[Geek mode]
Just wanted to add...
Amoxicillin (Aquarium version: FISH-MOX, FISH-MOX FORTE, AQUA-MOX): comes in 250mg and 500mg doses, usually taken 3 times a day. Amoxicillin is the most popular antibiotic prescribed to children, usually in liquid form. More versatile and better absorbed than the older Pencillins, Amoxicillin may be used for the following diseases:
I'm glad you wrote
may. Amoxicillin is a broadspectrum penicillin, with a spectrum roughly matching ampicillin. Ie. it will cover most G positive bacteria (streptococcus and enterococcus and families)
with no aquired resistance, ie. the same bacteria as penicillin. It will however also cover a small part of gram negative bacteria (mainly E.coli) that penicillin doesn't. Being a broadspectrum antibiotic, it is more likely to induce resistance and more likely to upset your bowel bacteria than a narrow spectrum.
It is promiscuous use of broadspectrum antibiotics in human and animals that is the main concern in evolving multi- (or pan-)resistant bacteria.
Disclaimer: the below recommendations are based on Danish resistance patterns. But the resistance mechanics are the same, so the overall point is valid.
· Anthrax (Prevention or treatment of Cutaneous transmission).
Use penicillin instead. If its sensitive to amoxicillin its sensitive to penicillin.
· Chlamydia Infection (sexually transmitted)
Use Azithromycin it is a one dose treatment instead of taking amoxicillin for a week.
· Urinary Tract Infection (bladder/kidney infections).
Use Sulfamethizol instead. It is filtered to the urine faster and therefor more effective with UTI's .
· Helicobacter pylori Infection (causes peptic ulcer)
NO, its a part of a triplet of medicin (2XAB & 1XPPI) required to treat H. pylori. You cant use just one antibiotic to treat it.
· Lyme Disease (transmitted by ticks).
I'd recommend penicillin instead. I know amoxicillin i 1st choice for treatment in many places, but thats based on flawed bioavailability trials in rodents.
· Otitis Media (middle ear infection)
yup. I agree, but (you knew it would come) mostly otitis media should not be treated with antibiotics. Only in high fever or general malaise is it indicated.
· Pneumonia (lung infection).
No added bonus over penicillin (unless you have COPD or asthma, see below), use that instead.
· Sinusitis.
As in otitis media most don't need treatment with antibiotics, and if you do need antibiotics, use penicillin
· Skin or Soft Tissue Infection (cellulitis, boils).
No point, if streptococcal penicillin is just as good, if stafylococcal you need Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid instead (because of UKs high rate of MRSA).
· Actinomycosis (causes abscesses in humans and livestock)
Penicillin preferred or if no response to that;
Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid.
· Bronchitis. Should not be treated with antibiotics (though GPs wrongly does it a lot),(unless you have COPD or asthma, see below).
· Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis (Strep throat).
Should only be treated if you got streptococcus... and how do you know, if you are not being tested at your GP? Generally; If only none to moderate fever and throat irritability try without, and if no improvement in 3 days go for penicillin instead.
The above list is, though not simple, a
grossly simplified list. F.x. UTI's vary if you're a woman in a childbearing age, a toddler in diapers or a male, they vary in degrees from simple cystitis over pyelonephritis to septicaemia and cannot be treated as one
Concerning COPD/asthma and airway infections. The most common airway infections in people with chronic lung disease (as Asthma and COPD), will be different to "normal" people. Mostly due to multiple earlier antibiotic courses, but also because of the changed environment in the lungs. Because of that Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid is generally 1st choice with chronic lung disease and lower airway infections.
[/geek mode]
So to sum up; if TEOTWAWKI scenario go ahead, though you might end up with diarrhea more often than with penicillin. But in day to day life because of the inconvenience (and wait, and possible "no", and monetary issues (dont know if you have to pay if you got to your GP in britain
, in DK you dont (yet) ); please don't. Consult your GP instead. Oh and in bio-terror scenario; bend over and kiss you sweet behind goodbye. What ever it is, is going to be pan-resistant i.e. your body will have to fight it off for itself.
There is no perfect antibiotic, no "treat all pill", and for my TEOTWAWKI stockpile i would go for Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid instead, or even better Moxifloxacin, but most of all, at buttload of penicillin
)
