What It Is
Amoxicillin belongs to a class of medicines called penicillins, a broader category of antibiotics, and is one of the most widely used antibiotics in the world.
What It's Used For
Amoxicillin is generally used to treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria, commonly including certain respiratory infections, ear infections, urinary tract infections, and some skin infections.
How It Works
Amoxicillin works by interfering with bacteria's ability to build their cell walls. Bacterial cells rely on a rigid outer wall for structural support, and amoxicillin blocks the specific enzymes bacteria use to construct and maintain this wall. Without a properly functioning cell wall, bacteria become unstable and are ultimately destroyed, particularly as they attempt to grow and divide, which is why antibiotics in this class are generally more effective against actively multiplying bacteria.
History and Regulatory Status
Amoxicillin was developed as an improvement on earlier penicillin-based antibiotics, with researchers aiming to create a version that was better absorbed when taken by mouth and effective against a broader range of bacteria. It was introduced for clinical use in the early 1970s and quickly became one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics due to its effectiveness and generally favorable tolerability compared to some earlier antibiotics. It remains available today, typically as a prescription medicine, and is included on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines.