When suffering from a bad cold or infection or a bruise, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics so that the wound or cold heals faster. There are different types and classes of antibiotics used specifically to cure different ailments and wounds. One of these antibiotics is amoxicillin which belongs to the class of antibiotics called penicillin. Other members of this class of antibiotics are ampicilin, ticarcilin, piperacilin and others.
All these antibiotics are not like other classes of antibiotics as they don’t kill bacteria but instead stop the multiplication of bacteria. This is done by preventing bacteria from forming its surrounding walls. Bacteria receive protection from these walls to keep the contents of the cell together so without its cells, this bacteria does not survive. However if you have a history of allergic reactions to amoxicillin, it is highly possible that you will also be allergic to other types of amoxicillin too.
With these allergic reactions to amoxicillin, you experience symptoms that are not caused by the drug, but by the reaction of your body to the drug. These symptoms include rashes, swelling, fever, itching, stomach upset, vomiting, joint pain or difficulty in breathing. Most of the allergic reactions to amoxicillin that have been reported are connected to drug intolerance or the side effects of the drug.
It is advisable to get emergency medical help if you suffer from any of these allergic reactions to amoxicillin; difficulty in breathing, hives and swelling of the tongue, face or throat. Even these side effects need immediate medical help; fever, sore throat, nausea, headache and peeling, blistering and red skin rash. Other allergic reactions to amoxicillin include bloody or watery diarrhea, decrease in urination, agitation and confusion in the mind, easy bruising and bleeding, loss of appetite, clay colored stools, jaundice, dark urine, low fever and fever and all other flu symptoms.
The less serious allergic reactions to amoxicillin are vaginal itching, discharge, swollen, black or hairy tongue, nausea, stomach pain and thrush in the mouth or throat. These are not all the side effects that occur with amoxicillin allergies; if you experience anything unusual and uncomfortable in the form of side effects it is better to consult your doctor, just to be on the safer side.
If you are allergic to cephalosporin like Keflex, Ceftin and Ceclor, then it is better to inform your doctor about this before taking any amoxicillin. Even those suffering from asthma, bleeding or blood clotting disorders, mononucleosis and liver or kidney diseases should not take amoxicillin as it can trigger adverse reactions in the body.