Amoxicillin
AmoxilPubChem CID 33613 · 3D model
Drag to rotate. Scroll or pinch to zoom.
Punches holes in the protective wall bacteria need to survive, causing them to burst apart before they can multiply.
How it works
Amoxicillin stops bacteria from building the tough outer wall they need to hold themselves together. It does this by blocking the proteins bacteria use to stitch the wall's building blocks into place. Without a solid wall, the bacteria can't withstand normal internal pressure and end up bursting apart, especially while they're trying to grow and divide. It's absorbed well when taken by mouth and works against a broad range of bacteria, though some strains have evolved an enzyme that can break the drug down and blunt its effect.
What it’s used for
Used to treat common bacterial infections including ear, sinus, and throat infections; urinary tract infections; skin infections; and lower respiratory infections like bronchitis and some types of pneumonia. Also prescribed for gonorrhea, and, combined with other medicines, to clear the stomach bacterium H. pylori that can cause ulcers.
- Mechanism
- Beta-lactam, inhibits cell wall synthesis
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Antibiotic