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Pharmacy/amoxillin double dose?

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Expert: Nigel Simmons - 10/9/2009


Question
Hi there

I have been prescribed amoxillin 500mg fo a throat infection, which I started taking on Thursday morning. Tomorrow night (Sat) is my birthday party and someone has suggested to me that taking a double dose (ie 2 tablets instead of the usual one) tonight might help boost my recovery in time for the party. Is this true? and is it safe? Many thanks.

Answer
Cathy

Given you are already taking a high dose of amoxicillin, there would be little benefit gained from increasing the dose, indeed you potentially would increase the risk of side effects. Penicillins work most effectively when the blood levels drop between doses, so too high a dose and the blood levels do not fall significantly.

If you have been taking the amoxicillin for three days, I would expect the benefits to be showing themselves by now.

I hope thos helps.

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Nigel Simmons

Expertise

I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised. Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner. I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question. Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?

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Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
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Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.

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