Amoxicilin And Side Effects

[MrHammer]

A week ago I went to the doctor with a sore throat.

At first he told me it was just allergic, but when he looked in my mouth, he saw that my tonsils were very red and enlarged and had white 'puss' on them. He was surprised I didn't have fever.

So he prescribed 7 days of Amoxicilin, I bought a generic.

For the last 3-4 days (the last 3-4 days of the weeks worth), I have been having really bad stomach problems. Gas and belching that is painfull, bloating, feeling tired. I get pains in the esophagus and chest area. I also get headaches.

Is this a side effect from the Amoxicilin? The gas/acid is really unpleasent. I got some Air-x(Gas-x?) and some other medication to take care of it, but it doesnt work that well.

Is there any other (natural) treatments that work well?

[FBN]

This is most probably a side effect of a high dose of Amoxicilin and not a hypersensitivity reaction.

Liver and gastro-intestinal side effects are common. Severe liver problems are rare but liver enzymes may rise while taking this.

Suggest to get natural or lactobacillus rich yoghurt and perhaps try Motilium for some of the GI side effects. Motilium, taken about 30 min before a meal helps to enhance stomach emptying and enhance bowel movement also, settling down the feeling of bloating. This is available over the counter.

If these side effects persists, it may be necessary to stop taking the antibiotic and change to another IF still indicated.

Try gargling with a Betadine (povidone iodine) gargle; usually, in the absence of fever, in an adult, this may be all that is needed. The mechanical effect of the gargling also helps to get rid of some of the infective or dead tissue on the tonsil.

[MrHammer]

Great information! Thanks a lot!

[haybilly]

A week ago I went to the doctor with a sore throat.

At first he told me it was just allergic, but when he looked in my mouth, he saw that my tonsils were very red and enlarged and had white 'puss' on them. He was surprised I didn't have fever.

So he prescribed 7 days of Amoxicilin, I bought a generic.

For the last 3-4 days (the last 3-4 days of the weeks worth), I have been having really bad stomach problems. Gas and belching that is painfull, bloating, feeling tired. I get pains in the esophagus and chest area. I also get headaches.

Is this a side effect from the Amoxicilin? The gas/acid is really unpleasent. I got some Air-x(Gas-x?) and some other medication to take care of it, but it doesnt work that well.

Is there any other (natural) treatments that work well?

Sorry--FBN posted whilst I was writing my piece--I bow to his vastly superior knowledge.

Edited June 21, 2009 by haybilly

[wasabi]

I have lost hearing due to the side effects of Antibiotics. It's a lesser known but very possible side effect.

[Gaccha]

A week ago I went to the doctor with a sore throat.

At first he told me it was just allergic, but when he looked in my mouth, he saw that my tonsils were very red and enlarged and had white 'puss' on them. He was surprised I didn't have fever.

So he prescribed 7 days of Amoxicilin, I bought a generic.

For the last 3-4 days (the last 3-4 days of the weeks worth), I have been having really bad stomach problems. Gas and belching that is painfull, bloating, feeling tired. I get pains in the esophagus and chest area. I also get headaches.

Is this a side effect from the Amoxicilin? The gas/acid is really unpleasent. I got some Air-x(Gas-x?) and some other medication to take care of it, but it doesnt work that well.

Is there any other (natural) treatments that work well?

I don't concur with the other writers.

It seems a classic rare reaction to this antibiotic. I would immediately switch to a non-penicillin based alternative. You can opt for azithromycin. This is cheap, widely-available in Thailand and very unlikley to cause intestinal problems. It will not be as immediately effective as a penicillin antibiotic but "you pays your money and you takes your choice". Do 400mg orally for 5 days. If no improvement by Day 4 repeat the cycle.

I don't know your dose. And I don't understand how the other writer below inductively concluded you were taking a high dose. Your 7 day cycle is a routine cycle.

Ignore the comment about hearing loss. It is unknown for Amoxicillin. Aminoglycosides can cause hearing loss, so avoid them if it is a particular concern.

It would be best to check out the bacteria's sensitivity in the lab, but you probably just want to get going straight away on an alternative antibiotic.

If it still does not work then you can escalate to drugs of last reosrt (such as Vancomycin) but only do this after getting a laboratory check the vulnerability of the bacteria.

[MrHammer]

A week ago I went to the doctor with a sore throat.

