Amoxicillin dosage

Per the FDA label, mild-to-moderate ear/nose/throat, urinary, or skin infections are treated with '500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours.' Severe infections and all lower respiratory tract infections use '875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours.' The prescriber picks the schedule based on the infection.

For children over 3 months, the label uses weight-based dosing: mild/moderate infections at '25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours,' and severe or lower-respiratory infections at '45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours.' Children 40 kg or more are dosed as adults, and infants 3 months or younger should not exceed 30 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours.

It depends on the infection - MedlinePlus notes 'the length of your treatment depends on the type of infection that you have,' and advises taking it 'until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better.' For strep throat/tonsillitis, the FDA label recommends 'at least 10 days' treatment' to prevent rheumatic fever. Never stop early just because symptoms improve.

A 500 mg dose is taken either every 8 hours or every 12 hours depending on the regimen. The label uses '500 mg every 8 hours' for severe infections and lower respiratory tract infections, and '500 mg every 12 hours' for mild-to-moderate infections. Take doses at evenly spaced times, with or without food.

Yes - never exceed the prescribed dose. The highest routine adult regimen on the label is 875 mg every 12 hours; taking more does not work faster and raises the risk of side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and crystalluria. People with reduced kidney function need lower doses (see renal adjustments). If an overdose is suspected, contact Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or seek emergency care.

Strep throat and urinary tract infections fall under the label's ear/nose/throat and genitourinary categories - typically '500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours' (severe cases '875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours'), with strep needing at least 10 days. Dental (tooth) infections are not a specific FDA-labeled amoxicillin indication; dentists prescribe it based on dental-society guidance, commonly 500 mg every 8 hours. In every case the prescriber matches the regimen to the diagnosis - use this only as a reference.

Once amoxicillin starts fighting a susceptible bacterial infection, many people notice symptoms easing within the first few days of treatment - less fever, less pain, more energy. Feeling better, though, is not the same as being cured: the bacteria are being knocked down but are not all gone. MedlinePlus is explicit that you should 'Take amoxicillin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better,' because 'If you stop taking amoxicillin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.' If you are not starting to improve after a few days - or you get worse at any point - do not just keep waiting: MedlinePlus advises, 'If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.' Some infections also carry their own minimum: for strep throat, the FDA label calls for at least 10 days of treatment to help prevent rheumatic fever, regardless of how quickly you feel well.