Amoxicillin 500mg Capsules – 5-Day Course (15 Capsules), In Store Only

Amoxicillin is a prescription-only antibiotic from the penicillin group. At Ways Pharmacy it is supplied for adults with an acute middle ear infection (acute otitis media), only after a pharmacist has examined your ear in our Holborn pharmacy and judged that an antibiotic is justified. Many middle ear infections get better on their own within a few days, so the examination comes first. This medicine is available in store only.

How to access this medicine

1. Start your free online assessment. Answer the health questions online and confirm your identity (upload photo ID, or show it on a video call).
2. Pharmacist reviews and arranges your visit. A GPhC-registered pharmacist reviews your answers and arranges a time for you to visit our Holborn pharmacy, or call 020 8106 7084 to arrange your visit. Come to 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET, Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm, and bring photo ID.
3. Ear examination and assessment. The pharmacist asks about your symptoms, allergies and medicines, and examines your ear with an otoscope. The ear examination is free.
4. If suitable, pay and receive your medicine there and then. Once the pharmacist confirms amoxicillin is suitable, you pay on this page or in the pharmacy and receive it on the spot. If it is not suitable — including when the pharmacist recommends pain relief and self-care instead — you pay nothing. If you have already paid and the pharmacist finds amoxicillin is not suitable, you receive a full refund. This medicine is not posted.

There is no separate consultation fee. Amoxicillin is the only antibiotic for middle ear infection in this service; if you are allergic to penicillin, the pharmacist will refer you to a GP.

About this medicine

Dosage

• Take one 500mg capsule three times a day for 5 days, spread evenly through the day
• Swallow with water, with or without food
• Finish the whole course, even if you feel better sooner
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with pain and fever, if they are suitable for you

Seek advice if your symptoms do not start to improve within 2 to 3 days, or if they get worse at any point. See our ear infection service for details.

Warnings and who should not take this medicine

• People under 18 — children with ear pain should see a GP
• Anyone allergic to amoxicillin or any penicillin, or who has had a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) or a severe skin reaction to any beta-lactam antibiotic, including cephalosporins
• Suspected glandular fever
• Previous liver problems caused by amoxicillin, or severe kidney problems
• Ear infections that keep coming back, long-term middle ear disease, recent ear surgery or a cochlear implant
• Get urgent help (999 or A&E) instead if you have swelling, redness or tenderness behind the ear, the ear sticking out, a severe headache, a stiff neck, confusion, weakness of one side of the face, severe dizziness, or you feel very unwell
• Tell the pharmacist if you take warfarin or another blood thinner, methotrexate, allopurinol or probenecid, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Possible side effects

Common side effects include diarrhoea, feeling sick and a skin rash. Vomiting, stomach discomfort, itching and thrush can also occur. Get urgent medical help if you have difficulty breathing or wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, blistering or peeling skin, or severe or bloody diarrhoea.

Regulatory information

• Legal status: Prescription-only medicine (POM), supplied under a Patient Group Direction after pharmacist assessment
• Pharmacy: Ways Pharmacy, 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET · GPhC-registered premises 9012227
• Patient information leaflet: electronic Medicines Compendium (emc)
• Report suspected side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme

This page gives factual information about a prescription-only medicine and is not an advertisement to the public. It is supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed that it is suitable for you.