Is Amoxicillin safe in pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a female shares a lot with her growing baby. Oxygen and nourishment pass from the female to the growing fetus through the placenta, an organ in the uterus that acts as the baby’s lifeline. Medications that the female takes can also pass to the baby. Most drugs might be safe for the pregnant female. But, there is a chance that some medicines may harm the developing baby. 

Still, it is not uncommon to need medications in pregnancy. If the female gets a bacterial infection in pregnancy, she may need to take an antibiotic, like amoxicillin, to treat the infection.

Amoxicillin is a prescription medicine used to treat some kinds of bacterial infections. It is usually prescribed for treating pneumonia, bronchitis, UTIs (urinary tract infections), skin, throat, or ear infections.  

Is Amoxicillin safe during pregnancy? 

Amoxicillin belongs to the penicillin family of antibiotics, which are safe to take in pregnancy.

Amoxicillin is termed as a pregnancy category B drug by the USFDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). This means that it is considered totally safe to take while pregnant. This drug has very low risks for a female if she takes it in any trimester of her pregnancy.

Effects of amoxicillin on pregnancy

A female should start to feel better a few days after she starts her treatment with amoxicillin. It is highly recommended to take amoxicillin exactly as directed by the doctor. The pregnant female should not skip any doses or stop taking amoxicillin if she feels better, until the course of medication finishes.

Make sure to finish the full course of treatment. If the female does not take amoxicillin as directed, the infection may come back. Not completing the dosage of amoxicillin can also cause resistance to medicine. This means that amoxicillin may not work to treat a similar infection the female may have in the future. 

Side effects of amoxicillin

Most common side effects of amoxicillin include-

• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea

If amoxicillin upsets your stomach, try taking it with a healthy meal. Also, make sure to take the medicine with a glass full of water.

In some cases, this drug can cause more serious side effects. Talk to your doctor right away if you notice any severe side effects, including-

• Feeling lethargic 
• Unusual bleeding 
• Bruising
• Seizures
• Unusual tiredness Allergic reactions
• Bloody or watery diarrhea
• The yellowness of the skin or the white part of the eyes 

Antibiotics can be responsible for severe diarrhea. If a female has watery diarrhea 2 or 3 times or more per day for at least 2 days, or if she has stomach cramping, it is advised to call a doctor right away. Such symptoms might indicate a second infection, which can be dangerous during pregnancy. 

Also Read: Things you should know about Vomiting in Pregnancy

Possible risks of amoxicillin in pregnancy

If the female does not treat a bacterial infection, it can become very serious. Only antibiotics can treat an infection. 

Amoxicillin is considered a low-risk medicine to take at any stage in pregnancy. The doctor will let you know if amoxicillin is the most appropriate treatment for you. 

Taking too much of amoxicillin, even the ones considered safe during pregnancy can be harmful to the female and the baby.  So, always take amoxicillin as prescribed by the doctor, not less, not more. 

Also Read:

• Diarrhea in Pregnancy- Is it Normal?
• Excessive Bleeding During Pregnancy
• Is Dolo 650 in Pregnancy Safe?