Moxymax contains amoxicillin, a penicillin antibiotic, in 250 mg and 500 mg capsules plus a paediatric suspension. It treats chest, ear, throat, sinus, dental and urinary infections caused by bacteria. It does nothing for colds or flu, and the full course must be finished.
What is Moxymax?
Moxymax contains amoxicillin, one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in South Africa. It comes as 250 mg and 500 mg capsules and as a suspension for children.
Amoxicillin is a penicillin. It kills bacteria by preventing them from building their cell walls — the rigid outer layer bacteria need to hold their shape. Without it, the bacterium bursts. Human cells have no cell wall, which is why the medicine attacks bacteria and leaves us alone.
Amoxicillin is broad-spectrum, meaning it works against a wide range of bacteria — a contrast with a narrow-spectrum penicillin such as the flucloxacillin in Indo Flucloxacillin, which is aimed squarely at staphylococci.
The same ingredient is dispensed as Amoxicillin, Betamox, Ultramox, Moxymax and others. Some products pair it with clavulanic acid (Augmentin, Curam) — that addition blocks the enzyme resistant bacteria use to destroy amoxicillin, and it is a genuinely different medicine. Check which one you have.
It is a Schedule 4 prescription medicine.
What is Moxymax commonly used for?
Amoxicillin is prescribed for bacterial infections of:
- The chest — bacterial bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia.
- The ears — middle ear infection, especially in children.
- The throat — bacterial tonsillitis and streptococcal sore throat.
- The sinuses — bacterial sinusitis, where symptoms are prolonged or worsening.
- The teeth and gums — dental abscess and infection, often alongside metronidazole.
- The urinary tract, in some cases.
- The skin, for certain infections.
- ***Helicobacter pylori* eradication**, with a proton pump inhibitor and a second antibiotic.
It does nothing for a cold, flu, or most sore throats and coughs, because those are viral. This is the single most common misunderstanding about antibiotics, and it has real consequences: taking one unnecessarily gives you the side effects without any benefit, disturbs your normal bacteria, and contributes to resistance — which is why some infections are becoming harder to treat.
Most coughs and colds resolve on their own in a week or two. If you have been told an infection is viral and no antibiotic is needed, that is a considered decision rather than a brush-off.
For a dental abscess, the same caution as any abscess applies: an antibiotic controls the surrounding infection, but the definitive treatment is dental — drainage, or treating the tooth. Antibiotics alone rarely settle it for good.
How Moxymax fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Common targets |
|---|---|---|
| Broad-spectrum penicillins | Amoxicillin (Moxymax, Betamox) | Chest, ear, throat, sinus, dental |
| Penicillin + beta-lactamase inhibitor | Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) | The same, plus resistant strains |
| Narrow-spectrum penicillins | Flucloxacillin | Skin and soft tissue — staphylococci |
| Macrolides | Azithromycin | Chest, some STIs; used in penicillin allergy |
| Nitroimidazoles | Metronidazole | Anaerobic and dental infections |
See the antibiotics and antimicrobials hub.
What to check before using Moxymax
Finish the entire course, even once you feel better — usually within two or three days. Stopping early leaves the hardier bacteria behind, which is how infections relapse and resistance builds.
Space the doses evenly across the day, and take it with or without food.
Tell your prescriber or pharmacist if:
- You are allergic to penicillin or any beta-lactam antibiotic. This is the essential question — reactions range from a rash to anaphylaxis. If you have been told you are penicillin-allergic, say so before the first capsule.
- You have kidney disease.
- You have glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis). Amoxicillin very commonly causes a widespread rash in glandular fever — this is a well-known reaction and is not the same thing as penicillin allergy, though it is often recorded as one.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You take the contraceptive pill — vomiting or diarrhoea during a course can reduce its reliability.
- You take methotrexate, warfarin or allopurinol.
- The medicine is for a child. The suspension is dosed by weight — use the measuring device supplied, and shake the bottle.
Follow the dispensing label. This page does not set doses.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Allergic reactions. A mild rash is common; a serious reaction is not. Seek emergency care for swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, or a widespread rash with faintness.
Diarrhoea is common and usually mild. Severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea, particularly with fever and particularly if it starts after the course has ended, can indicate Clostridioides difficile infection and needs medical attention.
Thrush frequently follows, as the antibiotic disturbs normal bacteria.
If you are no better after two or three days, or you get worse at any point, go back. It may need a different antibiotic, or it may not be bacterial at all.
Do not save leftovers or share them. There should not be leftovers if the course is finished, and the right antibiotic depends on the specific infection.
Seek urgent medical attention for facial or throat swelling, difficulty breathing, a widespread rash — especially one that blisters or peels — severe or bloody diarrhoea, a high fever that is not settling, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or an infection that is spreading despite treatment.
Related medicine guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Moxymax 250 mg used for? Bacterial infections of the chest, ears, throat, sinuses, teeth and urinary tract. It contains amoxicillin.
Is it the same as amoxicillin? Yes. Moxymax is a brand of amoxicillin; Betamox and Ultramox are others.
Will it help my cold or flu? No. Colds and flu are viral, and antibiotics have no effect on viruses.
Can I stop when I feel better? Finish the course. Stopping early leaves the hardier bacteria behind and encourages resistance.
Can I take it if I am allergic to penicillin? No. Amoxicillin is a penicillin. Tell your prescriber so an alternative class can be used.
I developed a rash — am I allergic? Tell your prescriber. Amoxicillin very commonly causes a rash in people with glandular fever, which is not the same as penicillin allergy, but this needs proper assessment rather than assumption.