Amoxil is a popular antibiotic drug based on amoxicillin and used for fighting many infections. It is produced in the form of capsules. Another amoxicillin-based medication is Almox DT. It comes in the form of tablets.
You may be wondering: which dosage form is better? What to choose: caps or tabs?
At first glance, it may seem that there are no significant differences between capsules and pills. However, some people feel the difference and it may be critical for them. In addition, the medications slightly differ in price. Below, we’ll tell you about these distinctions, but first we’ll give the most important information about amoxicillin as a main active agent of Amoxil and Almox DT.
Amoxicillin: Uses, Adverse Effects & Dosage
Amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic penicillin agent providing a broad spectrum of action. The drug inhibits one or more enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan in bacteria. Peptidoglycan is one of the most important elements of the cell wall of bacteria. Suppression of peptidoglycan synthesis leads to a cell wall weakening, resulting in the usual breaking down of the membrane and death of the cell. Thus, amoxicillin has a bactericidal effect. It fights some susceptible Gram-negative & Gram-positive bacterial microorganisms, such as Streptococcus, H. Pylori, Enterococci, and others.
Indications and Counterindications
Amoxicillin pills can be prescribed for treating the following conditions:
- infections of the respiratory tract, ears, throat and nose (for instance, pneumonia, tonsillitis, acute form of otitis media, sore throat, and sinus infection);
- infectious ailments of the genitourinary system (for example, urethritis, cystitis, and pyelonephritis);
- skin infections, for example, dermatoses;
- infections of the gastrointestinal tract and abdominal infections (gallbladder inflammation, peritonitis, salmonellosis);
- Lyme disease;
- gastritis & ulcers associated with H pylori bacterium (as part of a complex therapy along with reducers of stomach acid production);
- meningitis, sepsis, and other infections.
Amoxicillin also may be taken for prevention of endocarditis and other infections during surgical interventions. The medication is not prescribed to treat infectious mononucleosis. It is contraindicated in cases of increased individual sensitivity to amoxicillin, any auxiliary components of the drug, as well as to any antibiotic of the penicillin series. In addition, it should be used with caution for treating infections in children.
Dosage and Features of Using
The dosage of amoxicillin-based medications is 250 milligrams to 1 gram (depending on the drug form). A prescribed dose depends on the particular infection. For example, mild to moderate pneumonia requires 500mg taken orally every eight hours. Typical dosage for sinusitis is 250mg every eight hours or 500mg every twelve hours. The same dose is prescribed for urinary tract ailments. When fighting Helicobacter pylori infection, the applied dosage is 1000mg every eight hours.
In children weighing up to 40 kg (88 pounds), the dose is reduced and depends on the disease and the bodyweight. If a child’s weight is at least 40 kg, the dosage is usually the same as that for adults.
Consumption of food doesn’t interfere with the action of the medication. Take amoxicillin at the same time every day & follow all the recommendations of your healthcare professional.
Possible Side Effects
Amoxicillin is a potent antibiotic that can cause some adverse effects. Among them are:
- allergic reactions (сonjunctivitis, rash, angioedema, anaphylactic shock, and the like);
- gastrointestinal conditions (sensations of discomfort, upset stomach, and diarrhea);
- nervous system disorders (insomnia, changes in behavior, anxiety, etc.):
- cardiovascular system conditions, such as tachycardia;
- blood disorders (leukopenia, granulopenia, and anemia);
- intestinal dysbiosis and candidiasis.
Amoxil – Branded Capsules of Amoxicillin
Amoxil is a genuine (branded) version of amoxicillin.
It comes in capsules featuring different dosages: 250 mg, 500 mg, 650 mg, and 1000 mg. Capsule is a thin shell made of gelatin. This shell contains an active agent along with auxiliary ingredients.
The capsule of Amoxil dissolves in the stomach faster than the tablet, so the active substance quickly enters the bloodstream. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that pills provide less effect than tablets. The study by Zaid AN et al. (2010) has shown that both tablets and amoxicillin capsules have similar bioequivalence properties. Therefore, these dosage forms are the same in terms of efficiency.
