Does Amoxicillin Cause Yeast Infections?

A yeast infection is an infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Candida naturally lives in the body in small amounts. Still, when it grows beyond normal levels, it can cause an infection known as candidiasis.

Candidiasis can exist in various places in the body, including:

• the gut
• the mouth (oral candidiasis)
• the vagina (vaginal candidiasis)
• the skin (cutaneous candidiasis)

Yet, all forms of candidiasis result from an overgrowth of Candida yeast.

To treat a vaginal yeast infection, you need to kill the excess candida and reduce the population to healthy levels. Many different supplements and compounds can eliminate candida, some of which are more effective than others.

In addition, to treat Candida overgrowth, you need to restore a healthy balance in the gut microbiome. Generally, getting rid of candida is complex and requires following a strict candida cleanse protocol.

Can Amoxicillin Cure Yeast Infection?

In an attempt to treat Candida infection, some people turn to amoxicillin for yeast infection. Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic. But can amoxicillin treat yeast infections? The short answer: no, in fact, it amoxicillin may even worsen or cause a yeast infection. 

How does amoxicillin cause a yeast infection? As mentioned, candida is a type of fungus. This means that antifungal agents must kill Candida species, not antibacterial or antibiotic compounds.

Candida overgrowth only occurs when the beneficial bacteria in the gut are reduced and can no longer keep Candida populations under control. Therefore, to treat candida, you want to focus on improving the health of your stomach and increasing beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome.

Does Amoxicillin Cause Yeast Infections? 

Amoxicillin, however, does the opposite. As an antibiotic, amoxicillin will kill bacteria in the gut—both good and bad. This may be necessary if you have a bacterial infection, but a fungal infection is different.

Does Amoxicillin Cause Yeast Infections? 

So, can you get a yeast infection from amoxicillin? Indirectly, yes. This is because of the effect that antibiotics can have to your gut health. They are one of the biggest causes of dysbiosis, a bacterial imbalance in the gut. Trying to treat a Candida infection with an antibiotic like amoxicillin will not only be ineffective against candida (as it is a fungus and not a bacteria). But it will also further reduce the number of beneficial bacteria in your gut, resulting in an even more ideal environment for candida to thrive.

For this reason, it is best to avoid amoxicillin and antibiotics altogether when dealing with a Candida infection. Instead, it is much better to use herbal extracts for their antifungal effects.

The antifungal herbs in this formula are effective against Candida albicans specifically. Oregon grape root, for example, is effective against various strains of candida and destroys Candida biofilms.

Biofilms are films of bacteria that develop around candida and can protect candida from antifungal compounds. By breaking down the biofilm surrounding Candida, Oregon grape root makes candida more vulnerable to antifungal compounds like berberine—an active ingredient in Oregon grape root. 

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic. It can help treat bacterial infections. However, it is much more effective to use antifungal herbs and avoid antibiotics that could further damage your gut health for treating candida.

Always consult a doctor before taking any dietary supplements or considering medications.