Penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins are some of the antibiotics, used to treat strep throat. Scroll down to know more about the recommended antibiotic dosage to treat this throat problem.
Did You Know?
Gargling with salt water and drinking chamomile tea are some of the best home remedies to cure strep throat without antibiotics.
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that affects thousands every year in the United States. It is typically marked by inflammation of the tonsils, that can make swallowing food a painful task. Soreness accompanied by irritation in throat are some of the most common symptoms of this condition.
Being a bacterial infection, following are the antibiotics recommended to treat strep throat:
Penicillin
This antibiotic has been used for years for the treatment of strep throat. However, in order to get rid of this bacterial infection, choosing the right type of penicillin is necessary. Penicillin V has been recommended and when given orally for a period of 10 days, can eliminate this infection. Also, a single dosage of penicillin in a day, is not enough and mostly multiple dosages (2-3 times) need to be taken, during the day.
Amoxicillin
This is another antibiotic belonging to the penicillin family that has brought a considerable amount of relief among strep throat sufferers. Although, penicillin is usually recommended, those allergic to this medicine, may go for amoxicillin. Unlike penicillin, amoxicillin is taken orally, just once in a day. So the risk of side effects, in case of amoxicillin is significantly lower than penicillin.
Erythromycin
Streptococcal infections that invade the throat can also be treated with erythromycin. The bacteria causing strep throat are extremely sensitive to erythromycin and cannot withstand its damaging effects on exposure to this drug. This antibiotic destroys the DNA of the bacteria, thus stopping them from multiplying.
Cephalosporins
Cephalosporin antibiotics have also been quite helpful to get rid of this bacterial infection. In fact, a recent study shows that the efficacy of cephalosporin is significantly more than that of penicillin and amoxicillin with minimal side effects. The success rate of cephalosporin in curing this infection, is very high as compared to penicillin and can also be given to children with minimal side effects (if any).
Dosage
Antibiotics need to be taken in the prescribed dose to eliminate the infection. Side effects such as diarrhea, skin rash, and nausea, generally occur when the recommended dose is not followed. The dosage is prescribed, considering the patient’s weight and age.
Whatever may be the dosage, it should be taken for the prescribed duration. Many people discontinue the medicine, once, they start feeling better. However, by doing this, the stronger bacteria do not die and hence infection returns within a short time. So, it would be better to complete the course of antibiotics, to get rid of this bacterial infection once and for all.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
