit and citrus juices, and wait at least three hours after taking your prescription before consuming dairy products.
A spoonful of sugar not only makes medicine easier to swallow, but it also might increase its potency, according to a new study. The results show sugar can make certain antibiotics more effective at wiping out bacterial infections.
Amoxicillin begins to fight your infection soon after you start taking it, and you should start to feel better after about 2 to 3 days. But even if you feel better before your prescription runs out, make sure to keep taking it for as many doses as prescribed. Amoxicillin is widely available as a lower-cost generic.
Amoxicillin starts addressing the bacteria that are causing your infection immediately, but you will not feel better immediately. Amoxicillin will typically help you to start feeling better within a few days. However, it may take up to 4-5 days before your symptoms improve.
However, our study showed that taking amoxicillin under fasted or fed conditions would not have any significant effect on the antimicrobial efficacy of the drug as the AUC or the extent of amoxicillin absorption is not affected due to the effect of food.
Food and Drink Interactions with Antibiotics
Similarly, it's recommended that antibiotics are not taken with fruit juices or dairy products, as they can affect the body's ability to absorb the medication. Instead, it is recommended that the drug is taken with water only.
Tiredness or fatigue is not a common side effect of antibiotic use, but it can happen. The antibiotics most likely to cause tiredness as a side effect are amoxicillin, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin.
Many cases are viral and cannot be treated by antibiotics. According to the Infectious Disease Society of America's guidelines, the duration of treatment for bacterial infections should be 5 to 10 days. A meta-analysis completed in Britain determined that a 5-day course is as effective as a 10-day course.
Your doctor will advise you how long to take amoxicillin for (usually 3–7 days). For most infections, you should feel better within a few days. Always take your amoxicillin exactly as your doctor has told you.
Antibiotic resistance is not a distant threat, but is in fact one of the most dangerous global crises facing the modern world today. Taking antibiotics when you don't need them puts you and your family at risk of developing infections which in turn cannot be easily treated with antibiotics.
About amoxicillin
It is used to treat bacterial infections, such as chest infections (including pneumonia) and dental abscesses. It can also be used together with other antibiotics and medicines to treat stomach ulcers. It's often prescribed for children, to treat ear infections and chest infections.
Like penicillin, it covers most Streptococcus species and is also effective against Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus species. It also covers Haemophilus influenza, some Escherichia coli, Actinomyces species, Clostridium species, Salmonella species, Shigella species, and Corynebacteria species.
You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed.
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine, to make sure the pills have gone through the esophagus into the stomach. Notify your healthcare provider if you experience painful swallowing or feel that the medicine is sticking in your throat.
It's safe to take paracetamol with most prescription medicines, including antibiotics.
Stomach discomfort or nausea is a common side effect of amoxicillin. Less common symptoms include abdominal pain and vomiting. Taking your dose of amoxicillin with a meal may help prevent this side effect. To cope with an upset stomach, eat bland, easy-to-digest foods like soups, crackers, and toast.
Consuming yogurt while taking antibiotics may help prevent the diarrhea that often accompanies antibiotic treatment.
It is vital to restore a healthful balance in the gut microbiome after taking a course of antibiotics. People can do this by eating probiotics, prebiotics, fermented foods, and fiber. Probiotics and prebiotics can also help to reduce the side effects of antibiotics.