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Moxatag (Amoxicillin) - Warnings and Precautions

 
 



WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Anaphylaxis and Hypersensitivity Reactions

      Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients on penicillin therapy. Although anaphylaxis is more frequent following parenteral therapy, it has occurred in patients on oral penicillins. These reactions are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. There have been reports of individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity who have experienced severe reactions when treated with cephalosporins. Before initiating therapy with MOXATAG, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other allergens. If an allergic reaction occurs, MOXATAG should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

      Serious anaphylactic reactions require immediate emergency treatment with epinephrine. Oxygen, intravenous steroids, and airway management, including intubation, should also be administered as indicated.  

Clostridium difficile Associated Diarrhea (CDAD)

      Clostridium difficile Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including amoxicillin, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.

C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin-producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.

      If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.

Superinfection s

      The possibility of superinfections with mycotic or bacterial pathogens should be kept in mind during therapy. If superinfections occur, amoxicillin should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

Mononucleosis Rash

      A high percentage of patients with mononucleosis who receive ampicillin develop an erythematous skin rash. Thus, ampicillin-class antibiotics should not be administered to patients with mononucleosis.

Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria

      Prescribing amoxicillin in the absence of proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or treating prophylactically is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

False-Positive Urinary Glucose Tests

      High urine concentrations of ampicillin may result in false-positive reactions when testing for the presence of glucose in urine using Clinitest®, Benedict's Solution or Fehling's Solution. Since this effect may also occur with amoxicillin, it is recommended that glucose tests based on enzymatic glucose oxidase reactions (such as Clinistix®) be used.

     

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy

       Tera togenic Effects. Pregnancy Category B. Reproduction studies have been performed in mice and rats at doses up to 2000 mg/kg (12.5 and 25 times the human dose in mg/m2) and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to amoxicillin. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Labor and D elivery

      Oral ampicillin-class antibiotics are poorly absorbed during labor. Studies in guinea pigs showed that intravenous administration of ampicillin slightly decreased the uterine tone and frequency of contractions but moderately increased the height and duration of contractions. However, it is not known whether use of amoxicillin in humans during labor or delivery has immediate or delayed adverse effects on the fetus, prolongs the duration of labor, or increases the likelihood that forceps delivery or other obstetrical intervention or resuscitation of the newborn will be necessary.

Nursing M others

      Penicillins have been shown to be excreted in human milk. Amoxicillin use by nursing mothers may lead to sensitization of infants. Caution should be exercised when amoxicillin is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

      The safety and effectiveness of MOXATAG in pediatric patients 12 years of age and older have been established based on results of a clinical trial that included adults and pediatric patients (12 years and older). [see Clinical Studies (14)] Sixty-three (21%) of the study participants were pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. There were no significant differences in treatment response or adverse reactions from adults. 

      The safety and effectiveness of MOXATAG in pediatric patients younger than 12 years has not been established.

Geriatric U se

      Clinical studies with MOXATAG did not include a sufficient number of patients aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experiences with amoxicillin have not yet identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but a greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

      This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidneys, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.

     

Renal Impairment

      MOXATAG has not been studied in patients with renal impairment; however, a reduction of amoxicillin dose is generally recommended for patients with severe renal impairment. Therefore, MOXATAG is not recommended for use in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min) or patients on hemodialysis.

     

Page last updated: 2011-08-01

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