Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Amoxicillin Used For?Side EffectsBacterial Vaginosis TreatmentsBacterial Vaginosis PreventionFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Amoxicillin Used For?

Side Effects

Bacterial Vaginosis Treatments

Bacterial Vaginosis Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

Bacterial vaginosis(BV) is a bacterial infection of the vagina that affects about a third of all women between the ages of 15 and 44. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), however, BV can increase the risk of getting an STI. BV is rare in people who have not had sexual intercourse, although experts aren’t sure exactly how these infections start.

Several different types of bacteria can cause bacterial vaginosis, and antibiotics are prescribed to treat this infection. Not all antibiotics work equally in treating this condition, though. This article will explore what medications can treat bacterial vaginosis and if amoxicillin is one of them.

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Young woman speaking with her healthcare provider.

Is Amoxicillin an Effective Treatment for BV?

Although amoxicillin is not as effective against these BV bacteria, it may be used in some cases where other antibacterial medications are not an option.

Taking Amoxicillin for a Sinus Infection: What to Expect

Side Effects Of Amoxicillin

There are side effects with many types ofantibiotics,and the most common with amoxicillin are:

Less common—but more serious—side effects can include:

Every Antibiotics Question You Have, Answered

The CDC currently recommends either metronidazole or clindamycin as the first choices fortreating bacterial vaginosis. Options for these include any one of the following, with the CDC not recommending one over the other:

While these are the top choices for treating BV, the CDC also offers the following alternative regimens:

The CDC doesn’t specify which types of antibiotics—oral or vaginal—are preferred for treating BV, but it is clear that oral metronidazole, vaginal metronidazole, or clindamycin should be the first choice in treating these infections.

It’s not exactly clear how BV infections start, but they can occur in people who have not had vaginal intercourse. The following can contribute to BV:

The CDC recommends taking these steps tohelp prevent BV infections:

Talk to your healthcare provider about ways you can prevent BV or other infections that can develop with sexual activity.

Summary

Bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial infection of the vagina. Douching and other activities can also upset your body’s natural balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria and contribute to these infections.

Antibiotics are usually used to treat bacterial infections, but not every type of antibiotic can be used for every bacterial infection. Your healthcare provider will prescribe an antibiotic that is the right match for your particular type of infection.

A Word From Verywell

If you think you have an infection of the vagina, talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options. Do not use antibiotics left over from previous infections since antibiotics are intended to treat specific infections. Amoxicillin is not one of the preferred options to treat BV.

Frequently Asked QuestionsThe maximum daily dose for amoxicillin is 4,000 mg per day for adults, but you should not take any antibiotics without a healthcare provider’s order and supervision.The CDC recommends either the antibiotics metronidazole or clindamycin to treat bacterial vaginosis.Learn MoreHow Bacterial Vaginosis Is TreatedDepending on which antibiotic you are prescribed, your bacterial vaginosis may resolve in about a week. It’s not uncommon, though, for these infections to be difficult to clear or return after some time. Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms return or don’t improve after you’ve finished your medication.Learn MoreBacterial Vaginosis: Symptoms and Complications

The maximum daily dose for amoxicillin is 4,000 mg per day for adults, but you should not take any antibiotics without a healthcare provider’s order and supervision.

The CDC recommends either the antibiotics metronidazole or clindamycin to treat bacterial vaginosis.Learn MoreHow Bacterial Vaginosis Is Treated

The CDC recommends either the antibiotics metronidazole or clindamycin to treat bacterial vaginosis.

Learn MoreHow Bacterial Vaginosis Is Treated

Depending on which antibiotic you are prescribed, your bacterial vaginosis may resolve in about a week. It’s not uncommon, though, for these infections to be difficult to clear or return after some time. Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms return or don’t improve after you’ve finished your medication.Learn MoreBacterial Vaginosis: Symptoms and Complications

Depending on which antibiotic you are prescribed, your bacterial vaginosis may resolve in about a week. It’s not uncommon, though, for these infections to be difficult to clear or return after some time. Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms return or don’t improve after you’ve finished your medication.

Learn MoreBacterial Vaginosis: Symptoms and Complications

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.Akhavan BJ, Khanna NR, Vijhani P.Amoxicillin.StatPearls.Berrebi A.Antibiotiques et vaginoses bactériennes [Antibiotics and bacterial vaginosis].Rev Fr Gynecol Obstet.March 1993;88(3):215-2177.MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.University of California San Francisco.Maximum dosing for amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate.

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.Akhavan BJ, Khanna NR, Vijhani P.Amoxicillin.StatPearls.Berrebi A.Antibiotiques et vaginoses bactériennes [Antibiotics and bacterial vaginosis].Rev Fr Gynecol Obstet.March 1993;88(3):215-2177.MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.University of California San Francisco.Maximum dosing for amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.Akhavan BJ, Khanna NR, Vijhani P.Amoxicillin.StatPearls.Berrebi A.Antibiotiques et vaginoses bactériennes [Antibiotics and bacterial vaginosis].Rev Fr Gynecol Obstet.March 1993;88(3):215-2177.MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.University of California San Francisco.Maximum dosing for amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.

Akhavan BJ, Khanna NR, Vijhani P.Amoxicillin.StatPearls.

Berrebi A.Antibiotiques et vaginoses bactériennes [Antibiotics and bacterial vaginosis].Rev Fr Gynecol Obstet.March 1993;88(3):215-2177.

MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.

University of California San Francisco.Maximum dosing for amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate.

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