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If I am allergic to penicillin, is it safe to take amoxicillin?

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Amoxicillin can be used in both children and adults and effectively fights bacterial infections that attack the entire body and those located in a specific area or structure of our body. Despite this, its consumption should only be under the medical indications of the professional since misuse of the same in the dose or the duration of the treatment can have consequences on the person’s health.

Likewise, as with many medications, it could happen that this type of antibiotic is not well accepted by the body and ends up causing a reaction, so if you are one of the people who wonder if I can take Amoxicillin if I am allergic to penicillin, we invite you to know the answer in the following FastlyHealarticle.

What is Amoxicillin for?

Being an antibiotic, the main action of Amoxicillin is to interrupt growth and eliminate the different types of bacteria that can enter the body and that, when their population proliferates, generates an infection. This is achieved thanks to the fact that the composition of Amoxicillin interferes with the formation of the cell wall of bacteria, causing their death.

The specialist might recommend the use of Amoxicillin in people who suffer from:

  • The middle ear and sinus infections.
  • Respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
  • Urinary tract infections.
  • Conditions in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Skin infections
  • Soft-tissue disorders such as muscles and blood vessels.
  • Bone infection
  • Joint infections
  • Dental infections

This antibiotic is also used in the treatment to combat:

  • The Lyme Disease
  • In the prevention of bacterial endocarditis in people predisposed to this disorder.
  • In combination with other medications to eliminate Helicobacter pylori infection that affects the stomach can cause ulcers and stomach cancer.

However, it should be noted that taking Amoxicillin does not work for all types of infections since it is not effective against those caused by viruses such as colds or staph bacteria. In addition, some strains of bacteria can transform and resist the action of a said antibiotic. However, if it has worked, this can occur due to incorrect use or constant consumption. This is what is known as bacterial resistance to antibiotics. For this reason, it is essential that the doctor’s instructions are followed and that the doctor performs the pertinent tests in the case of resistant bacteria.

If I am allergic to penicillin, can I take Amoxicillin?

Penicillin allergy results from an abnormal reaction of the immune system to rejection of this antibiotic. It is not yet sure why this occurs in certain people. Still, when penicillin enters the body, it sends signals of the presence of what it considers a harmful agent, and numerous antibodies are released to attack it, which bind to cells. Tissues and a type of blood cell, when in contact with penicillin, causes inflammatory substances to be activated, initiating allergy symptoms. However, it is expected that this reaction does not manifest itself the first time the antibiotic is administered but at some later time when the person is already sensitized to penicillin.

When having an allergy to penicillin, which is the most widely used drug against bacterial infections, some people may want to self-medicate and opt for other recognized antibiotics such as Amoxicillin, thinking that they are not related and can be them safely. Still, Amoxicillin is a derivative of penicillin, and any substance obtained through it, for example, ampicillin, can cause an allergic reaction. So, you cannot take Amoxicillin if you are allergic to penicillin .

Despite this, it is not a strict rule that when suffering from an allergic process to penicillin, one will also suffer when administering antibiotics derived from it. Still, it is a very high-risk factor. There are many patients in whom it has been presented; this is why people allergic to penicillin should not take Amoxicillin as a preventive form. In some instances, even a tiny dose can trigger the reaction.

For this reason, it is essential never to self-medicate and go to the doctor to recommend an antibiotic belonging to another family with a lower probability of allergy but which may take longer to be effective or have a higher cost. Also, the specialist could perform a series of tests to determine if you are allergic to both penicillin and Amoxicillin or other derivatives, maintaining careful supervision to control any reactions that occur.

Amoxicillin allergy symptoms

Cases of allergy to penicillin and its derivatives, such as Amoxicillin, are not very frequent. In many patients suffering side effects such as certain types of rash or mild nausea that do not reflect in themselves, the symptoms of an allergic reaction are confused. which include:

  • Rash on the skin.
  • Urticaria.
  • Itch.
  • Swelling, especially of the lips, tongue, or face.
  • Crying eyes.
  • Wheezing

Taking Amoxicillin while allergic to penicillin can cause a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis, which can trigger symptoms that require immediate medical attention because it could be life-threatening due to a failure in the body’s systems. Therefore It is necessary to attend urgently if it manifests:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Throat swelling.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Weak and fast pulse.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Seizures

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Can I Take Amoxicillin if I am allergic to penicillin? We recommend that you enter our category of Medication and medical tests .

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