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What are the Pros and Cons of Amoxicillin for Children?

Lee Johnson
Lee Johnson

The benefits of amoxicillin for children depend almost entirely on the side effects. The drug is a penicillin antibiotic and will therefore treat infections of the throat, middle ear, tonsils, larynx, lungs and skin. The potential side effects of the drug include insomnia, nausea, itching, vomiting, confusion, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Children are particularly susceptible to nausea when taking antibiotics, but this should be weighed against the benefit of killing the infection.

Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic, along with other drugs such as piperacillin, ticarcillin and ampicillin. These all generally work in the same way: by stopping bacteria from forming the vital cell walls that protect them. Over the course of treatment, the bacteria will be completely wiped out. This is the main benefit of amoxicillin for children, and the reason it is prescribed by doctors.

Amoxicillin is used to treat infections in the throat.
Amoxicillin is used to treat infections in the throat.

The drug is most effective for killing bacteria such as H. influenzae, N. gonorrhoea, E. coli and Streptococci. Generally, amoxicillin for children will come in the form of capsules or liquid medicine. Each dosage usually contains either 250 mg or 500 mg. The prescribing doctor will decide the amount of medication necessary according to each child’s individual case. Usually, amoxicillin is taken three times per day by children.

Amoxicillin can cause diarrhea and vomiting in some children.
Amoxicillin can cause diarrhea and vomiting in some children.

The most common side effects from amoxicillin for children are vomiting and diarrhea. Children can also experience related symptoms such as stomach pain and nausea. Although these side effects are not desirable, they aren’t cause to contact a doctor unless they are particularly severe or frequent. If a child vomits within half an hour of taking amoxicillin, he or she is required to take the dose again. If it is longer than half an hour after taking the medication, he or she should be fine until the next dose. It is important that the child be given sufficient fluids to replace those that have been lost through the vomiting or diarrhea.

Amoxicillin can be used to treat tonsillitis in children.
Amoxicillin can be used to treat tonsillitis in children.

Less common and more serious side effects of amoxicillin for children include skin rash, itching, shortness of breath and facial swelling. These side effects are associated with allergic reaction, and are likely to be a good reason to stop the course of amoxicillin. Any child exhibiting these symptoms should be taken to a hospital as soon as possible. If a child taking amoxicillin develops a lumpy red rash, this is indicative of glandular fever or another viral infection, and the child’s doctor should be contacted immediately.

Discussion Comments

turquoise
My grand-daughter is allergic to amoxicillin. She was prescribed it once and broke out in a rash immediately afterward. Thankfully, she didn't have more serious allergy symptoms like swelling. But she can't take any type of penicillin again. I don't think that allergy to amoxicillin is very common though.
literally45

@burcidi-- I'm sorry to hear that. My son took amoxicillin several times and never had any problems. On the contrary, he loved taking it!

He took the liquid one which comes in different flavors. The pharmacist asks which flavor you want and they just mix it in right there. My son had the banana flavored one and took it everyday without any fuss.

This is actually the only medication that I've been able to give my son without him spitting half of it in my face.

burcidi

My daughter had excessive diarrhea when she was on amoxicillin. The doctor had to give her medications to stop the diarrhea because she was at risk of being dehydrated.

I know that diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotics, but I was not expecting it to be so serious. I would like to warn parents whose children might be prescribed this antibiotic.

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    • Amoxicillin is used to treat infections in the throat.
      By: Alila Medical Media
      Amoxicillin is used to treat infections in the throat.
    • Amoxicillin can cause diarrhea and vomiting in some children.
      By: Oleksii Nykonchuk
      Amoxicillin can cause diarrhea and vomiting in some children.
    • Amoxicillin can be used to treat tonsillitis in children.
      By: Dmitry Naumov
      Amoxicillin can be used to treat tonsillitis in children.
    • Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common side effects of amoxicillin.
      By: elisabetta figus
      Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common side effects of amoxicillin.
    • Amoxicillin is most effective for killing bacteria such as E. coli.
      By: 4designersart
      Amoxicillin is most effective for killing bacteria such as E. coli.