Sandoz Amoxicillin (Sandoz Canada, 250 mg, 500 mg): Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is Sandoz Amoxicillin used for?

Sandoz Amoxicillin 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 Sandoz Amoxicillin work?

Sandoz Amoxicillin 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. Sandoz Amoxicillin does not kill viruses.

What are the ingredients in Sandoz Amoxicillin?

Medicinal ingredients: amoxicillin (as amoxicillin trihydrate)

Non-medicinal ingredients:

250 mg capsules: Microcrystalline cellulose, Magnesium stearate, hard gelatin capsule size 2, normal yellow, opaque, (yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide and gelatin EP)

500 mg capsules: Microcrystalline cellulose, Magnesium stearate, hard gelatin capsule size 0, normal yellow, opaque (yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide and gelatin EP)

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

Sandoz Amoxicillin comes in the following dosage forms:

Sandoz Amoxicillin 250 mg: hard gelatin capsules, size 2, normal yellow, opaque

Sandoz Amoxicillin 500 mg: hard gelatin capsules, size 0, normal yellow, opaque

Do not use Sandoz Amoxicillin if:

• You have any allergies to this drug or to its ingredients (See “What are the ingredients in Sandoz Amoxicillin?”).
• 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 Sandoz Amoxicillin. 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 the possible side effects from using Sandoz Amoxicillin?”.
• 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 Sandoz Amoxicillin.

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 Sandoz Amoxicillin:

• 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 Sandoz Amoxicillin.

How to take Sandoz Amoxicillin:

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

Usual Adult dose:

For infections: 250 mg – 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.

For children over 20 kg, the adult dose should be used.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor.

Take Sandoz Amoxicillin between meals with a glass of water.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve.

Overdose:

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 Sandoz Amoxicillin?

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

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

Storage:

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C. Protect from heat and moisture.

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

If you want more information about Sandoz Amoxicillin:

• 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 (http://hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php); the manufacturer’s website www.sandoz.ca, or
• by calling 1-800-361-3062
• by e-mail: medinfo@sandoz.com

Sandoz Canada Inc.

145 Jules-Léger

Boucherville QC

J4B 7K8

Last revised: April 6, 2018