A pharmacist shares her expertise.
Amoxicillin is derived frompenicillin.
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Can Amoxicillin Cause a Rash?
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Allergies to amoxicillin and other antibiotics are undoubtedly possible.
This is well-documented in children who take amoxicillin while infected with the Epstein-Barr virus that causesmononucleosis (mono).
Up to 30% develop a rash that mimics a drug allergy but is not.
A Word on Probiotics
Probioticscan help protect against allergic reactions and minimize the side effects of amoxicillin.
Probiotics restore the body’s good bacteria that are depleted by antibiotics.
Try probiotic supplements or addyogurtor kefir to your diet while taking amoxicillin.
This might help prevent some side effects likenauseaordiarrhea.Taking probiotics after finishing antibiotic treatment also helps rebuild your gut microbiome.
What Does Amoxicillin Rash Look Like?
A non-allergic amoxicillin rash is described asmaculopapular.This means that the rash can have either flat or slightly raised bumps.
These bumps are usually small and may be red or pink.
An amoxicillin rash can affect most parts of the body.
These include:
Avoiding these supplements while you’re on amoxicillin is safest.
In general, these rashes are not very itchy or painful.
Be aware of signs of an actual allergic reaction to amoxicillin.
These can include:
Stop taking amoxicillin and inform your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms.
Call 911 immediately if you experience any signs ofanaphylaxis, which is life-threatening.
Definitive diagnosis of a drug allergy is done byskin testingwith penicillin or a drug challenge with amoxicillin.
Stopping your amoxicillin course early can cause your infection to last longer or become more severe.
In addition, switching antibiotics can result in a misdiagnosis of penicillin allergy.
A penicillin allergy on your medical record limits the antibiotics for which you might get a prescription.
Ruling out penicillin often means you’ll get broad-spectrum antibiotics instead.
Not all of these rashes are true allergies or reasons to stop taking the medicine.
These rashes do not require treatment and will go away independently, typically in less than a week.
Continuing the entire course of amoxicillin in these cases rather than switching to a different medicine is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
Skin rashes are a common side effect of amoxicillin and other antibiotics in the penicillin family.
About 10% of people who take amoxicillin will develop a rash.
Amoxicillin rash can consist of flat or raised red or pink bumps.
Amoxicillin rashes typically last from three to 14 days.
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