Advantages of Amoxil capsules. They are easier to swallow for some people. Unlike tablets, caps can’t irritate & scratch mucosa of the throat. Therefore, they may be more preferable for children.
Disadvantages of Amoxil capsules. Caps are more expensive than tabs. In addition, some people prefer tablets because they believe that a tablet form is more conventional for medications.
Swallowing Technique for Capsules
German scientists (Schiele JT, Schneider H, and others) have analyzed two techniques that facilitate swallowing drugs. The first one called lean-forward technique is intended for improving swallowing of tablets.
- Place the capsule you need to swallow on your tongue.
- Sip in some water but do not hurry to swallow.
- Tilt the chin toward the chest and lean your head forward.
- Keeping your head in the above mentioned position, swallow the capsule together with water.
The abovementioned study shows that lean-forward technique improved swallowing of capsules by 88%.
Almox DT – Generic Pills Containing Amoxicillin
Almox DT is an amoxicillin-containing generic version of Amoxil. It comes in the form of rounded tablets icluding 250 milligrams of the key active agent. Tablet is a solid form of the drug, which is prepared by compressing the active agent & auxiliary components. After entering the stomach, it first swells, then dissolves, releasing the active agent. The tablet is digested a little slower than the capsule, but the digestion time does not affect the overall effect of amoxicillin, as indicated earlier.
Almox DT is a generic drug and due to this, it has lower price than branded Amoxil. It costs less than Amoxil by about 20 percent (if we take the same dosage and the same amount of tablets in the package). A lower price does not mean a poor quality of the drug. Almox DT producers used the ready-made amoxicillin formula during the manufacturing process, so they bore fewer expenses than manufacturers of the original drug (Amoxil).
Advantages of Almox DT tabs. Good price. Almox DT is suitable for people who prefer swallowing tablets and/or find the pop-bottle technique more preferable for them.
Disadvantages of Almox DT tabs. This generic amoxicillin may be not preferable for children due to possibility of scratching mucosa of the throat. If patients need large dosages of the drug, 250 mg can be unsuitable for them.
Swallowing Technique for Tablets
The pop-bottle method is good for improving swallowing tablets.
The essence of it lies in the following:
- Take a plastic pop bottle or water bottle and fill it with water.
- Take the pill you need to swallow and put it on your tongue. Keep your lips tightly closed around the bottle opening.
- Purse your lips around the opening of the bottle. To take a drink, use a suckling motion and swallow the pill with the water.
- When swallowing the pill make sure air does not enter the bottle.
The study by Schiele JT and Schneider H. has shown that pop-bottle method can enhance swallowing of tabs by 59%.
Almox DT vs. Amoxil – Conclusion and Comparison Table
Both tablets and capsules are equal in terms of bioavailability and effectiveness. You can choose one of the forms depending on price, swallowing technique you prefer, and needed dosage. Capsules may be preferable for children.
Here you can see the main differences between Almox DT vs. Amoxil in the abridged form.
Main features |
Name of the drug |
|
Amoxil |
Almox DT |
|
Type: |
Branded (genuine) drug |
Generic version of amoxicillin |
Dosage form: |
Capsules |
Rounded tablets |
Dosage: |
250mg, 500mg, 650mg, and 1g |
250 milligrams |
Price: |
Quite high but affordable |
The cost for the medication is 20% less than that for Amoxil |
Category of patients: |
Those who prefer capsules, children |
Those who prefer tablets and want to save some money |
Recommended swallowing technique: |
Lean-forward technique |
Pop-bottle method |
Amoxicillin and Other Antibiotics in the Canadian Pharmacy
AWC Canadian Pharmacy offers a huge range of different medical remedies, including genuine & generic antibiotics. Here you can buy both Almox DT and Amoxil online, as well as many other FDA-approved antibiotic medicaments. Our main task is the health of consumers. Therefore, we offer only high-quality medicines. In addition, we provide fast delivery, secure billing, and professional recommendations on how to use drugs.