Amoxicillin

 Risk Factor: BM
 Class: ANTI-INFECTIVES / Penicillins

Contents of this page:

Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers

Fetal Risk Summary

Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic similar to ampicillin (see also Ampicillin). No reports linking its use to congenital defects have been located.

Reproduction studies have been conducted in mice and rats at doses up to 10 times the human dose (1). No effect on fertility or fetal harm was observed at this dose.

The Collaborative Perinatal Project monitored 50,282 mother-child pairs, 3,546 of which had 1st trimester exposure to penicillin derivatives (2, pp. 297 313). For use anytime during pregnancy, 7,171 exposures were recorded (2, p. 435). In neither group was evidence found to suggest a relationship to large categories of major or minor malformations or to individual defects. Amoxicillin has been used as a single 3-g dose to treat bacteriuria in pregnancy without causing fetal harm (3,4).

In a surveillance study of Michigan Medicaid recipients involving 229,101 completed pregnancies conducted between 1985 and 1992, 8,538 newborns had been exposed to amoxicillin during the 1st trimester (F. Rosa, personal communication, FDA, 1993). A total of 317 (3.7%) major birth defects were observed (363 expected). Specific data were available for six defect categories, including (observed/expected) 76/85 cardiovascular defects, 16/14 oral clefts, 6/7 spina bifida, 17/24 polydactyly, 9/16 limb reduction defects, and 22/22 hypospadias. These data do not support an association between the drug and the defects.

Amoxicillin depresses both plasma-bound and urinary excreted estriol (see also Ampicillin) (5). Urinary estriol was formerly used to assess the condition of the fetoplacental unit, but this is now done by measuring plasma unconjugated estriol, which is not usually affected by amoxicillin.

Breast Feeding Summary

Amoxicillin is excreted into breast milk in low concentrations. Following a 1-g oral dose given to six mothers, peak milk levels occurred at 4-5 hours, averaging 0.9 g/mL (range 0.681.3 g/mL) (6). Mean milk:plasma ratios at 1, 2, and 3 hours were 0.014, 0.013, and 0.043, respectively. Although no adverse effects have been observed, three potential problems exist for the nursing infant: modification of bowel flora, direct effects on the infant (e.g., allergy or sensitization), and interference with the interpretation of culture results if a fever workup is required. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers amoxicillin to be compatible with breast feeding (7).

References

1. Product information. Amoxil. SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, 2000.
2. Heinonen OP, Slone D, Shapiro S. Birth Defects and Drugs in Pregnancy. Littleton, MA:Publishing Sciences Group, 1977.
3. Masterton RG, Evans DC, Strike PW. Single-dose amoxicillin in the treatment of bacteriuria in pregnancy and the puerperium-a controlled clinical trial. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1985;92:498505.
4. Jakobi P, Neiger R, Merzbach D, Paldi E. Single-dose antimicrobial therapy in the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1987;156:114852.
5. Van Look PFA, Top-Huisman M, Gnodde HP. Effect of ampicillin or amoxicillin administration on plasma and urinary estrogen levels during normal pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Biol 1981;12:22533.
6. Kafetzis D, Siafas C, Georgakopoulos P, Papadatos C. Passage of cephalosporins and amoxicillin into the breast milk. Acta Paediatr Scand 1981;70:2858.
7. Committee on Drugs, American Academy of Pediatrics. The transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics 1994;93:13750.
   
   

Questions and Answers

Could I be pregnant after taking amoxicillin with my BC pill?

I recently had my wisdom teeth pulled and I was put on amoxicillin for 8 days. During this time, I have been on the pill as well. I had sex on the last day of the antibiotics, but we used a condom. Over next 7 days I had sex twice and he pulled out. By the end of these 7 days, I skipped my inactive pills and was already 3 days into a new pill pack. Should I be worried about being pregnant?

It has happened to some people, and that's why they have to tell you that antibiotics can lessen the efficacy of your birth control pills. This doesn't mean that you are or aren't pregnant. If you're concerned, take a home pregnancy test or go see a doctor. That's the best way to put your fears to rest. And in the future, please keep in mind that pulling out is NOT an effective form of birth control.

is it safe to take Amoxicillin while pregnant?

the doctor perscribed me Amoxicillin for my strep throat and she knows i'm pregnant. i asked if it was safe to take it while pregnant and she said it is safe. is it safe to take Amoxicillin while pregnant?

