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The last time you came down with a nasty sinus infection or it-feels-like-I'm-swallowing-glass strep throat, you were likely prescribed some huge-ass horse pills of amoxicillin.
So what's amoxicillin actually do? It's pretty epic: The antibiotic attaches to the cell wall of the bacteria, causing them to break open and die, says Cory Fisher, M.D. a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic. RIP, stuffy nose!
As helpful as amoxicillin can be though, it can also cause several side effects, which TBH, you can't really avoid. "Once you're given a prescription and are taking the medication, you typically can't do anything to avoid most side effects," says Fisher. As such: "Knowing that amoxicillin, and other antibiotics like it, don't work against the common cold or other viral infections, you should only take it when it's absolutely necessary."
You WILL probably wind up taking amoxicillin at some point in your life—it's just that common. But be aware of these amoxicillin side effects before popping those pills:
1
You Might Get A Funky Rash
Amoxicillin, like most medications, can cause a rash if you have an allergic reaction to the drug. "These hives or 'wheals' are round, raised and itchy," says Fisher. They typically show up in the first few days of taking your medication.
A second type of rash can occur in up to 10 percent of patients (mostly kids), and it's not brought on by an allergic reaction, says Fisher. These small, flat pink spots usually start on the core, chest, or back and can spread to the arms, legs, and face. "It's referred to as the 'amoxicillin rash,' but getting it doesn't mean that you can't take the medication in the future," says Fisher.
Still, if you experience any kind of rash when you start taking amoxicillin, let your doctor know right away so they can assess how serious it is and if the reaction is getting worse.
2
Your Stomach Might Get Angry
Amoxicillin, along with most antibiotics, can cause a host of not-fun GI issues, like nausea, bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea. You may be able to avoid stomach issues by taking your meds with a meal, if possible, and staying super hydrated.
"If your symptoms are mild, you can simply monitor the side effects and continue the medication," says Fisher. "But if they're severe, you should contact your doctor, and your medication will likely need to be changed."
"Amoxicillin, and other antibiotics, not only kills the bacteria that cause ear and throat infections, but it can also kill 'good bacteria' in the vagina and in other areas," says Fisher.
Cue other types of microbials (yeast and/or bacteria) having a heyday. In the vagina, the culprit is typically Candida, a type of fungus that causes yeast infections. This usually presents with thick, white discharge and itching, and can be treated with a topical or oral anti-fungal medication, says Fisher.
4
Your Bowels Might Hate You
Just as amoxicillin can rob your vagina of its good bacteria, the same can happen in your GI tract. This can mess with your microbiome and cause an infection known as C. diff. "This is a serious bowel infection caused by Clostridium difficile. It's often associated with recent antibiotic use," says Fisher. "Similar to a yeast infection in the vagina, these bacteria can take advantage of a gut that has less 'good bacteria' and cause symptoms that range from mild diarrhea to severe abdominal pain and a life-threatening infection."
This usually happens later in the course of an antibiotic dose or even weeks after you've finished, notes Fisher, so keep track of how long any stomach woes last. If you have severe diarrhea (or if it's super-smelly—the bacteria change can cause this) during or after a course of amoxicillin, you should contact your doctor immediately.
5
Your Pill Might Fail You
When you get your prescription, you might see a warning on the bottle that amoxicillin can make your hormonal birth control less effective. There's not a TON of evidence that this is actually the case, but still, it's never a bad idea to use extra protection.
Kristin Canning Kristin Canning is the features director at Women's Health, where she assigns, edits and reports long-form features on emerging health research and technology, women's health conditions, psychology, sexuality, mental health, reproductive justice, wellness entrepreneurs, women athletes, and the intersection of health, fitness, and culture for both the magazine and the website.
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Source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g19755392/amoxicillin-side-effects/
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