Amoxicillin Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 23, 2024.
Applies to amoxicillin: oral capsule, oral powder for suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet extended release.
Serious side effects of Amoxicillin
Along with its needed effects, amoxicillin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking amoxicillin:
Incidence not known
- Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
- back, leg, or stomach pains
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloating
- blood in the urine
- bloody nose
- chest pain
- chills
- clay-colored stools
- cough
- dark urine
- diarrhea
- diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
- difficulty with breathing
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- fast heartbeat
- feeling of discomfort
- fever
- general body swelling
- headache
- heavier menstrual periods
- hives or welts
- increased thirst
- inflammation of the joints
- itching
- joint or muscle pain
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches
- nausea or vomiting
- nosebleeds
- pain
- pain in the lower back
- pain or burning while urinating
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- rash
- red, irritated eyes
- redness, soreness, or itching skin
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- sores, welting, or blisters
- sudden decrease in the amount of urine
- swollen, lymph glands
- tenderness
- tightness in the chest
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- unusual weight loss
- vomiting of blood
- watery or bloody diarrhea
- wheezing
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of Amoxicillin
Some side effects of amoxicillin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- change in taste
Incidence not known
- Agitation
- black, hairy tongue
- changes in behavior
- confusion
- convulsions
- discoloration of the tooth (brown, yellow, or gray staining)
- dizziness
- sleeplessness
- trouble with sleeping
- unable to sleep
- white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
- white patches with diaper rash
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to amoxicillin: oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet dispersible, oral tablet extended release.
General
The most frequently reported side effects were diarrhea, nausea, and skin rash.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vomiting
Frequency not reported: Hemorrhagic/pseudomembranous colitis, tooth discolored, black hairy tongue, glossitis, stomatitis
Postmarketing reports: Sore mouth/tongue[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Erythema, exanthema, rash
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, pruritus
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Angioedema, hypersensitivity vasculitis
Frequency not reported: Erythematous maculopapular rashes, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, bullous dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis/Lyell's syndrome, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, maculopapular rash, erythema nodosum, pemphigoid reactions[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Vulvovaginal mycotic infection[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, taste perversion
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Convulsion, dizziness, hyperkinesia
Frequency not reported: Reversible hyperactivity, central nervous system toxicity, encephalopathy[Ref]
Immunologic
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylaxis, serum sickness-like reaction
Frequency not reported: Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction[Ref]
Renal
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Crystalluria, interstitial nephritis
Frequency not reported: Nephropathy[Ref]
Hematologic
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Leucopenia, severe neutropenia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, bleeding time prolonged, prothrombin time prolonged
Frequency not reported: Anemia, thrombocytopenic purpura, eosinophilia, platelet function defective, lymphadenopathy[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Candidiasis, fungal/mycotic infection
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Mucocutaneous candidiasis
Frequency not reported: Intestinal candidiasis, oral moniliasis, vaginal moniliasis, fever, chills[Ref]
Hepatic
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, AST increased, ALT increased
Frequency not reported: Hepatic dysfunction, hepatic cholestasis, acute cytolytic hepatitis[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, acute severe dyspnea, pneumonitis allergic[Ref]
Local
Frequency not reported: Phlebitis, injection site pain[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Electrolyte disturbance, hypokalemia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Joint pain, arthralgia[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Agitation, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, behavior changed, hallucination[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best antibiotics for a tooth infection?
- Can you drink alcohol with amoxicillin?
- Does amoxicillin expire? Is it safe to take after expiration?
- Amoxicillin rash: When should I be concerned?
- What is the best antibiotic to treat strep throat?
- Is amoxicillin safe for dogs?
- Does amoxicillin help with tooth infection and pain?
- What's the difference between amoxicillin and penicillin?
- If I am allergic to penicillin, is it safe to use amoxicillin?
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Other brands
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Professional resources
- Amoxicillin monograph
- Amoxicillin (FDA)
- Amoxicillin Capsules (FDA)
- Amoxicillin Chewable (FDA)
- Amoxicillin Extended Release Tablets (FDA)
Other brands
Related treatment guides
References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Amoxil (amoxicillin)." SmithKline Beecham
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
4. (2017) "Product Information. Moxatag (amoxicillin)." Fera Pharmaceuticals
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.