7 Antibiotics for Throat Infection (That Your Doctor May Prescribe)

Created by: Tua Saude editing team

Antibiotics for a throat infection, such as amoxicillin, azithromycin, and cephalexin, are prescribed to treat bacterial infections that cause sore throat, fever, or difficulty swallowing. These medicines eliminate Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus), the main cause of strep throat.

Most throat infections are viral and do not require antibiotics, but bacterial cases may be treated to prevent complications like rheumatic fever or abscesses. These infections spread through contact with respiratory droplets or contaminated surfaces.

A sore throat often improves within a few days, but medical assessment is essential to confirm whether antibiotics are needed. Using these medications only when prescribed helps avoid antibiotic resistance and unwanted side effects.

Doctor assessing patient's throat

List of antibiotics

Antibiotics that your doctor may consider prescribing for a throat infection include:

1. Penicillin V

Penicillin V is the first-line antibiotics for treating bacterial throat infections such as strep throat. It works by destroying bacterial cell walls, helping eliminate Streptococcus pyogenes and reduce throat inflammation.

Dosing: Adults: 250 mg four times daily or 500 mg twice daily for 10 days. Children: 250 mg two or three times daily for 10 days (dose adjusted by weight).

Side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, or mild abdominal pain.

Contraindications: Allergy to penicillin or cephalosporins; caution in people with kidney disease or those taking methotrexate.

2. Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is the first-line antibiotic for bacterial throat infections like strep throat. It works by stopping bacteria from forming cell walls, causing them to die.

Dosing: Adults: 500 mg twice daily or 250 mg three times daily for 10 days. Children: 50 mg/kg once daily (max 1000 mg) or 25 mg/kg twice daily for 10 days.

Side effects: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash, or itching.

Contraindications: Allergy to penicillin or cephalosporins; use with caution in people with kidney disease or during pregnancy.

Also recommended: Can you take amoxicillin while breastfeeding? tuasaude.com/en/doctor-says/can-you-take-amoxicillin-while-breastfeeding

3. Azithromycin

Azithromycin is an alternative antibiotic for people allergic to penicillin. It stops bacterial protein synthesis, reducing inflammation and infection.

Dosing: Adults: 500 mg on day 1, followed by 250 mg once daily on days 2 to 5. Children: 12 mg/kg once daily (max 500 mg) for 5 days.

Side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, headache, fatigue.

Contraindications: Allergy to macrolides (azithromycin, erythromycin); use cautiously in people with liver, kidney, or heart conditions.

4. Cefadroxil

Cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat bacterial throat infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. It works by preventing bacteria from forming cell walls, leading to their destruction.

Dosing: Adults: 1 g once daily or 500 mg twice daily for 10 days. Children: 30 mg/kg once daily or divided every 12 hours (max 1 g per day).

Side effects: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or rash.

Contraindications: Allergy to cephalosporins or penicillins; caution in people with kidney disease or gastrointestinal disorders.

5. Erythromycin

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used when penicillin and azithromycin are not suitable. It inhibits bacterial growth by preventing protein formation.

Dosing: Adults: 250–500 mg every 6 hours for 10 days. Children: 30–50 mg/kg/day divided every 6 hours.

Side effects: Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Contraindications: Allergy to macrolides, history of liver disease, or use of medications that prolong QT interval.

6. Clindamycin

Clindamycin is used for severe or recurrent bacterial throat infections, especially in people allergic to penicillin. It works by blocking bacterial protein synthesis.

Dosing: Adults: 300 mg every 8 hours for 10 days. Children: 7 mg/kg every 8 hours (max 300 mg per dose).

Side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, metallic taste, rash.

Contraindications: Allergy to clindamycin or lincomycin; caution in people with liver, kidney, or intestinal disease.

7. Cephalexin

Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat Streptococcus pyogenes throat infections. It kills bacteria by interfering with cell wall synthesis.

Dosing: Adults: 500 mg every 12 hours for 10 days. Children: 25–50 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours (max 500 mg per dose).

Side effects: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rash.

Contraindications: Allergy to cephalosporins or penicillins; use with caution in people with kidney or liver disease.

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References
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