Amoxicillin is an antibiotic drug for bacterial infections.

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat a variety of bacterial illnesses.

The treatment begins once the patient is diagnosed with the relevant ailment and the prescription is prescribed by the doctor. Amoxicillin is typically given three times per day, eight hours apart. The typical dosage is 500mg three times each day for ten days (Allen, 2016).

Amoxicillin has an action half-life of 61.3 minutes. In other words, around 60% of an oral amoxicillin dose should be removed through the urine in 6-8 hours. Additionally, the serum levels that can be detected are present for a period of 8 hours after an oral dose of the medication (F.A. Davis Company, 2015).

Area under the Curve

Pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin indicate that the mean area under the curve (AUC) stands at around 54.7 after the administration of 25mg/kg (Allen, 2016).

Absorption

Approximately 74-92% of amoxicillin is absorbed from the digestive tract. As such, a 400mg tablet has a bioequivalent of 5ml to the suspension form having 400mg/5ml (F.A. Davis Company, 2015).

Distribution

This medication is capable of circulating in almost all parts of the body tissues and fluids except the nervous system (the brain and spinal fluid). However, during cases of meningitis, amoxicillin can be distributed to the meninges. In the blood serum, about 20% of amoxicillin is bound to protein, and interstitial fluid also receives a significant level of the antibiotic. In other words, the medication is quickly disseminated to the lungs, bronchial secretions, maxillary sinuses, bile, pleural fluids, sputum and fluids of the middle ear. Limited concentrations reach the cerebrospinal fluid. However, the antibiotic can cross the placenta hence distributed via human milk (F.A. Davis Company, 2015).

Maximum Plasma Concentrations

250-500mg amoxicillin dose given orally leads to peaks in blood levels within 1-2 hours. The range lies between 3.5mcg/mL - 5.0mcg/mL and 5.5mcg/mL - 7.5mcg/mL consecutively. The plasma binding stands at 17-20% (F.A. Davis Company, 2015).

Taken with or without Food

Oral administration doesn’t require concern for meals. This is because food has negligible effects on bioavailability. However, the gastro-intestinal side effects can be reduced by providing meals. Likewise, liquids can be used during swallowing of the capsules (Allen, 2016).

References

Allen, H. (2016). Amoxicillin for infections. West Yorkshire: Patient Platform Limited.

F.A. Davis Company. (2015). Amoxicillin/clavulanate. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.