At first he told me it was just allergic, but when he looked in my mouth, he saw that my tonsils were very red and enlarged and had white 'puss' on them. He was surprised I didn't have fever.

So he prescribed 7 days of Amoxicilin, I bought a generic.

For the last 3-4 days (the last 3-4 days of the weeks worth), I have been having really bad stomach problems. Gas and belching that is painfull, bloating, feeling tired. I get pains in the esophagus and chest area. I also get headaches.

Is this a side effect from the Amoxicilin? The gas/acid is really unpleasent. I got some Air-x(Gas-x?) and some other medication to take care of it, but it doesnt work that well.

Is there any other (natural) treatments that work well?

I don't concur with the other writers.

It seems a classic rare reaction to this antibiotic. I would immediately switch to a non-penicillin based alternative. You can opt for azithromycin. This is cheap, widely-available in Thailand and very unlikley to cause intestinal problems. It will not be as immediately effective as a penicillin antibiotic but "you pays your money and you takes your choice". Do 400mg orally for 5 days. If no improvement by Day 4 repeat the cycle.

I don't know your dose. And I don't understand how the other writer below inductively concluded you were taking a high dose. Your 7 day cycle is a routine cycle.

Ignore the comment about hearing loss. It is unknown for Amoxicillin. Aminoglycosides can cause hearing loss, so avoid them if it is a particular concern.

It would be best to check out the bacteria's sensitivity in the lab, but you probably just want to get going straight away on an alternative antibiotic.

If it still does not work then you can escalate to drugs of last reosrt (such as Vancomycin) but only do this after getting a laboratory check the vulnerability of the bacteria.

I took the last dose yesterday, stomach getting better but not good yet, also still have headaches. Whats there to do beside waiting it out and staying away from coffee etc.?

[Gaccha]

A week ago I went to the doctor with a sore throat.

At first he told me it was just allergic, but when he looked in my mouth, he saw that my tonsils were very red and enlarged and had white 'puss' on them. He was surprised I didn't have fever.

So he prescribed 7 days of Amoxicilin, I bought a generic.

For the last 3-4 days (the last 3-4 days of the weeks worth), I have been having really bad stomach problems. Gas and belching that is painfull, bloating, feeling tired. I get pains in the esophagus and chest area. I also get headaches.

Is this a side effect from the Amoxicilin? The gas/acid is really unpleasent. I got some Air-x(Gas-x?) and some other medication to take care of it, but it doesnt work that well.

Is there any other (natural) treatments that work well?

I don't concur with the other writers.

It seems a classic rare reaction to this antibiotic. I would immediately switch to a non-penicillin based alternative. You can opt for azithromycin. This is cheap, widely-available in Thailand and very unlikley to cause intestinal problems. It will not be as immediately effective as a penicillin antibiotic but "you pays your money and you takes your choice". Do 400mg orally for 5 days. If no improvement by Day 4 repeat the cycle.

I don't know your dose. And I don't understand how the other writer below inductively concluded you were taking a high dose. Your 7 day cycle is a routine cycle.

Ignore the comment about hearing loss. It is unknown for Amoxicillin. Aminoglycosides can cause hearing loss, so avoid them if it is a particular concern.

It would be best to check out the bacteria's sensitivity in the lab, but you probably just want to get going straight away on an alternative antibiotic.

If it still does not work then you can escalate to drugs of last reosrt (such as Vancomycin) but only do this after getting a laboratory check the vulnerability of the bacteria.

I took the last dose yesterday, stomach getting better but not good yet, also still have headaches. Whats there to do beside waiting it out and staying away from coffee etc.?

Give it around 7 days for the drugs to leave your system. If it is still going on then with a sense of urgency you need to see a neurologist.

The probably lesson of this is tell your doctor that you are probably allergic to Penicillin when you next need a course.

[Sheryl]

A probitic (lactobacillus) may help with the stomach. Nstursl unsweeyten4ed yogurt if you c sn find it (I think Villas market sells it) or Infloran, whichi s a brand of lactobacillus sold OTC in Thailand, altho ony thelarger pharmacies are likelyto have it. It requires refrigeration.

[Dakhar]

I have lost hearing due to the side effects of Antibiotics. It's a lesser known but very possible side effect.

It is the "mycin" (ie streptomyacin) antibiotics which are known to damage hearing. I am not aware of amoxil harming hearing and amoxil is an old antibiotic, so I would think we would know about it by now.

but when in doubt use "google"

Viagra can even mess up hearing too....

lucky for me.... I don't need it.

