Antibiotic Questions: Amoxicillin, Bacteria & Side Effects

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Discussion Overview

This discussion revolves around the use of amoxicillin for dental infections, including side effects, the types of bacteria involved in tooth infections, and the implications of taking the antibiotic with or without food. Participants share personal experiences and seek clarification on these topics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes a past experience of developing a black patch on the tongue while taking amoxicillin, questioning why this side effect is absent this time.
  • Another participant suggests that the black tongue may be due to an overgrowth of yeast, which is normally kept in check by oral bacteria.
  • There is discussion about the efficacy of taking amoxicillin with or without food, with some stating that it has little effect on absorption, while others mention that side effects may be more pronounced on an empty stomach.
  • Some participants express curiosity about the specific bacteria that cause tooth infections, with one noting that amoxicillin is effective against a range of bacterial infections.
  • One participant mentions that the pharmacist's advice to take the medication on an empty stomach may be based on the belief that it enhances absorption, although this is not universally agreed upon.
  • Another participant provides a link to a paper discussing bacteria involved in dental infections, indicating interest in the microbiological aspects of the issue.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of personal experiences and opinions regarding the side effects of amoxicillin and its administration. There is no consensus on the necessity of taking the antibiotic on an empty stomach, and the discussion about the bacteria involved in tooth infections remains open-ended.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources and personal anecdotes, but there are unresolved questions regarding the specific bacteria responsible for dental infections and the implications of food intake on medication efficacy.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals dealing with dental infections, those curious about antibiotic side effects, and readers seeking insights into the relationship between medication and food intake.

zoobyshoe
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Had to go to the dentist last week and she prescribed amoxicillin for an infection. This has always worked well for me.

In the past when I've taken this particular antibiotic I've had the experience of my tongue developing a kind of black patch, which is listed as a common side effect. This time that is not happening. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas why it isn't.

The other question I have is whether anyone knows the usual bacteria one might expect to cause infected teeth. The x-ray showed a pocket of infection at the tip of the root. I'll be getting a root canal. But I'm curious if there's one particular bacteria that usually does this sort of thing or if any of many might be responsible.

Dose is 500mg every 6 hours for seven days. There is a sticker on the bottle which says to take on an empty stomach. I wondered why. Googling gave contradictory info, saying you could take it with or without food, there being no difference.
 
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Dang! I have no medical info but I sure do have sympathy. I've had a bad tooth/bone infection twice - they are no fun at all! I hope the amoxicillin works for you. Quickly.
 
It has little effect on efficacy whether you take it with or without food, but, side effects may be more annoying on an empty stomach.
 
lisab said:
Dang! I have no medical info but I sure do have sympathy. I've had a bad tooth/bone infection twice - they are no fun at all! I hope the amoxicillin works for you. Quickly.
Thanks! I've also got industrial strength ibuprofen, and that is working great for the pain. The root canal will prevent continued infection.
Chronos said:
It has little effect on efficacy whether you take it with or without food, but, side effects may be more annoying on an empty stomach.
Some medical authority must think it makes a difference since the pharmacist is instructed to put the sticker on the bottle. I didn't find anything online that explained why an empty stomach should be better, though. It's inconvenient to try and make sure your stomach is empty when it's time to take the capsule. Requires juggling of mealtimes.
 
zoobyshoe said:
Some medical authority must think it makes a difference since the pharmacist is instructed to put the sticker on the bottle. I didn't find anything online that explained why an empty stomach should be better, though. It's inconvenient to try and make sure your stomach is empty when it's time to take the capsule. Requires juggling of mealtimes.

Unlike some other beta lactam antibiotics, amoxicillin is well absorbed with or without food. You might ask your pharmacist why your Rx is labeled as it is. Some might believe it will be absorbed faster on an empty stomach, but that is not the "official" recommendation.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR600253/DSECTION=proper-use
 
SW VandeCarr said:
Unlike some other beta lactam antibiotics, amoxicillin is well absorbed with or without food. You might ask your pharmacist why your Rx is labeled as it is. Some might believe it will be absorbed faster on an empty stomach, but that is not the "official" recommendation.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR600253/DSECTION=proper-use
Thanks. It seems from that link the pharmacist may be thinking of amoxicillin as a form of penicillin.
 
