IBIAMOX™
amoxicillin as 250 mg, 500 mg and 1000 mg injections
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about IBIAMOX. IBIAMOX is
administered by injection into either a vein or muscle.
This leaflet does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor and pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of
taking IBIAMOX against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
If someone else is injecting IBIAMOX for you, it is important they read this
leaflet carefully and learn to recognise adverse effects this medicine may
produce.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine
You may need to read it again.
What IBIAMOX is used for
IBIAMOX is an antibiotic belonging to a group of medicines called
penicillins. This medicine works by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria,
which cause infection.
It is used to:
- treat infections caused by a variety of bacteria.
- prevent blood infection due to procedures such as dental extractions in
patients who are at risk of developing endocarditis.
Endocarditis is inflammation (pain, heat, swelling or redness) of the
endocardium, a membrane that covers the inside surface of the heart).
IBIAMOX will not work against infections caused by viruses such as colds or
the flu.
IBIAMOX is used to treat only infections that will respond to it. Some
infections are resistant to the effects of IBIAMOX.
Your doctor may have prescribed IBIAMOX for another reason.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why IBIAMOX has been
prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you inject IBIAMOX
When you must not use it
Do not use IBIAMOX if you have a history of allergic reaction to
penicillins, cephalosporins, cephamycins or penicillamine.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- skin rash
- difficulty breathing
- hayfever
- swelling
Do not use IBIAMOX if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not use IBIAMOX after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as
well.
Before you start using it
Tell your doctor, surgeon, dentist or pharmacist if you are allergic to
any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
Severe allergic reactions require emergency medical treatment.
Caution should be exercised in patients with a history of allergy such as
eczema, asthma, hay fever and hives.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
There is insufficient safety information regarding the use of amoxicillin during
pregnancy.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking this medicine during
pregnancy.
Do not breast feed while using IBIAMOX.
There is a possibility of sensitisation, diarrhoea, thrush, and/or skin rash
developing in the infant.
Tell your doctor, surgeon and dentist if you have:
- received penicillin in the last month.
- a prosthetic heart valve
- suffered from endocarditis (inflammation of the endocardium) previously.
Tell your doctor if you suffer from kidney problems.
During prolonged therapy, your doctor should carry out periodic tests to
assess kidney and liver function and blood cell formation.
Be aware that superinfections may occur.
This is a new infection resulting from the invasion of bacteria resistant to
amoxicillin.
IBIAMOX should be discontinued and another therapy commenced.
Caution should be exercised in patients with glandular fever or lymphatic
leukaemia (a type of cancer), as they are more likely to experience skin rashes.
Be aware that IBIAMOX remains in the body longer in newly born babies and
the elderly due to incomplete or decreased kidney function.
They are more likely to experience side effects.
IBIAMOX is unlikely to produce an effect on the ability to drive or use
machinery, however, care should be taken until you know how this medicine
affects you.
There is no evidence this medicine is addictive.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines
that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health
food shop. Some medicines may interfere with IBIAMOX.
IBIAMOX injection should not be mixed with blood products or other fluids
containing protein nor with intravenous lipid emulsions. Follow the instructions
exactly as to how to make up the injection solution.
Amoxicillin may interfere with:
- probenecid - a medicine used to treat gout (excess uric acid in the
blood). Probenecid may increase the concentration of amoxicillin in the body.
This interaction is sometimes used to increase the antibacterial effect of
amoxicillin. - allopurinol - a medicine used to treat gout. Using allopurinol at the same
time as amoxicillin may increase the incidence of skin rash. - antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, erythromycin, sulfonamides or
tetracyclines. These antibiotics may interfere with the effect of penicillins
in the treatment of meningitis or other diseases where rapid action is
necessary. Simultaneous therapy is best avoided. - estrogen containing oral contraceptives - Using IBIAMOX while on
contraceptives may decrease the effectiveness of the contraceptive. Use an
alternative or additional method of contraception while on a course of
IBIAMOX. - blood tests - amoxicillin may interfere with some laboratory tests and
give incorrect results.
Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be
careful with or to avoid while taking this medicine
How to use IBIAMOX injection
You and your caregiver must carefully follow all directions given to you by
your doctor or pharmacist. Their directions may differ from the information
contained in this leaflet. If you do not understand the instructions on the
label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much and when to use IBIAMOX injection
Your doctor will decide the dose by factoring in your medical condition, age
and weight.
The usual dose is as follows:
Adult infections: 250 mg every 8 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours for severe
infections.
Prevention of endocarditis in adults: 1 g prior to anaesthesia or 15 minutes
prior to dental a procedure.
Infections in children under 20 kg: 25 mg per kg every day in equally divided
doses every 8 hours or for severe infections 50 mg per kg every day, divided as
above, every 8 hours.
Prevention of endocarditis in children under 10 kg: 500 mg prior to
anaesthesia or 15 minutes prior to dental a procedure.
You can take this medicine before or after meals.
How to use IBIAMOX injection
Your doctor, nurse, caregiver or yourself will make the IBIAMOX injection
with sterile water or another diluent depending on the method of administration.
The solutions should be thoroughly mixed by vigorous shaking and checked for the
presence of particulate matter before use. A pink colouration may appear during
the mixing but will change to a pale straw colour.
Needles for injection are purchased separately.
Follow your doctor's instructions carefully on how to make the injection
solution and use the needle safely.
Method of administration
Your doctor, nurse, caregiver or yourself will either inject directly into
muscle tissue or they (not yourself) may inject slowly into a vein if an
intravenous line (I.V.) exists.
The solution for injection must be used within an hour of being made up.
If pain is experienced during injection into muscle tissue, a sterile
solution of 1% lignocaine HCl or 0.5% solution of procaine HCl may be used in
place of water to alleviate the pain. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about these
options.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and inject
your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember
and then go back to taking it as you would normally.
Do not inject a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
While you are using IBIAMOX
Things you must do
If you develop a rash, hay fever, breathing difficulties or swelling, stop
taking IBIAMOX immediately and seek medical treatment.
If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within days, or they become
worse, tell your doctor.
If you become pregnant while you are taking IBIAMOX tell your doctor.
If you are having any blood tests tell your doctor you are using IBIAMOX.
If you are about to start taking a new medicine tell your doctor and
pharmacist that you are taking IBIAMOX.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking IBIAMOX or lower the dosage without checking with your
doctor. You should take the full course of IBIAMOX even if you feel well or the
infection may reappear.
Do not give IBIAMOX to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not take IBIAMOX to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells
you to.
Side effects
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the
time they are not.
If you develop a rash, hay fever, breathing difficulties or swelling, stop
taking IBIAMOX immediately and seek medical treatment.
See your doctor immediately if you or your care-giver notice the following:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- tiredness
- weakness
- increased thirst
- fever
- weight loss
- itchy rash
- discolouration of the skin
- wheezing
- sore throat, mouth ulcers or fever - these may be a sign your blood is not
healthy.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you
unwell
Overdose
Immediately telephone a doctor, or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone
0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) or go to the accident and Emergency Department at
your nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have injected or
swallowed too much IBIAMOX. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or
poisoning.
Storage
Store IBIAMOX in a cool place protected from light and moisture.
Do not store IBIAMOX in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the
car on hot days. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep IBIAMOX in the original pack it is provided in until it is time to use
it. The solution for injection must be used within an hour of being made up.
Keep IBIAMOX and injection needles out of reach of children. A locked
cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to
store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop using this medicine or it has passed it's
expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any vials that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Amoxicillin 250 mg, 500 mg and 1000 mg: a white to cream powder packed in
clear glass vials. Upon mixing with water or other approved diluents, the
solution may initially be red but rapidly become clear to pale yellow in colour.
All strengths of IBIAMOX come in packs of 5 vials.
Needles for injection are purchased separately.
Diluents
Intramuscular injection - Sterile water. If pain is an issue use 1%
lignocaine HCl or 0.5% solution of procaine HCl.
IV - sodium chloride (normal saline), compound sodium chloride (Ringer's
solution), sodium lactate, compound sodium lactate (Hartmann's solution),
dextrose (5%), sodium chloride and (4%) dextrose.