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Amoxicillin and Pain: What Users Say

Brand names: Amoxil, Apo-Amoxi

Pain: mentioned by 34 users (9.3%)

Based on user experiences from 366 Amoxicillin reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

diarrhea 13.1%
pain 9.3%
nausea 7.7%
headaches 6.3%
tiredness 6.0%
upset stomach 5.2%
vomiting 3.8%
yeast infection 3.8%
itching 3.6%
anxiety 3.3%

Reviews for Amoxicillin

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Sad...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 9, 2021

For Dental Abscess "Oh my, such a painful tooth infection top back molar. Crying waking up in the middle of the night with the pain. Cannot eat or bite down. Dentist has given me 5 days of amoxicillin and I am now on day 2. Reading through this thread gives me some hope that on perhaps day 4 I will be pain-free. Dental pain has got to be the worst."

7 / 10
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81 Report
  • mil...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 23, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Only used this to cure my UTI so it wouldn't spread to a kidney infection. But the side effects are absolutely horrific! I can't deal with this much longer. I'm supposed to take 500 mg/3x a day for 7 days, but I'm cutting it short. I'll do it for 5 days because it's day 3, and I already want to stop it. My side effects: • All day long nausea • Extreme constipation • Abdominal cramping/pain from the gas trapped and constipation • Difficulty fluctuating • NO appetite whatsoever, every food sounds disgusting and hard to eat • Anxiety and fear mixed with deep sadness • Fatigued and weak • Feeling like I'm slowly dying but trying to make it through each day, day by day • Debilitating - I hardly want to go out and do anything, need to sit out a lot."

1 / 10
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92 Report
  • Sam...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 18, 2020

For Dental Abscess "I had one of my teeth infected twice since 2018. I went to a dentist, it was infected, but the dentist told me to take it out, which was a good idea. Unfortunately, I didn’t agree. The first time I took the amoxicillin antibiotics, it’s amazing. It killed all the bacterial infections I had. Then I felt better. Now it’s 2020. I got another infection in the same tooth with COVID-19. I could only go to an emergency dentist, which was okay. They took an X-ray. I got an infection, the tooth is dead, not worth it to keep. I was going to take it out, it’s charging more money. Plus, I got my insurance, and they don’t take it. I ended up with amoxicillin 500 mg. It’s the best. It took pain away, which was unbearable. But when I chew, the upper surface touches the lower one where the infection is, while squeezing the food. My nerve, ahh, my God, it gets me to a pain again. So the bottom line is amoxicillin is the best still."

3 / 10
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46 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Lau...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 7, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Have IBS, recently got worse, so was given this antibiotic in case I had an infection. Felt fine day 1, day 2 began to feel nauseous, abdominal pains, acid reflux, extremely tired, loss of appetite, headache, and feeling very ill in general. I was taking 3x 500g every day but only managed to get to day 2 till I stopped. Wouldn’t recommend this antibiotic if you already have stomach problems!!"

1 / 10
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33 Report
  • Ble...
  • October 21, 2018

For Dental Abscess "Been on this medication for 3 and a half days with absolutely no relief, only pain continuing into the ear and below cheekbone to neck with a little lymph node and yeast. I'm tempted to quit, but I'm trying to see if I'll get any positive result."

1 / 10
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34 Report

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  • Sli...
  • March 25, 2021

For Dental Abscess "Six months ago, I went to the dentist in regard to my back bottom molar. Took it for 3 days for pain to become manageable. Well, it went away until I started eating my celery sticks once more (munch, munch, munch), then again, on amoxicillin, every time my top back molar touches that bad tooth, I see birds flying around my head, not robins, but blackbirds, okay, not literally. Immense pain, taken max dose of paracetamol, did nothing! I took ibucalm - got 2 hours of sleep but woke, realizing my back upper teeth were grinding on the 'PAINFUL TOOTH' at the bottom. I've got panda eyes. Lost 3 lbs, 45 mins after soup, the pain goes CRAZY. Once, I had a slice of bread and I nearly went to war on myself when I chewed on the back tooth. I'm in agony, sometimes I want to cry, other times I want to smash things up, and when I've taken ibucalm, I get to watch a bit of TV. My poor tummy isn't used to this starvation. My weight scales, however, are delighted. Wishing HEALING on everyone. I know Day 5, I should feel human again."

9 / 10
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24 Report
  • Win...
  • July 5, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm on Day 5 out of 7 and am calling it quits and trying a different one tomorrow. The side effects hit me all at once on Day 3. I got extreme exhaustion and muscle weakness. I couldn't even lift my arms without feeling exhausted. I got really irritable and had extreme mood swings (yelling, crying). I got heart palpitations and extreme anxiety/paranoia. Strange rubber feeling in my mouth, weird thoughts. On Day 4, I started hallucinating a bit (nothing extreme but it was terrifying). Every muscle in my body aches. Oh, and I checked to see if my infection improved with an at-home test, and it's still there! I quit, this is honestly the worst drug I have ever had in my life and didn't do anything. I can't wait for this to wear off."

