amoxicillin
trihydrate
(amoxycillin)
Amoxil, Apo-Amoxi (CAN), DisperMox,
Moxatag, Novamoxin (CAN), Nu-Amoxi
(CAN), Polymox, Trimox, Wymox
Nursing Considerations
• Patients with mononucleosis shouldn’t
receive amoxicillin because this class of
drugs may cause an erythematous rash.
• Use drug cautiously in patients with hepatic
impairment.Monitor hepatic and renal
function and CBC, as ordered, in patients
on prolonged therapy. Also use cautiously
in breast-feeding and elderly patients.
• Expect to start therapy before culture and
sensitivity test results are known.
• Be aware that chewable tablets and tablets
for oral suspension contain phenylalanine.
• Don’t confuse amoxicillin tablets with
amoxicillin tablets for oral suspension
(DisperMox). They’re not interchangeable.
WARNING If allergic reaction occurs, stop
amoxicillin immediately and provide
emergency care as indicated and ordered.
•Monitor patient closely for diarrhea,
which may indicate pseudomembranous
colitis caused by Clostridium difficile. If
diarrhea occurs, notify prescriber, expect
to withhold amoxicillin, and treat with
fluids, electrolytes, protein, and an antibiotic
effective against C. difficile.
• Expect treatment that lasts at least 10 days
for hemolytic streptococci infections.
• Monitor patient for superinfection. If it
occurs, expect to discontinue drug and
provide treatment as ordered.
PATIENT TEACHING
• Tell patient to refrigerate reconstituted suspension
and to shake well before each use.
•When amoxicillin suspension is prescribed
for a child, instruct parents to place it
directly on child’s tongue to swallow. If
this doesn’t work, tell parents to mix dose
of suspension with formula or cold drink
(milk, fruit juice, ginger ale, water) and
have child drink it immediately.
• Instruct patient using DisperMox tablets
to place one tablet and about 2 teaspoonfuls
of water in a glass, drink entire mixture,
add more water to the glass, and
drink again to ensure delivery of full dose.
• Tell patient to chew or crush chewable
tablets and not to swallow them whole.
• To prevent infection from recurring, urge
patient to take amoxicillin for full length
of time prescribed, even if he feels better.
• Teach patient to report adverse reactions
and notify prescriber if infection worsens
or doesn’t improve after 72 hours.
• Urge patient to tell prescriber about diarrhea
that’s severe or lasts longer than
3 days. Remind patient that watery or
bloody stools can occur 2 or more months
after antibiotic therapy and may be serious,
requiring prompt treatment.
