Please note: This is for information only.

Refer to local guidelines for treatment recommendations

 

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• A β-Lactam penicillin antibiotic
• Bactericidal
• Some Gram negative activity
• Reasonable oral absorption (oral preparation Amoxicillin)
• Usual adult dose IV Amoxicillin 500mg-1g tds (higher doses: 2g 4 hourly, are used for treatment of endocarditis), PO Amoxicillin 500mg tds
• Reduce dose in moderate to severe renal impairment
• Moderate risk of Clostridium difficile antibiotic-associated diarrhoea if prescribed for elderly inpatients.

Main indications

• Upper respiratory tract infection e.g. otitis media, sinusitis
• Community Acquired Pneumonia
• Acute Bronchitis
• Cellulitis
• Peritonitis and Diverticulitis
• Endocarditis prophylaxis
• Alternative for UTI if known sensitive organism
• Active against most strains of:
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Haemophilus influenzae (except in patients with COPD as resistance more likely due to repeat courses of antibiotics)
• Beta haemolytic streptococci
• Enterococcus faecalis

Not active against most strains of:

• Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis
• Atypical bacteria
• Anaerobes from GI tract eg Bacteroides fragilis
• Pseudomonas
• Klebsiella spp
• Enterococcus faecium
• Variable activity against Escherichia coli - 50% strains are resistant.