Price of amoxicillin 500 mg

Key takeaways:

• Amoxicillin 500 mg costs about 1,000-3,000 naira in Nigeria, while in the United States, amoxicillin costs about 40 dollars for four capsules. The price of this medication varies by location and pharmacy.
• Amoxicillin is one of the most commonly used antibiotics for treating different bacterial infections. But, it does not treat viral infections.
• Doctors consider Amoxicillin safe for children and pregnant people. However, it can cause some mild side effects like vomiting, rash and fatigue.

Amoxicillin is one of the most widely used antibiotics. It can treat various bacterial infections, such as lower tract infections, H. pylori infections, urinary tract infections, and ear, nose, and throat infections.

In many countries, amoxicillin is only available with a doctor's prescription, i.e., it is not an over-the-counter medication. It is also readily available in different countries, including Nigeria.

This article will discuss the price of amoxicillin 500 mg, which doctors commonly prescribe for health conditions like stomach ulcers and other bacterial infections. It will also discuss the side effects of amoxicillin and if pregnant people can take it.

What is amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It belongs to the class of drugs called penicillin. All the drugs in the penicillin class have a similar mechanism of action: they kill bacteria by inhibiting the transpeptidase enzyme, preventing bacteria from synthesizing new cell walls.

Amoxicillin medication comes in different forms: capsule, suspension, chewable tablet, and immediate release. It is usually taken in dosing of 125mg, 250mg, 500mg, and 875mg for adults. Amoxicillin comes in lesser doses of about 20–40 mg for children and infants.

Doctors commonly recommend amoxicillin for treating nose, throat, ear, and urinary tract infections. It is also used to treat tonsillitis, pneumonia, and bronchitis.

Because amoxicillin is an antibiotic, it does not treat viral infections. It is best to take amoxicillin only when your doctor prescribes it.

Amoxicillin 500 mg price in Nigeria

The price of amoxicillin 500mg in Nigeria is about N1,000 to N3,000.

Amoxicillin is the generic version of this medication, and its price will depend on whether you are buying the generic or brand version as well as the brand you are buying. If you buy brand-name medications like Moxatag and Amoxil, it will cost you more. This is because generic medications are often cheaper than their brand versions.

Amoxicillin prices in Nigeria also vary depending on your location, the dose you want to buy, and the pharmacy you are buying it from. Some pharmacies sell drugs at higher prices than others.

You can make inquiries at pharmacies around you before you make a purchase. However, take extra caution to buy medications from pharmacies that sell original products. Some hospitals also have pharmacy outlets where you can buy medications.

Amoxicillin may be cheaper in teaching or government hospitals, as the government may have subsidized some of their medications.

Amoxicillin 500 mg price in the U.S.

Amoxicillin 500 mg is fairly affordable in the U.S., even without insurance. The medication costs about $10 for 4 capsules.

The cost of Amoxicillin 500mg in the United States also varies depending on the pharmacy. It also depends on the number of capsules you want to purchase, as the price increases with the number of capsules purchased. For instance, you can purchase 21 capsules of amoxicillin for about 21 dollars. This means that if you are buying the medication for longer-term use, purchasing the capsules in bulk will be more cost-effective.

The price of medications like amoxicillin will be lower if your insurance plan covers them. Some pharmacies also give out coupons that can save you money when you buy medicine.

You can get your prescription refilled at any pharmaceutical store. You can also do that online.

What Amoxicillin is used to treat

Amoxicillin can be used to treat different diseases and infections. It can work independently, or your doctor may combine it with other drugs to treat you.

Amoxicillin can treat the following health conditions:

1. Lyme Disease

Amoxicillin can treat Lyme disease. Lyme is a vector-borne disease. It is primarily caused by the disease Borrelia burgdorferi, and ticks spread it. On rare occasions, Borrelia mayonii can cause it.

When left untreated, Lyme disease can affect the heart, joints, and nervous system. Common symptoms include headaches, fatigue, fever, and erythema migrans (a skin rash).

2. Helicobacter pylori infection

Peptic ulcers are caused primarily by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. It gets into the gastrointestinal tract, where it can affect the stomach or intestinal lining, leading to stomach or duodenal ulcers.

Not everyone infected with H. pylori will develop stomach ulcer symptoms. Some people remain asymptomatic. Amoxicillin, especially when combined with proton pump inhibitors, is effective for treating H. pylori infection. Home remedies may also help treat stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori.

3. Bronchitis

This is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The bronchial tube is the passageway that takes air to your lungs. When the bronchial tube is inflamed, it swells, making it harder for air to flow through it.

The primary symptom of bronchitis is cough, and it can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis often develops after a cold or flu and can last 10 to 14 days.

Chronic bronchitis is a lung disease characterized by continuous coughing and inflammation. Left untreated, the cough can last for months or even years. It can also lead to structural changes in the bronchial tube.

4. Cutaneous Bacillus anthracis

This is an itchy bump that takes the form of an insect bite. The bacteria Bacillus anthracis causes this bump. The bacteria causes a painless sore with a black center.

Cutaneous Bacillus anthracis can develop between one and seven days after exposure. It can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fever, and sweating.

5. Chlamydia infection

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Apart from sexual intercourse, mothers can transfer chlamydia to their babies during childbirth.

6. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The infections cause inflammation in the lungs.

Pneumonia is contagious, irrespective of the cause. Pneumonia can spread from one person to another. You may also contract it if you come in contact with contaminated surfaces.

7. Skin infection

The skin protects the body from infection but can also get infected. Skin infections can be caused by viruses, fungi, parasites, and bacteria.

• Examples of skin infections caused by bacteria include impetigo, boils, and cellulitis.
• Examples of skin infections caused by viruses include chickenpox, measles, warts, and shingles.
• Examples of skin infections caused by fungi include yeast infection, nail fungus, diaper rash, and athlete's foot.
• Examples of skin infections caused by parasites include cables, bedbugs, and lice.

However, amoxicillin can only treat skin infections caused by bacteria.

8. Throat infection

Throat infections can be caused by a virus or bacteria like streptococcal bacteria. Throat infections often cause swollen tonsils and difficulty in swallowing. If the throat infection is caused by streptococcal bacteria, it can be treated with antibiotics like amoxicillin.

9. Urinary tract infection

This is an infection that affects any part of the urinary system, like the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTIs are often treated with antibiotics like amoxicillin.

Amoxicillin for treating stomach ulcers

Amoxicillin can be used to treat stomach ulcers. This is specifically for stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori infection. The dosage of amoxicillin you will take for the treatment of stomach ulcers will be decided by your doctor.

Doctors often prescribe a triple regimen of omeprazole (about 20mg), amoxicillin (1000mg or 500mg), and clarithromycin (500mg) for treating stomach ulcers. Your doctor will prescribe treatment for you according to your individual health need.

Amoxicillin can also be used to treat such bacterial infections in children.

Side effects of amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is considered safe for everyone, including children. However, like other medications, amoxicillin can cause mild side effects. Some possible side effects of amoxicillin include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting and nausea
• Rash
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Vaginal yeast infection

The side effects often go away within a few days. But, if it persists or worsens, you should immediately reach out to your doctor.

Can you take amoxicillin during pregnancy?

Amoxicillin is considered safe during pregnancy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorized it under pregnancy category B medications. This means animal studies have not indicated that it poses a risk to the fetus.

While amoxicillin has lower chances of causing congenital disabilities in fetuses or harming a pregnant person, it must not be taken without a doctor's prescription. Also, keep in mind that being classified under pregnancy category B medications also means there are not enough well-controlled studies of the drug's effect on pregnant people.

Pregnant people should be careful with the type of medications they take; not all medications are considered safe during pregnancy for the baby's safety. For example, tetracycline can affect how bones grow in fetuses and can also change the color of a baby's teeth. So, before you take any antibiotic during pregnancy, you should confirm the safety with your doctor.

Wrap up

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections, including stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria.

Amoxicillin is safe for use, but if you have certain health conditions, like kidney disease, drug allergies, or mononucleosis, inform your doctor before using amoxicillin. Also, if you are pregnant, you should inform your doctor before taking antibiotics.