[Dakhar]

A week ago I went to the doctor with a sore throat.

At first he told me it was just allergic, but when he looked in my mouth, he saw that my tonsils were very red and enlarged and had white 'puss' on them. He was surprised I didn't have fever.

So he prescribed 7 days of Amoxicilin, I bought a generic.

For the last 3-4 days (the last 3-4 days of the weeks worth), I have been having really bad stomach problems. Gas and belching that is painfull, bloating, feeling tired. I get pains in the esophagus and chest area. I also get headaches.

Is this a side effect from the Amoxicilin? The gas/acid is really unpleasent. I got some Air-x(Gas-x?) and some other medication to take care of it, but it doesnt work that well.

Is there any other (natural) treatments that work well?

I don't concur with the other writers.

It seems a classic rare reaction to this antibiotic. I would immediately switch to a non-penicillin based alternative. You can opt for azithromycin. This is cheap, widely-available in Thailand and very unlikley to cause intestinal problems. It will not be as immediately effective as a penicillin antibiotic but "you pays your money and you takes your choice". Do 400mg orally for 5 days. If no improvement by Day 4 repeat the cycle.

I don't know your dose. And I don't understand how the other writer below inductively concluded you were taking a high dose. Your 7 day cycle is a routine cycle.

Ignore the comment about hearing loss. It is unknown for Amoxicillin. Aminoglycosides can cause hearing loss, so avoid them if it is a particular concern.

It would be best to check out the bacteria's sensitivity in the lab, but you probably just want to get going straight away on an alternative antibiotic.

If it still does not work then you can escalate to drugs of last reosrt (such as Vancomycin) but only do this after getting a laboratory check the vulnerability of the bacteria.

Well there you go.... a mycin 'Vancomycin' if amoxil does harm your hearing the other just might. I am a fan of zythromax, which is also a mycin if memory serves me right. But I have yet to meet anyone that has lost their hearing due to zytromax, and that drug has been around for at least a decade. What ever you do, be careful, and good luck.

[BigSnake]

Didn't know about this side effect, daughter was prescribe this medication recently. She eat a lot of bread/fruits and veggies with her meals so maybe that is why we didn't notice this side effect, good info to note for future reference. Thanks Mr HAMMER

[Gaccha]

I have lost hearing due to the side effects of Antibiotics. It's a lesser known but very possible side effect.

It is the "mycin" (ie streptomyacin) antibiotics which are known to damage hearing. I am not aware of amoxil harming hearing and amoxil is an old antibiotic, so I would think we would know about it by now.

but when in doubt use "google"

Viagra can even mess up hearing too....

lucky for me.... I don't need it.

a. Mr Hammer has no hearing loss issues

b. the mycin hearing loss is a reversible impairment

c. it is not the mycins that are "known to damage hearing"

d. the placebo in clinical trials 'caused' as much hearing loss as the antibiotic

e. the group categorisation is not "streptomyacin" or "mycins", it is 'macrolides'

[MrHammer]

A week ago I went to the doctor with a sore throat.

At first he told me it was just allergic, but when he looked in my mouth, he saw that my tonsils were very red and enlarged and had white 'puss' on them. He was surprised I didn't have fever.

So he prescribed 7 days of Amoxicilin, I bought a generic.

For the last 3-4 days (the last 3-4 days of the weeks worth), I have been having really bad stomach problems. Gas and belching that is painfull, bloating, feeling tired. I get pains in the esophagus and chest area. I also get headaches.

Is this a side effect from the Amoxicilin? The gas/acid is really unpleasent. I got some Air-x(Gas-x?) and some other medication to take care of it, but it doesnt work that well.

Is there any other (natural) treatments that work well?

I don't concur with the other writers.

It seems a classic rare reaction to this antibiotic. I would immediately switch to a non-penicillin based alternative. You can opt for azithromycin. This is cheap, widely-available in Thailand and very unlikley to cause intestinal problems. It will not be as immediately effective as a penicillin antibiotic but "you pays your money and you takes your choice". Do 400mg orally for 5 days. If no improvement by Day 4 repeat the cycle.

I don't know your dose. And I don't understand how the other writer below inductively concluded you were taking a high dose. Your 7 day cycle is a routine cycle.

Ignore the comment about hearing loss. It is unknown for Amoxicillin. Aminoglycosides can cause hearing loss, so avoid them if it is a particular concern.