1 / 10
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42 Report

More FAQ

  • Sho...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 15, 2020

For Dental Abscess "Got put on amoxicillin liquid suspension for 5 days to clear up a dental abscess. Whole right side of face is swollen. After 5 days, the swelling is the same, no results at all. Lost 3 days' money so far because I'm missing work due to the pain. Have booked another dentist appointment for the morning to hopefully get put on some stronger antibiotics or get something done to this horrible abscess. Never felt so run down in my life. I have a toddler, and I would gladly choose the pain over having more children than having this dental pain."

1 / 10
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27 Report
  • Lil...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 24, 2017

For Dental Abscess "Honestly, this medicine isn't working at all. My dentist gave it to me last Thursday, and I am still in a lot of pain today, even more actually. Not only is my tooth still hurting, but my jaw, left ear, and left side of my head hurt as well. I am in a lot of pain."

1 / 10
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32 Report
  • Rae...
  • April 29, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Been given as I have an infection in my wisdom tooth, for which I've got a specialist consultation in 2 weeks' time. So far, had 6 of these tablets (one 3x a day, so I'm about to go onto day 3). No pain relief and no sleep. Not slept right in over a week now, but the pain is becoming unbearable. I take morphine, paracetamol, and naproxen for health conditions, and none of these have worked with my body. My dentist didn't give me anything apart from the antibiotics and just told me within 2 days, I'll be much more painless as the paracetamol should work with the antibiotics. It's 2:28 AM on the 3rd day, several hours before my 7th pill, and I'm in so much pain and so tired but cannot sleep. Seem not to work for me, feels like it's getting worse. Will update."

1 / 10
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29 Report
  • Cha...
  • July 7, 2021

For Middle Ear Infections "I was diagnosed with otitis media. It’s been 9 days. On the first day, I lost hearing in my left ear. On the second day, I started experiencing pain and went to the ER. The pain was getting severe, and now I had discomfort in my right ear. It was so severe, it radiated to my jaw and my neck. The doctor prescribed me 7 days of amoxicillin (3 times a day) and to take ibuprofen. It took 3 days for the severe pain to subside. It still feels like my ears are full, and I’m extremely irritable. I went to the doctor yesterday (day 8) as there has not been much improvement since the pain subsided and I was almost done with my prescription. She prescribed me an extra 4 days of amoxicillin and to take Sudafed. The Sudafed helped relieve some of the pressure in my ears. The infection is very much still there. In my 9 days, I had pain, nausea, difficulty eating, loss of appetite, and off and on my throat feels sore. I am so over this! The amoxicillin worked a bit, but I am nowhere near feeling 100%."

3 / 10
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14 Report
  • Pau...
  • August 30, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "I was treated in an Urgent Care Center for an infection. I am rather sensitive to antibiotics and so warned the nurse treating me. She prescribed the drug (875 mg, 2X daily). I took the first pill with a meal about 6 PM. I awoke at 2 AM with tremendous abdominal pain and diarrhea. I called 911 and was taken to the hospital via ambulance. I was there for 5 days while they treated me mainly for dehydration. I was near death."

1 / 10
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28 Report
  • Diz...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 21, 2020

For Dental Abscess "Woke up to entire left side swollen the size of a basketball. Went to the ER, and they gave me two shots of a strong antibiotic. The dr prescribed 500 mg Amoxicillin and Metronidazole three times a day. I’ve been on both for four days, and although a lot of the swelling has gone down, it hasn’t at the site of the tooth that is causing the abscess. It’s still just as bad, and the only thing that has worked for the pain is ice packs applied constantly to the site of swelling. Thank goodness for ice packs. They are the only reason I’ve been able to sleep. Hopefully, the antibiotics will work better over the next few days, or it’s back to the ER, as it will be four more days before the dentist's office opens."

4 / 10
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16 Report
  • nnn...
  • February 25, 2021

For Dental Abscess "My mam hasn't eaten for the last five days because of the pain in her mouth. Three days ago, we went to the A&E, and the doctor said that these antibiotics should help. They didn't. She is still taking them, hoping for the best. Every day, she looks weaker and has barely moved out of bed for the past two days. I am absolutely losing my mind, and I'm terrified of what will happen to her. I've tried everything, but she can't eat at all because of the extreme amount of pain it causes her. Even the private dentist said she can't do anything and my mam should get better the same day - that was two days ago. If anyone at all has any advice, please, please give it to me. I have to take care of my three younger siblings, which doesn't bother me, but seeing my mam in this state absolutely breaks my heart and terrifies me. I searched up what could happen to her, and apparently, your body slowly shuts down after five days of not eating."

