Amoxicillin in Pregnancy — Is It Safe?
Last reviewed: · Source: US FDA drug label database
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Amoxicillin is considered safe throughout pregnancy and is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in pregnant women.
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Is it safe to take Amoxicillin with Pregnancy?
Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that is widely used in pregnancy and is considered safe throughout all three trimesters. It is one of the antibiotics of choice for treating infections during pregnancy, including UTIs, chest infections, and dental infections. Untreated infections in pregnancy carry their own serious risks to mother and baby — appropriate antibiotic treatment is important.
How do Amoxicillin and Pregnancy interact?
Amoxicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. It crosses the placenta but does not appear to cause fetal harm at therapeutic doses. Large register studies and decades of clinical use have not established a pattern of birth defects from amoxicillin. It is classified as a Pregnancy Category B drug by the FDA.
Data sourced from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug label database: FDA amoxicillin drug label — pregnancy category B; OpenFDA drug label data.
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Women with penicillin allergy must inform their prescriber. The alternative antibiotic chosen will depend on the type of infection and allergy severity.
What if I've already taken Amoxicillin and Pregnancy?
Continue the full antibiotic course as prescribed. Not completing the course is more harmful than completing it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is amoxicillin safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Amoxicillin is one of the most commonly and safely used antibiotics in pregnancy throughout all three trimesters.
Can amoxicillin harm my baby?
Based on decades of use and large studies, amoxicillin at therapeutic doses is not known to harm the baby. Untreated infection is often a bigger risk.
What antibiotics are safe in pregnancy?
Penicillins (amoxicillin, flucloxacillin, co-amoxiclav), some cephalosporins, erythromycin, and nitrofurantoin (not in late pregnancy) are generally considered safe. Tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and metronidazole in first trimester should be avoided.
I have a UTI in pregnancy — can I take amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is sometimes used for UTIs in pregnancy, though trimethoprim and nitrofurantoin are often preferred. Your GP will choose the most appropriate antibiotic based on the bacterial sensitivity test (MSU culture).