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What Causes Severe Headache After Taking Amoxicillin?
Posted on
Mon, 13 Mar 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 13 Mar 2017
Answered on
Tue, 4 Apr 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : i have started to take Amoxicillin 500mg capsules a day ago for my ear ache, since this morning i am having a really bad headache. I was not able to reach doctor who prescribed it to me to ask about it. I was told that i could not stop taking it until all pills are taken though if this is causing my headache I'd like not taking it for time being, Will it be OK?
Thank you.
-XXXX
Thank you.
-XXXX
Brief Answer:
Please do not stop antibiotics without talking to your doctors
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Amoxicillin 500 mg is an antibiotic and your doctor has said it right that it should be taken for a complete short duration course over few days.
Antibiotics work against infection causing bacteria and probably your doctor has examined your ear ache in detail and made a diagnosis of bacterial infection.
The headache is less from taking Amoxicillin 500 mg. It is possible that your headache is due to your illness and infection. You can take any of the over the counter headache pills and most likely the head ache will resolve over the next few hours.
Stopping the antibiotic without talking to your doctor might cause more harm than good because it will not cure your infection completely and you will have to take another course of a stronger antibiotics. Discontinuing antibiotics also gives rise to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
In conclusion, please take an over the counter pill and watch for your headache to get improve. If your headache worsens or there is no improvement even after 4 to 6 hours, then you should make attempts to get back to the hospital or phone your doctor.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Please do not stop antibiotics without talking to your doctors
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Amoxicillin 500 mg is an antibiotic and your doctor has said it right that it should be taken for a complete short duration course over few days.
Antibiotics work against infection causing bacteria and probably your doctor has examined your ear ache in detail and made a diagnosis of bacterial infection.
The headache is less from taking Amoxicillin 500 mg. It is possible that your headache is due to your illness and infection. You can take any of the over the counter headache pills and most likely the head ache will resolve over the next few hours.
Stopping the antibiotic without talking to your doctor might cause more harm than good because it will not cure your infection completely and you will have to take another course of a stronger antibiotics. Discontinuing antibiotics also gives rise to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
In conclusion, please take an over the counter pill and watch for your headache to get improve. If your headache worsens or there is no improvement even after 4 to 6 hours, then you should make attempts to get back to the hospital or phone your doctor.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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