It would be best to check out the bacteria's sensitivity in the lab, but you probably just want to get going straight away on an alternative antibiotic.

If it still does not work then you can escalate to drugs of last reosrt (such as Vancomycin) but only do this after getting a laboratory check the vulnerability of the bacteria.

I took the last dose yesterday, stomach getting better but not good yet, also still have headaches. Whats there to do beside waiting it out and staying away from coffee etc.?

Give it around 7 days for the drugs to leave your system. If it is still going on then with a sense of urgency you need to see a neurologist.

The probably lesson of this is tell your doctor that you are probably allergic to Penicillin when you next need a course.

I am almost sure I have taken penicilin before at least as a child. Hope I'm not allergic.

Curious, why would I want to see a neurologist? Can there be long term serious effects to this?

[mommysboy]

Just shows how different we are: I have never had a problem with this drug, but have milder stomach symptoms when taking doxycycline (use it for controlling acne-very good to). So I can sympathise and concur.

Also, don't discount the possibility that your symptoms were caused by whatever bug it was.

[Camelot]

I've been tested and I'm not allergic to penicillin. I avoid Amoxicillin, though, because it always gives me a pounding headache after the first day and makes me ache all over.

[Enjibenji]

A week ago I went to the doctor with a sore throat.

At first he told me it was just allergic, but when he looked in my mouth, he saw that my tonsils were very red and enlarged and had white 'puss' on them. He was surprised I didn't have fever.

So he prescribed 7 days of Amoxicilin, I bought a generic.

For the last 3-4 days (the last 3-4 days of the weeks worth), I have been having really bad stomach problems. Gas and belching that is painfull, bloating, feeling tired. I get pains in the esophagus and chest area. I also get headaches.

Is this a side effect from the Amoxicilin? The gas/acid is really unpleasent. I got some Air-x(Gas-x?) and some other medication to take care of it, but it doesnt work that well.

Is there any other (natural) treatments that work well?

I got tonsillitis(sp?) 1 week ago. Tonsils were bright red, had a bit of puss on one side too. Sore to swallow, talk, eat and drink. I had pretty severe pain from my right ear mostly when eating. Was at times pretty unbearable and had to bury my head in something until the pain subsided.

1 week on and I'm fine. No need for antibiotics or anything, just eat healthily, stay strong and wait up to a week for it to go.

If it hasn't gone in a week it's probably bacterial (right?) so should go down the antibiotics line. I think so anyway

[MrHammer]

A week ago I went to the doctor with a sore throat.

At first he told me it was just allergic, but when he looked in my mouth, he saw that my tonsils were very red and enlarged and had white 'puss' on them. He was surprised I didn't have fever.

So he prescribed 7 days of Amoxicilin, I bought a generic.

For the last 3-4 days (the last 3-4 days of the weeks worth), I have been having really bad stomach problems. Gas and belching that is painfull, bloating, feeling tired. I get pains in the esophagus and chest area. I also get headaches.

Is this a side effect from the Amoxicilin? The gas/acid is really unpleasent. I got some Air-x(Gas-x?) and some other medication to take care of it, but it doesnt work that well.

Is there any other (natural) treatments that work well?

I got tonsillitis(sp?) 1 week ago. Tonsils were bright red, had a bit of puss on one side too. Sore to swallow, talk, eat and drink. I had pretty severe pain from my right ear mostly when eating. Was at times pretty unbearable and had to bury my head in something until the pain subsided.

1 week on and I'm fine. No need for antibiotics or anything, just eat healthily, stay strong and wait up to a week for it to go.

If it hasn't gone in a week it's probably bacterial (right?) so should go down the antibiotics line. I think so anyway

Yes, I would normally not have taken anything and the penicilin didnt work all that well I think. But the doctor seemed shocked to find out so he convinced me. Anyway, I read that penicilin doesnt work that well for tonsilitis and its given mostly to avoid the infection from spreading. Apparanely it can cause rheumatic heart fever but I thought that was only for children.

I will not be using it next time, thats for sure!

[mommysboy]

A week ago I went to the doctor with a sore throat.

At first he told me it was just allergic, but when he looked in my mouth, he saw that my tonsils were very red and enlarged and had white 'puss' on them. He was surprised I didn't have fever.

So he prescribed 7 days of Amoxicilin, I bought a generic.

For the last 3-4 days (the last 3-4 days of the weeks worth), I have been having really bad stomach problems. Gas and belching that is painfull, bloating, feeling tired. I get pains in the esophagus and chest area. I also get headaches.