The black tongue is just an overgrowth of a certain yeast right? I think the bacteria in your mouth normally keep it at bay but with the meds the yeast overgrows?

That would be my only guess as to what causes it, I don't think I've ever experienced it on amoxicillin.
 
zoobyshoe said:
Thanks. It seems from that link the pharmacist may be thinking of amoxicillin as a form of penicillin.

He would be correct then. :smile:
wiki said:
Amoxicillin is one of the semisynthetic penicillins discovered by Beecham scientists.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amoxicillin#Proprietary_preparations

The only relevant difference I can discern between amoxicillin and other penicillin derivatives is that amoxicillin is easily absorbed (as SW Vandecarr mentioned) than other β-Lactam antibiotics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Β-Lactam_antibiotic -includes penicillin derivatives and others) which therefore, need to be taken in a relatively empty stomach. (because food restricts absorption of the drug- probably because drug concentration is reduced- /pure conjecture)

EDIT: Get well soon. (Forgot about that...I am a horrible person)
 
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Enigman said:
The only relevant difference I can discern between amoxicillin and other penicillin derivatives is that amoxicillin is easily absorbed (as SW Vandecarr mentioned) than other β-Lactam antibiotics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Β-Lactam_antibiotic -includes penicillin derivatives and others) which therefore, need to be taken in a relatively empty stomach. (because food restricts absorption of the drug- probably because drug concentration is reduced- /pure conjecture)

In fact, amoxicillin is an aminopenicillin similar to ampicillin and is a third generation penicillin with activity against gram negative organisms (which is generally lacking in the natural penicillins). It's considered a broad spectrum antibiotic. There are now five generations of penicillin derivatives with further extensions of antimicrobial spectrums. Amoxicillin is generally recommended for community acquired bacterial infections of the ear, sinuses and teeth and is effective against a number of bacterial respiratory infections.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10090000

Btw, I don't merely wish for zoobyshoe to get better. I insist that he does ASAP.
 
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  • #10
Student100 said:
The black tongue is just an overgrowth of a certain yeast right? I think the bacteria in your mouth normally keep it at bay but with the meds the yeast overgrows?

That would be my only guess as to what causes it, I don't think I've ever experienced it on amoxicillin.
It could be I don't currently have any of this yeast in my system, whereas I must have in the past. My diet is in constant flux.
 
  • #11
Enigman said:
He would be correct then. :smile:
Didn't mean to imply that he'd be incorrect, just unable to think laterally and consider that the same regimen didn't apply despite one being a derivative of the other.

EDIT: Get well soon.
Thanks!
I am a horrible person
Get well soon!
 
  • #12
SW VandeCarr said:
Btw, I don't merely wish for zoobyshoe to get better. I insist that he does ASAP.
Thanks! I'm actually headed to the dentist in a minute for the first session. Later I'll be feeling that icky facial numbness for a while, I'm afraid.
 
  • #13
zoobyshoe said:
I am a horrible person
Get well soon!

Ack! Totally forgot that you had a tendency to do that...
:smile:
 
  • #14
zoobyshoe said:
Thanks! I'm actually headed to the dentist in a minute for the first session. Later I'll be feeling that icky facial numbness for a while, I'm afraid.

Ugh, the tingles :rolleyes: (rolleyes is the closest we have to an asymmetric smiley).
 
  • #15
lisab said:
Ugh, the tingles :rolleyes: (rolleyes is the closest we have to an asymmetric smiley).
It turned out to be pretty extreme, but I don't really mind because over-numbing is better than under-numbing. Still, afterward you're distracted by how insensate your face is. It's hard to fully concentrate on anything else till it wears off.

On a different note, in case anyone is interested in what bacteria are involved, I eventually found this paper:

http://jmm.sgmjournals.org/content/58/2/155.long
 

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