1 May 2026Oral drugsSource update: April 2024

Amoxicillin oral

Amoxicillin guidance for common bacterial infections, with usual and high-dose regimens, duration guidance, and penicillin precautions.

Prescription under medical supervision

This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.

Therapeutic action

Penicillin antibacterial.

Indications

Acute otitis media, streptococcal tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia with no signs of severity.
Infection due to Helicobacter pylori in combination with omeprazole and clarithromycin.
Leptospirosis and uncomplicated cutaneous anthrax.
Uncomplicated typhoid fever if the strain is susceptible and there is a recent drug susceptibility test.
Completion treatment following therapy with parenteral penicillins or cephalosporins.

Forms and strengths

250 mg and 500 mg tablets or capsules.
250 mg dispersible scored tablet for paediatric use.
125 mg/5 ml powder for oral suspension, to be reconstituted with filtered water and administered using a measuring device.

Dose

Usual dose (e.g. leptospirosis, tonsillitis, infection due to H. pylori)

Child: 25 mg/kg, maximum 1 g, 2 times daily.
Adult: 1 g 2 times daily.
< 3 months and < 6 kg: 125 mg 2 times daily, 5 ml suspension 2 times daily, or 1/2 of a 250 mg tablet 2 times daily.
3 to < 24 months and 6 to < 12 kg: 250 mg 2 times daily, 10 ml suspension 2 times daily, or 1 tablet 2 times daily.
2 to < 8 years and 12 to < 25 kg: 500 mg 2 times daily, 20 ml suspension 2 times daily, 2 tablets of 250 mg 2 times daily, or 1 tablet of 500 mg 2 times daily.
>= 8 years and adult, >= 25 kg: 1 g 2 times daily, 4 tablets of 250 mg 2 times daily, or 2 tablets of 500 mg 2 times daily.

High dose (e.g. pneumonia, typhoid fever, resistant pneumococcal infections, cutaneous anthrax)

Child: 30 mg/kg, maximum 1 g, 3 times daily.
Adult: 1 g 3 times daily.
< 3 months and < 6 kg: 125 mg 3 times daily, 5 ml suspension 3 times daily, or 1/2 of a 250 mg tablet 3 times daily.
3 to < 24 months and 6 to < 12 kg: 250 mg 3 times daily, 10 ml suspension 3 times daily, or 1 tablet 3 times daily.
2 to < 8 years and 12 to < 25 kg: 500 mg 3 times daily, 20 ml suspension 3 times daily, 2 tablets of 250 mg 3 times daily, or 1 tablet of 500 mg 3 times daily.
>= 8 years and adult, >= 25 kg: 1 g 3 times daily, 4 tablets of 250 mg 3 times daily, or 2 tablets of 500 mg 3 times daily.

Duration

Otitis media, bronchitis, pneumonia: 5 days.
Tonsillitis: 6 days.
Leptospirosis and H. pylori infection: 7 days.
Sinusitis: 7 to 10 days.
Cutaneous anthrax: 7 to 14 days depending on severity.
Typhoid fever: 14 days.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

Do not administer to penicillin-allergic patients or patients with mononucleosis.
Administer with caution to patients allergic to cephalosporins because cross-sensitivity may occur.
May cause gastrointestinal disturbances and allergic reactions, sometimes severe. In the event of allergic reaction, stop treatment immediately.
Reduce dosage in patients with severe renal impairment.
Do not combine with methotrexate.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: no contra-indication.

Dose and duration

Amoxicillin usual dose by age, weight, and formulation

Age	Weight	Daily dose	125 mg/5 ml susp.	250 mg tablet	500 mg tablet
< 3 months	< 6 kg	125 mg x 2	5 ml x 2	½ tab x 2	-
3 to < 24 months	6 to < 12 kg	250 mg x 2	10 ml x 2	1 tab x 2	-
2 to < 8 years	12 to < 25 kg	500 mg x 2	20 ml x 2	2 tab x 2	1 tab x 2
≥ 8 years and adult	≥ 25 kg	1 g x 2	-	4 tab x 2	2 tab x 2

Amoxicillin high dose by age, weight, and formulation

Age	Weight	Daily dose	125 mg/5 ml susp.	250 mg tablet	500 mg tablet
< 3 months	< 6 kg	125 mg x 3	5 ml x 3	½ tab x 3	-
3 to < 24 months	6 to < 12 kg	250 mg x 3	10 ml x 3	1 tab x 3	-
2 to < 8 years	12 to < 25 kg	500 mg x 3	20 ml x 3	2 tab x 3	1 tab x 3
≥ 8 years and adult	≥ 25 kg	1 g x 3	-	4 tab x 3	2 tab x 3

Source

MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)

This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.

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