Is Amoxicillin broad-spectrum antibiotic effective today?

Antibiotics are unique because they are widely used to treat many diseases. Despite the fact that they are broad-spectrum drugs, they are conventionally divided into groups depending on the current basis. We shall present you the main of them with the most famous representatives.

Penicillins

The penicillin group includes drugs that are united by the presence of β-lactam antibiotics. The natural source is the Penicillium fungi, the most active of them is benzylpenicillin. It is actively used since the late 40s of the 20th century. The basis of all representatives of this group is 6-aminopenicillanic acid (abbreviated 6-APC), which consists of a thiazolidine ring and β-lactam. Antibiotics of this group differ only in the name of the radical.

The main advantage of all penicillins is a bactericidal effect, which prevents the synthesis of peptidoglycan. This enzyme is the main component of the cell walls of bacteria, and its suppression leads to the death of bacteria.

Penicillin has been serving people for over 70 years Many microorganisms acquire resistance to antibiotics. The scientists have developed specially protected penicillins to overcome this ability, which is associated with the reproduction of special components - β-lactamase. These antibacterial agents include compounds that are able to stop the activity of β-lactamases (also called β-lactamase inhibitors) — namely clavulanic acid, tazobactam, and sulbactam. In addition to the use of these components, there is another way to overcome resistance— changing the components of penicillin-binding amino acids.

The penicillin group acts on peptidoglycan, and penicillin-binding protein molecules are absent in mammals. Thus, the antibiotics of this series practically do not have serious side effects. The complexity of the application can only be associated with possible allergic reactions. Taking penicillin drugs, some patients may experience skin rashes and laryngeal edema, which are accompanied by an increase in temperature.

The most common antibiotic used in infections of ENT organs is considered Amoxicillin. Its advantages (in particular, in the treatment of streptococcal angina) are high activity against strains of key pathogens (S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, H. influenzae) that do not produce beta-lactamase, as well as a low level of secondary resistance, a good safety profile, low Amoxil price, and ease of reception. Amoxicillin is characterized by proven efficacy in controlled clinical trials and the ratio "optimal Amoxil cost-effectivenessss."

Amoxicillin is taken in exacerbation of chronic, recurrent, complicated, bacterial infections of ENT organs and after previous therapy with aminopenicillins, which lasted a month.

The list of Amoxil online advantages includes bactericidal activity against a number of common infectious agents, low toxicity, and affordable cost. The mechanism of action of Amoxicillin is its ability to disrupt the synthesis of peptidoglycan — the main component of the cell membrane of microorganisms, which leads to the death of bacteria. At the same time, the drug does not have a systemic toxic effect.

If you receive it orally, Amoxil/Amoxicillin is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine, and its bioavailability is 75-90% (depending on the dose). Currently, this antibacterial drug is used as a first-line treatment for respiratory infections of bacterial etiology. However, the desired result is not always achieved. This is due to the fact that the forms of Amoxil pills have certain disadvantages. This is, firstly, large variability in the absorption (non-uniform absorption of the drug). That’s why, if you take film-coated pills, not more than 70% of cheap Amoxil works. Secondly, there is a risk of irritation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, which manifests itself in the form of dyspeptic disorders. In addition, the difficulty of swallowing pills is often underestimated. As a rule, patients crush tablets into pieces or into powder to facilitate swallowing. The same thing happens when taking capsules: many people just open them and use them without a shell. It should be remembered that violation of the integrity of the dosage form is unacceptable if we talk about antibacterial drugs! Grinding and crushing of pills and capsules makes them unsuitable for treatment, due to the change/loss of their inherent pharmacological properties and dramatically increases the potential danger of use.

Amoxil/Amoxicillin is used in the following cases: it is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by sensitive organisms:

• Lower respiratory tract infections (acute and chronic bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia);
• acute and chronic gastrointestinal infections, biliary tract (peritonitis, cholecystitis, intestinal infections);
• acute and chronic urinary infections (pyelonephritis, urethritis, gonorrhea);
• purulent soft tissue infections;
• sepsis;
• upper respiratory infections (tonsillitis, pharyngitis).

Do not take generic Amoxicillin in the following cases:

• hypersensitivity to Amoxicillin or to other beta-lactam antibiotics auxiliary substances contained in this drug;
• infectious mononucleosis and lymphatic leukemoid reactions.

Precautions and special instructions when taking Amoxil/Amoxicillin

There may be allergic reactions, including life-threatening ones, especially with increased sensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics. Before starting Amoxicillin without prescription therapy, inform the doctor about hypersensitivity to penicillins or cephalosporins in the past.

Using almost all antibiotics, the patients reported the cases of antibiotic-associated colitis, the severity of which can vary from mild to life-threatening. If you develop diarrhea during or after the use of antibiotics, you should immediately inform your doctor. The reception of Amoxicillin should be immediately stopped! The use of drugs that inhibit intestinal peristalsis is contraindicated. Patients which buy Amoxil had erythematous rashes, which were associated with glandular fever.

There is a possible development of microorganisms resistant to Amoxicillin. Inform the doctor about the lack of treatment effect. Appropriate correction of therapy is needed.