Amoxicillin (formerly amoxycillin in the
British Pharmacopoeia) is a moderate-spectrum β-lactam
antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections caused by
susceptible microorganisms. It is usually the drug of choice
within the class because it is better absorbed, following oral
administration, than other beta-lactam antibiotics. Amoxicillin
is susceptible to degradation by β-lactamase-producing bacteria,
and so is often given clavulanic acid (see below). It is
currently marketed by GlaxoSmithKline under the trade name
AmoxilŽ.
