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What You Need to Know About Amoxicillin
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from eMedTV.comWhat Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Amoxicillin?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Phenylketonuria
- A penicillin allergy
- Any other allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Amoxicillin and Pregnancy)
- Breastfeeding (see Amoxicillin and Breastfeeding).
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Amoxicillin Precautions and Warnings to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
How Does It Work?
Amoxicillin belongs to a group of medications known as aminopenicillins, which is part of a larger group of medications known as beta-lactam antibiotics (named after the ring-like "lactam" structure of these antibiotics). It works by stopping bacteria from making cell walls, which eventually causes the bacteria to die.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD