Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic doctors use to treat bacterial infections, such as:
- tooth infection
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- respiratory infections
- sinus infection
- tonsilitis
It comes in various forms, including:
- capsules
- tablets (chewable and regular)
- oral suspension (liquid)
Amoxicillin is not available over the counter and requires a prescription from a healthcare professional. Amoxicillin is a generic drug, but it comes in brand-name versions like Amoxil and Moxatag.
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How long does amoxicillin take to kick in?
How long it takes for amoxicillin to kick in may vary based on how quickly your body metabolizes it. The timeframe may also vary based on what form of amoxicillin you are taking. For example, amoxicillin extended-release capsules may take longer to kick in than other forms.
Most forms of amoxicillin will start working as soon as you take your dose. The drug immediately starts working against the bacteria causing the infection, but it may take a couple of days for you to notice some relief from the symptoms of your infection.
After 6 hours of taking amoxicillin, your body will remove 50% to 85% of the medication. But amoxicillin may still be detectable in your blood for 8 hours after your dose.
Here are some common timeframes for a few of the conditions that doctors use amoxicillin to treat:
- Tooth infection: Amoxicillin typically starts working within a few days for a tooth infection. You may start feeling relief from pain and see a reduction in swelling.
- Respiratory infection: For chest infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, amoxicillin typically starts to work within 2 to 3 days. You may notice relief in your coughing and ease of breathing during this time.
- UTI: Amoxicillin usually starts to work within 1 to 2 days for a UTI. You may notice less painful urination and a decrease in the frequency you need to urinate.
- Strep throat or tonsillitis caused by bacteria: Amoxicillin may start working within 2 to 3 days for strep throat or tonsillitis. Symptoms like sore throat, fever, and difficulty swallowing may ease during this time.
- Sinus infection: For a sinus infection, amoxicillin typically takes 2 to 3 days to start working. You may notice relief from sinus pressure, congestion, and facial pain within this timeframe.
How soon will I feel better after taking amoxicillin?
For most bacterial infections, you should feel better within a few days. But even if you start feeling better, it’s important to continue taking amoxicillin for the full amount of time your doctor has prescribed. This will help stop your infection from coming back and will help prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.
How long it may take to feel better after starting amoxicillin may vary by condition:
- Tooth infection: It may take around 7 to 10 days to feel completely better. However, this timeframe may vary based on the severity of the infection.
- Respiratory infection: Complete recovery from a chest infection typically takes about 7 to 14 days. You should notice a gradual relief in your symptoms during this period.
- UTI: For a UTI, you may feel better within 3 to 7 days of starting amoxicillin treatment.
- Strep throat or tonsillitis caused by bacteria: It may take 7 to 10 days to feel completely better after starting your amoxicillin treatment. You may notice that your symptoms have gradually eased during this time.
- Sinus infection: Recovery from a sinus infection may take around 10 to 14 days. Sinus-related symptoms should gradually reduce as you progress through the treatment.
The way every individual’s body responds to amoxicillin may vary, so it’s important to follow up with your doctor if your symptoms don’t go away or get worse.
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Although amoxicillin starts working against bacteria as soon as you start taking it, it can take a couple of days for the drug to start reducing symptoms of your bacterial infection.
The length of time you’ll need to take amoxicillin and the timeframe you’ll need to feel completely better will vary based on the type of infection you have. But it’s very important to continue taking amoxicillin for the full amount of time your doctor has prescribed. This will help stop your infection from coming back and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.
If you don’t notice any relief in your symptoms while taking amoxicillin, speak with your doctor.