Amoxicillin trihydrate is an antibiotic medication available in tablets, capsules and liquid form. As an antibiotic, it is only effective against illnesses caused by bacterial infections. A medical professional will generally try to confirm that an illness is being caused by a bacteria before prescribing this medication because the body can easily build up a resistance to the effects of amoxicillin trihydrate if it is administered without a bacterial infection present.
This antibiotic is closely related to penicillin. It can be prescribed for a wide variety of bacterial illnesses, ranging from ear, skin and bladder infections to sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea. The bacteria that cause salmonella infections can be susceptible to amoxicillin trihydrate as well, and it is also prescribed alongside another medication to treat bacteria-related stomach ulcers. It can also be prescribed to dogs and cats in cases wherein injuries have become infected or the animal has been diagnosed with an infection of staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria.
Although many types of bacteria are susceptible to amoxicillin, these organisms can quickly build up a resistance to the medication. Once it is prescribed, it is important to take the full prescription, even if most of the symptoms of the condition disappear. Even without the presence of symptoms, there still may be some bacteria left in the body. If the medication is stopped before it is completely eradicated, the remaining bacteria will build up a resistance and re-infect the body, so if amoxicillin is prescribed a second time, it may not work as well.
As it is a member of the penicillin family, individuals with an allergy to penicillin should not take this medication. Signs of a potentially dangerous allergic reaction include difficulty breathing due to swelling in the face and throat as well as the development of hives. These reactions should be reported to a medical professional, who will typically prescribe something else to treat the condition.
Many individuals who begin taking amoxicillin trihydrate will suffer from mild side effects that generally go away as the body adjusts to the medication. These include headaches; gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and stomach aches; or changes to the mouth, including a swollen tongue or the development of white patches on the tongue and sides of the mouth. There are more serious side effects that can occur with the medication, but these are generally rare. Seizures, flu-like symptoms such as a fever and sore throat, along with changes to a mental or emotional state should be reported to a health professional as soon as they occur.