Penicillins
Amoxicillin
Chest infectionsEar infectionsSinus infectionsDental infections
This medicine is in the penicillin family. Side effects like sickness or diarrhoea are not an allergy — read what a penicillin allergy actually means.
Information follows NICE antimicrobial prescribing guidance and the BNF.
Common side effects
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
- Skin rash
- Thrush (mouth or vaginal)
How often each one happens varies by medicine and product, so check your leaflet. Many are mild, but ask your pharmacist or doctor if they are troublesome or do not settle.
Less common side effects
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Sore or discoloured tongue
Get medical help straight away if you notice
- Severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, or a widespread rash — call 999
- Severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea that will not stop
- Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
Taking it safely
- Can be taken with or without food.
- Finish the full course exactly as prescribed.
- Tell your prescriber if you have ever reacted to penicillin.
Report a side effect
You can report any suspected side effect to the UK Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.