Apo-Amoxi: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Serious Warnings and Precautions

Some people taking penicillin antibiotics like APO-AMOXI (amoxicillin) have had serious allergic reactions, including severe skin reactions and death. If you have had an allergic reaction to penicillins, cephalosporins and other allergens, tell your healthcare professional before you start treatment with APO-AMOXI.

What is APO-AMOXI used for?

APO-AMOXI is used to treat certain bacterial infections. It may also be used to prevent infections in:

• Mouth, nose, tonsils and throat.
• Heart.
• Emergency situation.

How does APO-AMOXI work?

APO-AMOXI interferes with bacterial cell wall. This helps to:

• Stop growth of bacteria.
• Kill the bacteria.
• Reduce the infection.

Some infections are caused by viruses, such as the common cold. APO-AMOXI does not kill viruses.

What are the ingredients in APO-AMOXI?

Medicinal ingredient: amoxicillin (as amoxicillin trihydrate)

Non-medicinal ingredients:

250 mg and 500 mg capsules: Allura red (E 129), brilliant blue (E 133), erythrosine (E127), gelatin, iron oxide yellow (E172), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate and titanium dioxide (E171).

125 mg / 5 mL and 250 mg / 5 mL powder for oral suspension: Bubble gum flavour, colloidal silicon dioxide, edetate disodium, FD&C Red No.3, silicon dioxide, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, sucrose and xanthan gum.

If you are on a special diet, or if you are allergic to any substance, ask your healthcare professional whether any of these ingredients may cause a problem.

APO-AMOXI comes in the following dosage forms:

APO-AMOXI is available in two different dosage forms: Capsules and Powder for Oral Suspension.

APO-AMOXI Capsules:

• APO-AMOXI 250 mg capsules are imprinted with “AMX” on a maroon cap and “250” on a yellow body with black ink.
• APO-AMOXI 500 mg capsules are imprinted with “AMX” on a maroon cap and “500” on a yellow body with black ink.

APO-AMOXI Powder for Oral Suspension:

• APO-AMOXI Powder for Suspension: 125 mg / 5 mL and 250 mg / 5 mL
• After reconstitution, each mL of bubble gum flavoured pink suspension contains amoxicillin trihydrate equivalent to 25 or 50 mg of amoxicillin, respectively. The reconstituted suspension is stable for 7 days at room temperature (15°C - 30°C) or 14 days if refrigerated (2°C - 8°C). Discard unused portion. Available in bottles of 100 mL and 150 mL.

Do not use APO-AMOXI if:

• You have any allergies to this drug or to its ingredients (See “What are the ingredients in APO-AMOXI?”).
• You have allergy to packaging components of this drug.
• You have allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins or similar antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalexin and others.
• You have a mononucleosis (either suspected or confirmed).

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take APO-AMOXI. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• have a history of hypersensitivity reactions to beta-lactams (ampicillin, piperacillin, etc). See “What are possible side effects from using APO-AMOXI?”.
• have been taken blood thinners (such as warfarin, etc.).
• have a history of mild diarrhea or colitis influenced by the use of antibiotics.
• have kidney problems.

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Talk to your doctor about how to feed your baby while you are taking APO-AMOXI.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with APO-AMOXI:

• anti-cancer drug (such as Methotrexate).
• medicines used for heartburn or gout (such as probenecid, cimetidine, etc.).
• blood thinner medications (such as warfarin, etc.) that used to thin the blood and prevent clots – may predispose you to the development of bleeding problems.
• birth control pills (it may reduce effect of contraceptives).
• antibacterial medicines (such as tetracyclines) may lower effectiveness of APO-AMOXI.

How to take APO-AMOXI:

Antibacterial drugs like APO-AMOXI treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections. Although you may feel better early in the treatment, APO-AMOXI should be used exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of APO-AMOXI could lead to the growth of bacterial that will not be killed by APO-AMOXI (resistance). This means that APO-AMOXI may not work in the future.

Do not share your medicine.

Ask your pharmacist about the other products you take. Some medicines will affect the way that your body absorbs APO-AMOXI.

Usual adult dose:

For infections: 250 mg to 500 mg every 8 hours or a single dose of 3 g.

For prevention: 3 g once before procedure, then 1.5 g every 6 hours.

Usual children’s dose:

Your doctor will tell you how much APO-AMOXI to give your child based on their weight and the severity of their infection. The children’s dose should not exceed the adult dose. For children over 20 kg, the adult dose should be used.

For the oral suspension, please administer using the syringe provided by your pharmacist to ensure the correct dose is given.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. Take APO-AMOXI between meals with a glass of water. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve.

Overdose:

If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much APO-AMOXI, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada's toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.

Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness.

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

What are possible side effects from using APO-AMOXI?

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking APO-AMOXI. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

APO-AMOXI can cause abnormal blood test results. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

• Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
• Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.

NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Storage:

Capsules: Store at room temperature between 15°C - 30°C.

Dry Powder: Store at room temperature between 15°C - 30°C. Protect from light and moisture. Keep bottle tightly closed.

Reconstituted Suspension: The reconstituted suspension is stable for 7 days at room temperature (15°C - 30°C) or 14 days if refrigerated (2°C - 8°C). Discard unused portion. Protect from light. Keep bottle tightly closed.

Do not use after the expiry date. Generally, all expired medications should be returned to your pharmacist.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about APO-AMOXI:

• Talk to your healthcare professional.
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website (http://www.apotex.ca/products), or by calling 1-800-667-4708.

Last Revised: MAR 5, 2026