Amoxicillin🔊

What is Amoxicillin for?

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic for treating or preventing bacterial infections, including but not limited to the following: 

• Suspected infections (including urinary-tract infections, sinusitis, uncomplicated community acquired pneumonia, salmonellosis, oral infections)
• Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
• Ear infection (acute otitis media) 
• Dental abscess 
• Bladder infection (urinary tract infections [UTI]) 
• Prevention of infective endocarditis
• H pylori eradication (in combination with other antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor)

How to use it?

For suspected infections (including urinary-tract infections, sinusitis, uncomplicated community acquired pneumonia, salmonellosis, oral infections) 

Oral 

Adult 

500 mg every 8 hours, increase if necessary up to 1 g 3 times daily, use increased dose in severe infections 

Child 1-11 months 

125 mg 3 times daily, increase if necessary up to 30mg/kg 3 times daily

Child 1-4 years 

250 mg 3 times daily, increase if necessary up to 30mg/kg 3 times daily 

Child 5-11 years 

500 mg 3 times daily, increase if necessary up to 30mg/kg 3 times daily (max dose 1g)

Child 12-17 years 

500 mg 3 times daily, increase if necessary to 1 g 3 times daily, used increased dose in severe infections 

For acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 

Oral 

Adult 

500 mg 3 times daily for 5 days, doses can be increased for severe infections up to 1 g 3 times daily 

For acute otitis media 

Oral 

Child 1-11 months 

125 mg 3 times daily for 5-7 days 

Child 1-4 years 

250 mg 3 times daily for 5-7 days 

Child 5-17 years 

500 mg 3 times daily for 5-7 days 

Your children may also be prescribed with Amoxicillin in respect of their weights. The dosage is 80-90mg/kg per day in divided doses every 8-12 hours (maximum: 3000mg daily)  according to the Centre for Health Protection. 

For H pylori eradication (usually used in combination with other antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor)

Oral

Adult 

1 g twice daily 

What are the side effects of Amoxicillin?

Common side effects of Amoxicillin include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, allergies, and skin reactions.

Where to buy Amoxicillin in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, Amoxicillin is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.