amoxycillin trihydrate 250 mg and 500 mg capsules
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet?
Please read this leaflet carefully before you take Amoxycillin-GA.
This leaflet answers some common questions about Amoxycillin-GA. It does not contain all of the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Sometimes new risks are found even when a medicine has been used for many years. Your doctor has weighed the expected benefits of you taking Amoxycillin-GA against the risks this medicine could have for you.
Take Amoxycillin-GA as instructed. If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What is Amoxycillin-GA used for?
Amoxycillin-GA contains a penicillin called amoxycillin as the active ingredient.
Amoxycillin-GA belongs to a group of medicines called penicillins
Amoxycillin-GA is used to treat a range of infections caused by bacteria. These may be infections of the chest (pneumonia), tonsils (tonsillitis), sinuses (sinusitis), urinary and genital tract, skin and fleshy tissues.
Amoxycillin-GA works by killing the bacteria that cause these infections. Amoxycillin-GA can also be used to prevent infection.
Your doctor may have prescribed Amoxycillin-GA for another reason.
There is no evidence that Amoxycillin-GA is addictive.
Before you take Amoxycillin-GA
Do not take Amoxycillin-GA if:
- you are allergic to penicillin or similar types of antibiotics such as cephalosporins. If you have ever had an allergic reaction (such as a rash) when taking an antibiotic you should tell your doctor before you take Amoxycillin-GA.
- you have ever had an allergic reaction to amoxycillin or any of the ingredients listed toward the end of this leaflet. (See “Ingredients”)
- the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
- the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Tell your doctor if:
- you are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines.
- you have ever had an allergic reaction (such as a rash) to any antibiotics in the past.
- you have glandular fever (mononucleosis) or a blood disorder.
- you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or are breast feeding. Amoxycillin-GA may be used during pregnancy (Australian Use in Pregnancy Category A). Amoxycillin-GA can pass to your baby from breast milk.
- you have liver or kidney problems. The dosage of Amoxycillin-GA may need to be changed or you may need to be given an alternative medicine.
- you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription. In particular tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
– medicines used to treat gout eg probenecid or allopurinol.
– the contraceptive pill. As with other antibiotics, you may need to use extra birth control methods eg. condoms.
– other antibiotics. These may interfere with the actions of Amoxycillin-GA.
– Anticoagulants (used to prevent blood clots) such as warfarin.
Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you which medicines are safe to take with Amoxycillin-GA.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you take any Amoxycillin-GA.
How do I take Amoxycillin-GA?
Follow your doctor’s instructions about how and when to take Amoxycillin-GA. Your doctor will advise how many doses are needed each day, and for how long you will need to take Amoxycillin-GA.
Please read the direction label carefully. If you have any concerns about how to take Amoxycillin-GA, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
How much Amoxycillin-GA to take:
Take Amoxycillin-GA as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
The usual dose of Amoxycillin-GA is one dose taken three times a day.
How to take Amoxycillin-GA:
Swallow Amoxycillin-GA 250mg and 500mg capsules whole with a glass of water.
Space the doses as evenly as possible throughout the day. For example, if you are taking Amoxycillin-GA three times a day, take a dose about every eight hours.
Amoxycillin-GA can be taken with or without food. The effects of Amoxycillin-GA are not changed by food.
How long to take Amoxycillin-GA for:
Keep taking Amoxycillin-GA until the course is finished or for as long as your doctor tells you.
Do not stop taking Amoxycillin-GA just because you feel better as the infection can return.
Do not stop taking Amoxycillin-GA, or change the dose without first checking with your doctor.
If you forget to take Amoxycillin-GA:
If you forget to take a dose of Amoxycillin-GA, take it as soon as you remember. Then go back to taking it as directed by your doctor.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you have missed. Do not take two doses within an hour or so of each other. Taking more than the prescribed dose can increase the chance of unwanted side effects.
What do I do if I take too much? (Overdose)
If you (or someone else) has taken a large amount of Amoxycillin-GA all at once, give plenty of water to drink and immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 131126) for advice, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Amoxycillin-GA, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital.
While you are taking Amoxycillin-GA
Things you must do:
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as directed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not working as it should and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist you are taking Amoxycillin-GA before starting any other prescribed medicine. Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work.
If you develop itching, swelling or a skin rash when you are taking Amoxycillin-GA, do not take any more Amoxycillin-GA and tell your doctor at once.
If you develop severe diarrhoea when taking Amoxycillin-GA tell your doctor as soon as possible. Do not take any medication to stop the diarrhoea (eg Lomotil or Imodium).
Things you must not do:
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use Amoxycillin-GA to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to.
Things to be careful of:
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Amoxycillin-GA affects you.
What are the side-effects?
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you think you are experiencing any side effects or allergic reactions due to taking Amoxycillin-GA, even if the problem is not listed below.
Like other medicines, Amoxycillin-GA can cause some side-effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
MILD EFFECTS
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following that are troublesome or ongoing:
- diarrhoea (several loose bowel movements per day), indigestion, feeling sick or being sick.
- soreness of the mouth or tongue
- overgrowth of yeast infections (thrush).
MORE SERIOUS EFFECTS
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- itching, rash
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- dark urine or pale stools
- difficulty or pain on passing urine.
- severe diarrhoea.
Stop taking Amoxycillin-GA and contact your doctor or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital if any of the following happens:
- Wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hayfever, lumpy rash (hives) or fainting. These could be symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Remember you should tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these, or any other unusual events or problems occur during or after treatment with Amoxycillin-GA.
This is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side-effects not yet known.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any side effects from your medicine which are not mentioned here.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side-effects. You may not experience any of them.
How do I store Amoxycillin-GA?
Keep your medication in the pack until it is time to take them.
Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it, such as in a locked cupboard.
Keep the pack in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not leave it in the car on a hot day. Do not store medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Return any unused or expired medicine to your pharmacist.
Product description
What Amoxycillin-GA looks like:
Amoxycillin-GA capsules are available as:
- red and yellow coloured capsules marked with ‘GS JVL’ containing 500mg of amoxycillin, or
- red and yellow coloured capsules marked with ‘GS LEX’ containing 250mg of amoxycillin.
Ingredients:
All Amoxycillin-GA capsules contain the active ingredient amoxycillin.
Amoxycillin-GA capsules also contain the inactive ingredient magnesium stearate. The capsule shells are made of gelatin and contain the following colouring agents: erythrosine, indigo carmine, iron oxide yellow, titanium dioxide and Opacode White A-R 9658.
Amoxycillin-GA capsules do not contain lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Supplier:
Your Amoxycillin-GA is supplied by:
Ascent Pharma Pty Ltd
151-153 Clarendon Street
South Melbourne Victoria 3205
www.ascentpharma.com.au
For further information call 1800 554 414
Amoxycillin-GA capsules are only available if prescribed by a doctor.
Amoxycillin-GA capsules come in the following packs:
- 500mg capsules in blister packs of 20 capsules
(AUST R 197486) - 250mg capsules in blister packs of 20 capsules
(AUST R 197485)
The information provided applies only to Amoxycillin-GA.
Prepared on August 2012
Version 1.0
Published by MIMS October 2012