Taking amoxicillin without food will not reduce its efficacy. In this regard, you can take the medicine even if you have not eaten yet. Still, a lot of people encounter GI side effects, such as nausea, while being treated. If you are one of them, taking amoxicillin alongside a meal can lower your chance of experiencing negative adverse reactions. Let’s find out whether it is possible to take amoxicillin on an empty stomach?
What Is Amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic, a semi-synthetic penicillin. It was FDA-approved in 1974. Nowadays, it belongs to the most prescribed medications in the USA and the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.
How Amoxicillin Works
Amoxicillin is a bactericidal antibiotic which means it kills bacteria cells rather than stopping their growth. Its molecules attach to penicillin-binding proteins of the pathogenic cell and inhibit transpeptidation (a process that is a part of cell wall synthesis). This triggers the activation of autolytic enzymes that start cell wall lysis—the process of breaking down. When the cell wall of the bacteria is destroyed, the cell dies.
Very common is a combination of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. It inhibits beta-lactamase—the enzyme produced by bacteria that destroys amoxicillin molecules, thus enhancing the effect of the drug.
Why People Use Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is widely used to address infectious diseases caused by susceptible pathogens. This covers infections of the skin, ears, nose, throat, lower respiratory and urinary tracts. It can be prescribed to prevent bacterial infections after surgery, such as tooth extraction, particularly in those with poor immune response.
Amoxicillin With Food or Empty Stomach?
While you should administer certain antibiotics on an empty stomach, amoxicillin is not one of them. It will continue to work the same whether you take it with or without food. To lower your chance of a GI disorder, you can take amoxicillin with meals if you have a sensitive stomach.
How to Take Amoxicillin
You should never take an antibiotic without a doctor’s prescription or neglect their recommendations regarding the dosing schedule. For safe and efficient therapy, consider the following advice.
Food
You can take amoxicillin with food or empty stomach if you tolerate it well. If you are prone to an upset stomach, take the drug right with your meals. If you experienced antibiotic-associated diarrhea before, eat more probiotic food to support your gut health, such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, etc.
Do not crush or chew
If you were prescribed amoxicillin in extended-release tablets or capsules, do not crush, chew, or sprinkle them on food. The broken integrity of the pill may affect its efficacy. A chewable tablet, on the other hand, should be chewed before swallowing. Dispersible tablets are to be dissolved in water before taking.
Complete the course
Even if you feel better already, complete the full treatment course as prescribed to ensure the full eradication of bacteria. Failing to do so may result in the disease coming back, stronger and more resistant to treatment.
Dose spacing
Amoxicillin is usually prescribed to be administered every 12 or 8 hours. However, it does not mean that you should wake up in the middle of the night to take the medicine. Unless your doctor specifically told you to do so, you can simply take your prescribed dose of amoxicillin 2 or 3 times per day, spaced evenly through available time, at least 4 hours apart. If in doubt, ask your healthcare provider for advice.
Amoxicillin Dosage
The dose of amoxicillin will be determined by a doctor who prescribes the drug. It depends on the patient’s age, weight, type of infection they have, severity of their condition, etc. In adult patients, the daily dose of the drug varies from 750 mg to 1750 mg.
Forms
The oral (to be taken by mouth) forms of amoxicillin include:
- chewable/dispersible tablets;
- extended-release tablets;
- capsules;
- tablets;
- powders for oral suspension.;
There are also parenteral forms (injections) but they are mainly used in hospital environments.
Tips for Remembering Doses
It is best to avoid missing a dose of your antibiotic. To do so, you can set a reminder on your phone or put stickers where you will see them to help you remember.
If you still missed the dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time of the next dose, simply skip the forgotten one. Never take two doses at once or extra doses.
Contact your primary care physician if you have any questions.
Side Effects
The most typical adverse reactions to amoxicillin include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Individuals who are hypersensitive to the antibacterial may experience breathing difficulties, hives, swelling in the face, lips, or throat, and other symptoms. The moment you notice any of these signs, contact your physician.
Summary
Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that covers a variety of infections. It can be taken with or without food. When taken on an empty stomach, amoxicillin does not lose its effectiveness. Administer the medication with food if it makes you queasy, though.
FAQ
What happens if you take amoxicillin on an empty stomach?
Many people do not suffer any negative effects from doing so. The possibility of side reactions is individual.
Can you take amoxicillin if you didn’t eat?
Even if administered without food, amoxicillin retains its efficacy. Certain persons may encounter GI-related adverse effects.
Is amoxicillin better absorbed on an empty stomach?
Eating or not eating has no clinically meaningful impact on the medication’s effectiveness.
Can amoxicillin cause vomiting on an empty stomach?
Vomiting is among the possible adverse effects of the drug. You can take your dosage with meals to lessen the chance of it.