Amoxicillin overdose
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overdosage topics
Treatment
Manifestations
Treatment
In case of overdosage, discontinue medication, treat symptomatically, and institute supportive measures as required. If the overdosage is very recent and there is no contraindication, an attempt at emesis or other means of removal of drug from the stomach may be performed. A prospective study of 51 pediatric patients at a poison-control center suggested that overdosages of less than 250 mg/kg of amoxicillin are not associated with significant clinical symptoms and do not require gastric emptying. Return to top
Interstitial nephritis
Interstitial nephritis resulting in oliguric renal failure has been reported in a small number of patients after overdosage with amoxicillin. Return to top
Crystalluria
Crystalluria, in some cases leading to renal failure, has also been reported after amoxicillin overdosage in adult and pediatric patients. In case of overdosage, adequate fluid intake and diuresis should be maintained to reduce the risk of amoxicillin crystalluria. Return to top
Renal impairment
Renal impairment appears to be reversible with cessation of drug administration. High blood
levels may occur more readily in patients with impaired renal function because of decreased
renal clearance of amoxicillin. Amoxicillin may be removed from circulation by hemodialysis.
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Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.