Can Amoxicillin Treat Gonorrhea and Chlamydia?
Yes, amoxicillin can treat gonorrhoea and chlamydia [1, 2]. However, in both diseases, amoxicillin is not the primary treatment.
Amoxicillin can be used for gonorrhoea but is not recommended. The causative agent is Neisseria gonorrhoea, a bacterium that develops resistance to penicillin by producing penicillinase, an enzyme that neutralizes the antibiotic.
The growing resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoea limits the number of effective antibiotics [3].
The CDC recommends ceftriaxone plus azithromycin as the primary treatment for gonorrhea. Amoxicillin, even though it can be effective, is not recommended and thus should not be used.
Similarly, amoxicillin can be effective for treating chlamydia, but is not recommended [4]. The CDC recommends other antibiotics such as doxycycline and azithromycin for treating chlamydia. Both of these antibiotics are preferred as they are more effective and have a lower risk of resistance.
What is Amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic. It belongs to the penicillin family and has a broad spectrum of activity. It is one of the most prescribed antibiotics worldwide [5, 6]. Various forms of amoxicillin can be taken. Among the most common are capsules and tablets [7].
What is Amoxicillin Used For?
Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can be used for many bacterial infections.
Most frequently, amoxicillin is given for infections of the nose, ear, or sinus. However, it can also be used for urinary tract infections [7].
Also, other diseases like lower respiratory tract and skin infections can be treated with amoxicillin [9, 7].
In children, a common infection is otitis media. In the treatment of this disease, doctors often use amoxicillin [7].
What are the Side Effects of Amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin can cause a range of side effects.
Among the common ones are:
- diarrhea,
- naussea,
- headaches,
- skin rash and vaginal yeast infections [10, 7].
Less frequently, amoxicillin can cause an allergic reaction. It can present with symptoms like itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue [10, 7].
In more serious cases, allergic reactions can lead to breathing problems, blisters, trouble sleeping, and seizures [10, 7].
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Can I Take Amoxicillin Without Doctor's Supervision?
Taking amoxicillin without a doctor's supervision is not recommended. There are several reasons why you should not take amoxicillin without consultation with a doctor.
Amoxicillin is a potent antibiotic. However, its dose and the length of the treatment vary [11]. You need to see your doctor to plan how much and for how long you have to take amoxicillin.
Also, taking amoxicillin without medical supervision can have serious consequences. Some of the side effects that you can experience when taking amoxicillin have to be seen by a doctor.
Amoxicillin, like many other drugs, can interact with many substances. Before taking medications, it has to be verified that no drugs or supplements interact with each other.
Additionally, regular and uncontrolled use of antibiotics is risky. It can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance [12].