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Amoxicillin is one of the many different antibiotics that the market has a generous supply of. It’s part of the penicillin family along with nafcillin and ampicillin. The drugs work similarly in treating infections, but they differ in terms of the kind of bacteria each of them fights.
Amoxicillin Benefits
As mentioned earlier, amoxicillin is used in treating infections that are caused by bacteria. It works by stopping bacteria from multiplying. Most people refer to the drug as Moxatag or Amoxil. If you’re currently suffering from a bacterial infection, you would be very glad to know that there’s a generic version for sale in all local pharmacies, so you won’t have to trouble yourself with seeking a prescription from a general practitioner.
Also, amoxicillin comes in different forms, namely oral capsules, oral extended-release tablets, oral suspension, oral tablets, and chewable tablets. As for the typical duration of treatments, it varies based on the condition being treated.
What Amoxicillin Treats
The conditions that the drug is used in treating can vary. A physician may conduct a susceptibility test, which will find out the specific type of antibiotic that is better in treating the specific kind of infection you have. For the test, the doctor will collect a sample of bodily fluids like urine and saliva. The samples will then be sent to a laboratory to check the strain of bacteria that’s growing inside your body. After which, the doctor will decide on whether you will be given amoxicillin or not.
Below is a list of the types of infections that are often treated:
- Tooth infections
- Mild skin infections
- Mild-moderate respiratory tract infections
- Ulcers
- Urinary tract infections
Some Simple Reasons Behind the Popularity of Amoxicillin
Have you ever questioned why amoxicillin is so popular among Americans? It isn’t just what we first think of when we have ear infections, but we also seek the drug to treat a strep throat and sinus infections. Well, here are the reasons why it’s a great antibiotic (but not perfect) that even children don’t find it revolting:
- The drug, as if magically, covers most common bacteria which cause sinus infections, strep throat, and ear infections. It’s even thought of a drug that’s capable of curing pneumonia.
- It’s fairly narrow-spectrum. This means it doesn’t kill off other bacteria that are essential in your body. These bacteria that amoxicillin spares keep your body healthy. By leaving out the good and helpful bacteria, you are less likely to suffer from yeast infections, diarrhea, and stomachaches. The drug, unlike other types of antibiotics, is less likely to cause the side effects mentioned.
- The pink kind tastes good! This is a fact as children frequently request for their “pink bubblegum medicine.” The reason why amoxicillin is preferred instead of penicillin is simply because penicillin is nauseating with its terrible taste!
- Lastly, the drug is surprisingly cheap. A 10-day amoxicillin course will only cost you $4 to $8 at Walmart.
Having a “just in case” supply of this antibiotic would be a great a idea. Anyone who’s had a long weekend with an earache will attest. Lots of natural herbal medicine to check out, but you shouldn’t discount amoxicillin as it has quite a few advantages.
Also, remember that liquid-based amoxicillin breaks down pretty fast, even in cold to freezing conditions which makes it fairly unstable and hard to store long-term. Potency degrades from 100% to 90% in 1 hour at thirty-two degrees. Pills can be frozen and have a much longer life. You might ask your doctor about storage. More and more doctors are understanding self-reliance and living off the grid and are open to at least the conversation.
