This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Common side effects of amoxicillin
These common side effects of amoxicillin can happen in up to 1 in 10 people who take the medicine. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Skin rash
If you get a skin rash, it may help to take an antihistamine which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you.
Feeling sick (nausea)
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your amoxicillin after a meal or snack
Diarrhoea
Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you have severe, watery diarrhoea, or any diarrhoea that lasts for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 ↗. MyPHU is independent and is not endorsed by the NHS.