Amoxicillin and milk - is that possible?

introduction

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic belonging to the aminopenicillin group. It contains ß-lactam as an active ingredient. The antibiotic can be used for many different infections and it fights some gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Due to the wide range of possible uses, it is one of the broad spectrum antibiotics. It can be used for infections of the gastrointestinal tract, the biliary tract, the respiratory tract and also for middle ear infections. Often the drug is taken in the form of tablets.

Read more on the topic: Amoxicillin dosage

How Amoxicillin Works

Amoxicillin is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The effect takes place via an inhibition of the cell wall of the bacteria. They build them up during their reproduction and need them to survive. The antibiotic inhibits an enzyme called transpeptidase. This enzyme is important in building certain substances for the cell wall. If this enzyme is now inhibited, the bacterium cannot build up its protective cell wall. The bacterium can no longer divide and eventually dies. This mode of action, killing the bacteria, is known as bactericidal. Some bacteria develop resistance, i.e. resistance forces, to drugs. This can also happen with amoxicillin. These bacteria have a specific enzyme, a beta-lactamase, that can make the active ingredient ineffective. For this reason, amoxicillin is given together with the substance clavulanic acid. Clavulanic acid binds the bacterial enzyme and thus prevents the inhibition of the antibiotic.

Interactions

Medication can in interaction with others Medicinal substances to step. This can either have the effect reinforced or canceled become. Furthermore, products that are poisonous or non-degradable for the body can arise, which can become a problem.

Other Antibioticsthat is also the growth of the bacteria should inhibit not together with amoxicillin be taken. These antibiotics include, for example Tetracyclines and Erythromycin. If they are taken at the same time, the drug substances are no longer effective, which would cause the therapy to fail.

It can also become a Enhancement of the amoxiclline effect and also unwanted side effects come. This can happen when using amoxicillin as well Anti-inflammatories how Phenylbutazone, a drug which rheumatism used, be taken.

Have a similar effect dehydrating drugs, as Diuretics be referred to, and also Medicines used to treat gout how Allopurinol.

Not only can the effects of amoxicillin be influenced, but also Amoxicillin itself can interfere with other drugs. So the antibiotic has an intensifying effect on the effectiveness of Heart medication. It refers to Cardiac glycosides how Digitoxinthat are used to treat a Heart failure or cardiac arrhythmias are used. In addition, it should be taken into account that when taking amoxicillin, a vaccination with a Live vaccine ineffective because the bacterial parts are killed.

You can also read the topic here: Itching when taking amoxicillin

Interaction with milk

Patients due to illness Antibiotics need to take, the question often arises whether they can easily take the drug with different foods. Especially with certain foods like milk and Dairy products many patients are unsure whether the antibiotic could then be lost. With many antibiotics should because of loss of effectiveness on the Consumption of dairy products should be avoided. The reason for this is that contained in milk and other dairy foods calcium, a mineral. The Calcium combines with some antibiotics too very difficult soluble compounds. The antibiotic can then take effect no longer unfold properly. In addition, it is not even properly absorbed into the organism. However, this does not apply to the antibiotic amoxicillin. Amoxicillin is generally very well tolerated and can problem-free with milk or Dairy products be taken.

Interaction with alcohol

Most of them Antibiotics applies that while taking the Consumption of alcohol not recommended becomes. Often the dangers are not specifically pointed out in the instruction leaflet, but interactions are known and should be taken seriously. It can too unwanted side effects come. The antibiotic and also the alcohol are absorbed into the body and there by the liver metabolized and broken down. The liver plays an important role in the Detoxification of the body, therefore also with Breakdown of alcohol. Since the liver is initially busy breaking down the antibiotic, the alcohol stays longer in the blood and develops its effectiveness. At the same time, however, alcohol also has a negative effect on them Breakdown processes of the antibiotic. Under certain circumstances, impaired degradation can occur, as a result of which the antibiotic increasingly accumulates in the liver. As a result, the liver can be damaged and its function restricted.