Is this a side effect from the Amoxicilin? The gas/acid is really unpleasent. I got some Air-x(Gas-x?) and some other medication to take care of it, but it doesnt work that well.

Is there any other (natural) treatments that work well?

I got tonsillitis(sp?) 1 week ago. Tonsils were bright red, had a bit of puss on one side too. Sore to swallow, talk, eat and drink. I had pretty severe pain from my right ear mostly when eating. Was at times pretty unbearable and had to bury my head in something until the pain subsided.

1 week on and I'm fine. No need for antibiotics or anything, just eat healthily, stay strong and wait up to a week for it to go.

If it hasn't gone in a week it's probably bacterial (right?) so should go down the antibiotics line. I think so anyway

Yes, I would normally not have taken anything and the penicilin didnt work all that well I think. But the doctor seemed shocked to find out so he convinced me. Anyway, I read that penicilin doesnt work that well for tonsilitis and its given mostly to avoid the infection from spreading. Apparanely it can cause rheumatic heart fever but I thought that was only for children.

I will not be using it next time, thats for sure!

By the sounds of OP's gripes he has had a tough time, but the fact remains that when prescribed correctly, antibiotics are a very useful class of drugs that have certainly helped me personally, and saved many millions of lives.

[phetaroi]

By the sounds of OP's gripes he has had a tough time, but the fact remains that when prescribed correctly, antibiotics are a very useful class of drugs that have certainly helped me personally, and saved many millions of lives.

Agreed. The benefit of antibiotics cannot be over-estimated, depending on the malady. For example, a sore throat can be a minor infection or strep throat. Strep throat can lead to:

• Scarlet fever : a red, raised skin rash caused by toxins released by the bacteria
  
• acute rheumatic fever : sore joints, heart disease, involuntary movements and skin manifestations may occur
  
• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome : septic shock and multi-organ failure
  
• Glomerulonephritis : a form of kidney failure in which antibodies directed against the Streptococcus bacteria become lodged in the kidney, causing damage to the kidney itself
  
• PANDAS syndrome : a neurological disorder which can result in permanent injury. Symptoms include Obsessive-Compulsive type disorders and involuntary movements
  
• Herpes may be aggravated post-infection
  

Of course, on the other hand, people have tended, over the years, to begin taking antibiotics for every little infection, hence the problem with resistance. Just yesterday I developed a sore throat and ear infection (probably from too much air conditioning). My first thought was to run down and get amoxycillin. Instead I gargled throughout the day and put heat on my ear. Today, I am back to normal without any antibiotics.

[mommysboy]

By the sounds of OP's gripes he has had a tough time, but the fact remains that when prescribed correctly, antibiotics are a very useful class of drugs that have certainly helped me personally, and saved many millions of lives.

Agreed. The benefit of antibiotics cannot be over-estimated, depending on the malady. For example, a sore throat can be a minor infection or strep throat. Strep throat can lead to:

• Scarlet fever : a red, raised skin rash caused by toxins released by the bacteria
  
• acute rheumatic fever : sore joints, heart disease, involuntary movements and skin manifestations may occur
  
• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome : septic shock and multi-organ failure
  
• Glomerulonephritis : a form of kidney failure in which antibodies directed against the Streptococcus bacteria become lodged in the kidney, causing damage to the kidney itself
  
• PANDAS syndrome : a neurological disorder which can result in permanent injury. Symptoms include Obsessive-Compulsive type disorders and involuntary movements
  
• Herpes may be aggravated post-infection
  

Of course, on the other hand, people have tended, over the years, to begin taking antibiotics for every little infection, hence the problem with resistance. Just yesterday I developed a sore throat and ear infection (probably from too much air conditioning). My first thought was to run down and get amoxycillin. Instead I gargled throughout the day and put heat on my ear. Today, I am back to normal without any antibiotics.

Good on you - quite right.

Real tonsilitis (as is probable) can be quite a nasty infection, sometimes on par with the flu for severity of symptoms, and strep throat is no laughing matter either, in fact I think 5 days in bed is the standard. A friend of mine developed a very severe swelling in the throat that nearly choked him.

When I had tonsilitis I also suffered from stomach problems, and indeed vomited, and my thought was it was the amount of gunk going down in to my stomach.

Antibiotics can be very hard on the stomach though- forewarned is forearmed I guess.