1 / 10
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13 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 25, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I curse the day I was given amoxicillin. The course left me with terrible sores, back and hip pain, kidney damage (not sure yet if it's reversible or not). I was never told about the risks, only asked if I was allergic to amoxicillin, to which I said 'No' because I had taken them before. However, on this occasion, it was more heavily prescribed (maximum dose), which caused me to react with a lot of pain and discomfort. Make sure you understand the risks before taking."

1 / 10
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17 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 25, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I curse the day I was given amoxicillin. The course left me with terrible sores, back and hip pain, kidney damage (not sure yet if it's reversible or not). I was never told about the risks, only asked if I was allergic to amoxicillin, to which I said 'No' because I had taken them before. However, on this occasion, it was more heavily prescribed (maximum dose), which caused me to react with a lot of pain and discomfort. Make sure you understand the risks before taking."

1 / 10
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17 Report
  • sha...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 10, 2013

For Middle Ear Infections "I was diagnosed with an inner ear infection 5 days ago and prescribed amoxicillin 500 mg three times a day. I'm a nurse and don't go to the doctor, but the pain was unbearable. Within 24 hrs of taking this, I no longer needed pain medicine, but still had a dull pain. Within 48 hrs, the pain was gone. This antibiotic worked great for me."

9 / 10
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24 Report
  • Gan...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 6, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Had a nasty tooth infection from an untreated wisdom tooth and felt like it was going to be the end of me. Didn’t handle the infection in time, had nausea, abdominal pain, the works. (Hence, felt like death). I’m 115 lbs, and they put me on 875 mg 2x a day. The first night I could feel the difference! Amazing stuff!"

10 / 10
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12 Report
  • jaw...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 3, 2025

For Middle Ear Infections "My jaw was popping and hurt. It was an ear infection. My earwax was brown/red. I took 125 mg 3 or 4 times a day. Food is good. It cleared up the infection quickly. I still took the entire bottle, of course!"

10 / 10
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1 Report
  • apa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 8, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I was given a prescription of amoxicillin capsules for ten days to help fight a strep throat infection. My throat started getting better within the first day. By the second day, my throat didn't hurt at all. On the third day, however, I started experiencing serious side effects. I had severe diarrhea and abdominal pain that were so bad that I stopped taking the capsules. I was in bed for two days with agonizing cramps and frequent visits to the toilet. I lost my appetite and didn't eat for two days. It is now the sixth day after starting to take amoxicillin, and the cramps and diarrhea are gone. The strep infection has returned. I will not go back to the amoxicillin. Instead, I will wait for the infection to heal without any medicine. The cramps were so painful that I wouldn't intentionally go through that again unless there was a better reason to do it."

4 / 10
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12 Report
  • Jes...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 5, 2019

For Dental Abscess "I have 4 impacted teeth in my jaw, and I've been experiencing pain. Along with a painkiller, a doctor prescribed me amoxicillin as a precaution until I speak to the oral surgeon. I feel like the jaw pain may have eased, but I've also got new problems like headache, intestinal and stomach pain, bloating, shakiness, and anxiety I can only contribute to the side effects of amoxicillin."

4 / 10
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12 Report
  • Gar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 5, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Day one, nauseous. Day two, vomiting. Oh my gosh, day three: diarrhea three times, horrible, and nighttime bad aches and pains. Now I've had sepsis, worst pain ever, say a 10/10. Amoxicillin 6/10 for pain, can't sleep, helps if you sit up at night, try distracting yourself by reading!"

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • Gar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 5, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Day one, nauseous. Day two, vomiting. Oh my gosh, day three: diarrhea three times, horrible, and nighttime bad aches and pains. Now I've had sepsis, worst pain ever, say a 10/10. Amoxicillin 6/10 for pain, can't sleep, helps if you sit up at night, try distracting yourself by reading!"

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • DOY...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 5, 2022

For Dental Abscess "Had slight toothache for a couple of weeks that gradually got worse. Eventually, it was keeping me awake most of the night. Went to the dentist on Monday, where they diagnosed an infection/abscess due to a previous filling that was quite deep. Prescribed amoxicillin, but gradually over the next few days, the pain got even worse, almost unbearable. The sleepless nights got worse. Ended up ringing my dentist back on Thursday and told them that I couldn’t take the pain anymore. Six hours later, I was in the dentist getting the tooth pulled. Last time I had an infection in my wisdom tooth, amoxicillin cleared it pretty quickly, but this time, four days in, the symptoms were just increasing. It’s mentioned in here already, but if anyone is going through intense pain from a tooth abscess, try cold/ice water. Have a drink of it and hold it in your mouth where the tooth is. Gave me some temporary relief for a little bit."

4 / 10
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5 Report
  • Ant...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 12, 2021

For Dental Abscess "Now on day 3, and the pain is the worst it’s ever been. Luckily, I have an appointment at 9 a.m. in the morning to remove the tooth, only 16 hours to wait. Lol. For me, after 3 days, amoxicillin has done nothing except increase the pain."

1 / 10
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6 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.