An old man in Fuzhou took the wrong medicine and was admitted to the ICU... Is amoxicillin an anti-inflammatory drug?

Not long ago, Yan Yibo, 65, from Fuzhou, took an amoxicillin pill after catching a cold, and his face became red and swollen with rashes. After arriving at the hospital, medical staff gave him emergency treatment for drug-induced anaphylactic shock, and he was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit for hospitalization. Seven days later, he recovered and was discharged from the hospital.

Maybe you are confused

Isn’t amoxicillin a “household anti-inflammatory drug”?

Why am I allergic to food?

In what cases can you take amoxicillin?

What symptoms does amoxicillin treat?

Let’s take a look

Amoxicillin is not an anti-inflammatory drug

There are only two kinds of real anti-inflammatory drugs

Anti-inflammatory drugs refer to drugs that eliminate the body's inflammatory response, including steroidal drugs (corticosteroids) and non-steroidal drugs (common painkillers such as ibuprofen). Amoxicillin is not an anti-inflammatory drug.

Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs <br /> Mainly glucocorticoids, this type of drug can change with different doses. It not only affects the metabolism of proteins, fats and sugars in the body, but also has a very effective anti-inflammatory effect.

In the early stages of acute inflammation, glucocorticoids can reduce local vascular congestion by constricting blood vessels, while also inhibiting the immune response of white blood cells, reducing the release of various inflammation-related mediators in the body, and improving the symptoms of inflammation.

In addition to achieving anti-inflammatory effects, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also have anti-allergic, anti-shock and other effects, and have a wide range of uses.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

The most common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in life is ibuprofen, which has a certain effect on redness, swelling, heat and pain .

This type of drug can be used to reduce swelling and inflammation, such as arthritis, tendonitis, etc. In essence, when the body has cellular inflammation, it can help people reduce inflammation. Generally, drugs with bacteria, enzymes, and xacin in their names are antibiotics.

(Photo source: Internet)

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic

Only effective for 6 diseases

Amoxicillin is a common semi-synthetic penicillin-type broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotic. After taking it, it can penetrate the cell membrane and achieve a bactericidal effect (antibiotics mainly inhibit and kill microorganisms).

(Photo source: Ningming County People's Hospital)

So amoxicillin is not an anti-inflammatory drug, but an antibiotic that can kill bacteria. It has no effect on common inflammation! Amoxicillin is mainly effective for 6 diseases↓

1. It is effective for ear, nose and throat infections such as otitis media and sinusitis, but not for allergic rhinitis.

2 Urinary and reproductive tract infections such as urethritis, bacterial vaginitis, etc., but ineffective against candidal vaginitis.

3. Skin infection , suppuration of skin tissue, etc. It is ineffective for fungal and viral skin diseases.

4 Lower respiratory tract infections such as acute bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. It is ineffective against viral pneumonia.

5. Helicobacter pylori infection requires more than just amoxicillin, but 3 or 4 antibiotics to be used simultaneously.

6. Gonorrhea. Acute simple gonorrhea.

Precautions for taking Amoxicillin

1. Special groups should avoid taking amoxicillin, such as pregnant women, breastfeeding women , young children and the elderly .

2. People who are allergic to amoxicillin should be careful not to take it. It is not recommended for people who are allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin .

3. Take with warm water. If the water temperature exceeds 60°C , amoxicillin will easily produce allergic polymers, increasing the chance of allergies.

4. Do not eat spicy foods such as peppers, garlic, mustard, etc. while taking amoxicillin, otherwise it will reduce the efficacy of the drug.

5. If amoxicillin is used without an indication, it will lead to the production of drug-resistant strains. Once drug-resistant strains are produced, amoxicillin will not be able to exert its therapeutic effect when it is really needed.

6. Long-term use of amoxicillin can easily lead to secondary infection.

7. Do not stop taking the medicine at will. Amoxicillin is a prescription drug and must be used strictly in accordance with the doctor's instructions for a full course of treatment before stopping the medicine, otherwise the disease will recur.

8. Do not drink alcohol before or after taking amoxicillin.