Austell Amoxicillin is a South African generic of amoxicillin, a penicillin antibiotic, in 250 mg and 500 mg capsules and a paediatric suspension. It treats bacterial infections of the chest, ears, throat, sinuses, teeth and urinary tract. It does nothing for colds or flu.
What is Austell Amoxicillin?
Austell Amoxicillin contains amoxicillin. “Austell” is the South African manufacturer — the active ingredient and strength are what matter, and 250 mg and 500 mg capsules are the usual forms alongside a suspension for children.
Amoxicillin kills bacteria by preventing them from building their cell walls — the rigid outer layer that holds a bacterium’s shape. Without it the cell bursts. Human cells have no cell wall, which is why the medicine attacks bacteria and leaves us alone.
It is broad-spectrum, effective against a wide range of bacteria — unlike a narrow-spectrum penicillin such as the penicillin V in Betapen, which targets streptococci specifically.
The same ingredient is dispensed as Amoxicillin, Allmox, Moxymax, Betamox and Ultramox.
Check whether yours contains clavulanic acid. Some products pair amoxicillin with clavulanate — Auro-Amoxiclav, Augmentin, Curam — which blocks the enzyme resistant bacteria use to destroy amoxicillin. That is a broader and genuinely different medicine. Plain Austell Amoxicillin does not contain it.
It is a Schedule 4 prescription medicine.
What is Austell Amoxicillin 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 with 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 colds, flu, or most sore throats and coughs. Those are viral, and antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Taking one unnecessarily gives you the side effects without benefit, disturbs your normal bacteria, and contributes to resistance — the reason some infections are becoming harder to treat.
Most coughs and colds settle on their own within one to two weeks. Being told an infection is viral and needs no antibiotic is a clinical judgement, not a brush-off.
For a dental abscess, an antibiotic controls the surrounding infection, but the definitive treatment is dental — drainage or treating the tooth. Antibiotics alone rarely settle an abscess for good, and postponing the dental work usually means it returns.
How Austell Amoxicillin fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Common targets |
|---|---|---|
| Broad-spectrum penicillins | Amoxicillin (Austell, Allmox, Betamox) | Chest, ear, throat, sinus, dental |
| Penicillin + beta-lactamase inhibitor | Amoxiclav (Auro-Amoxiclav, Augmentin) | The same, plus resistant strains |
| Narrow-spectrum penicillins | Penicillin V (Betapen), flucloxacillin | Strep throat; skin infections |
| Macrolides | Azithromycin, erythromycin | Used in penicillin allergy |
| Nitroimidazoles | Metronidazole | Anaerobic and dental infections |
See the antibiotics and antimicrobials hub.
What to check before using Austell Amoxicillin
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. It can be taken 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.
- You have kidney disease.
- You have glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis). Amoxicillin very commonly causes a widespread rash in glandular fever. It is a well-recognised reaction, not the same as penicillin allergy — though it is frequently recorded as one, which can affect your treatment for life.
- 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 — shake the bottle, use the measure supplied, and check how long it keeps once made up.
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.
Worth knowing: many people labelled penicillin-allergic in childhood are not actually allergic — a rash during a viral illness is frequently mistaken for one. That label pushes treatment toward broader, less suitable antibiotics for life. If you carry one you are unsure about, ask your doctor about proper assessment.
Diarrhoea is common and usually mild. Severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea, particularly with fever and particularly if it begins after the course ends, 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 worsen 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 be none 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 spreading despite treatment.
Related medicine guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Austell Amoxicillin 500 mg used for? Bacterial infections of the chest, ears, throat, sinuses, teeth and urinary tract.
Does “Austell” make it different? No. That is the manufacturer. The active ingredient and strength are what matter.
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 penicillin allergy, but this needs proper assessment rather than assumption.