I actually took Amoxicillin at the beginning of my pregnancy because I had a bladder infection. It was around the time when I found out I was pregnant. RIght now I'm 40 weeks pregnant and my baby is perfectly healthy. I think that's one of the prescriptions that are safe to take during pregnancy.

is amoxicillin advisable to take for pregnant women?

i am 1 month pregnant, i just to know if amoxicillin is advisable for me to take cos i have uti.

Amoxicillin is fine as long as you are not allergic to penicillin as its penicillin based.

I cant have penicllin

Can Amoxicillin be taken while pregnant?

I am taking amoxicillin for a sore throat. It is possible that I may be pregnant. Can this harm the baby if I am?

Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that is considered safe during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. Completion of the full course of prescribed antibiotics is important to prevent re-infection. You should contact the health provider who prescribed the antibiotic and let them know you are pregnant. As a general rule, it is wise to avoid medication during early pregnancy when the fetus is developing, but it is always important to weigh the risks (minimal in this case) with the benefits (treating an infection which may complicate pregnancy). It is important to remember that antibiotic use alters the normal flora in the vagina, predisposing some women to yeast infections. Try eating yogurt daily and avoiding the use of soap in the vaginal area. Yeast infections can be treated with medication during pregnancy. It is important to discuss the antibiotic use and any concerns about vaginal infections with your obstetric health care provider at your first visit.

Can you get pregnant taking Amoxicillin?

I have had a sore throat and a bit of a cough the last week, so my doctor put me on amoxicillin. We are TTC - expected ovulation is next weekend, April 4-6. I will probably still be on the medication. Will I still have the chance of conceiving then? Will the medication effect my ovulation or chances of conceiving?

You will still have a chance to cocieve but illness may cause you to ovulate late in your cycle so I would use ovulation predictor kit or just continue bd 'ing even after you think you ovulated.

I am 25 weeks pregnant and on amoxicillin for a sinus infection?

I started it yesterday morning and notice that everytime i take apill i get sick, feel a little weak and puke should i stop taking these and suffer or what?

It's important to treat the infection but call your doctor and let him know what you r experienceing. I had an infection too during pregnancy but never had any side effects

Taking amoxicillin when pregnant?

im 17 weeks pregnant and had a UTI, my ob prescribed me to take a 500mg amoxicillin 3X for 7 days. Though shes an Ob and she said its okay, im still hesistant to take it afraid that it will harm the baby.

I just had a UTI and took antibiotics for about 4/5 days - Im not very good at taking tablet because still getting Morning sickness.
i think it was that or something similar. I was like you to but as long as your doctor knows you are pregnant and have said its fine then don't worry. I took mine from monday do friday last week and i heard the heartbeat last week and can feel the baby move to. I have been on other anti biotics to in the pregnancy to. Sometimes its better to treat the infections asap as things like UTI can turn into kidney infections if not treated which can be dangerous in pregnancy.
Good Luck xx

is it safe to be on amoxicillin or keflex continuously for 6 months while pregnant?

iam 14 weeks pregnant with my second child and am having recurring uti's.which i also had with my first.i also have kidney reflux.my docter wants me on the drugs for the rest of my pregnancy.
iam concerned about possible long term effects on myself and unborn baby.i have an appointment in a couple of days but wanted to have some information before i agree to this.

well usually for UTI's they dont use Keflex or amoxicillin....those arent the usual drugs. Usually they use bactrim, macrobid, and there's a few more that are used specifically with UTI's. Im sure its safe if they want you to take them, however, being on them long term like that, there's a very high chance after a while they will not work, as your body just gets immune to the antibiotic itself.

Has anyone got pregnant whilst taking amoxicillin and Birth Control Pill? ?

I'm just interested to know! I am taking the BCP and have been prescribed a 7 day course of amoxicillin for an ear infection. The doctor was really emphatic about how we should use extra protection until my next pill free week (he mentioned it 3 times!), and it got me wondering (in a Carrie from SATC way) - has anyone actually got pregnant mixing the two?

My baby #2 was due to a mixture of BCPills & Amox.
If you really don't want a baby... take doc's advise & use extra protection. Otherwise abstain from sex for awhile.
Good luck!