We now come to a very interesting juncture in our read and knowledge of drug medication which has been ushered in by the question: What’s the difference between amoxicillin and azithromycin? The question is interesting because both are antibiotics and we already know that all antibiotics are used for treating bacterial infections so they are similar right? Actually, no, because there are similarities and differences between them which you will discover when you continue reading this article.
Some important facts about amoxicillin and azithromycin
If you have suffered from the effects of a bacterial sinus infection or many other different types of bacterial infections that often occur, there’s a very good chance that you have taken an antibiotic as a remedy.
Whichever antibiotic you took would depend on what the doctor prescribes for you as the right medication for treating your bacterial infection.
Regardless of which one of the two you took, Azithromycin and amoxicillin are two of the most popular antibiotics used for treating bacterial infections, but not viral infections such as the common cold or flue.
Azithromycin
The brand name for Azithromycin is Zithromax which is normally prescribed as Zithromax Z-Pak and is categorized under a group of medications called macrolide antibiotics.
When Azithromycin is fighting against bacteria, it binds itself to the bacteria and prevents it from generating proteins which it needs for it to survive.
Usually, Azithromycin is used for treating pneumonia, sinus infections in the nasal and brain cavities aa well as sexually transmitted diseases and more.
Amoxcillin
The brand name for Amoxicillin is Amoxil on the other hand and is categorized under a family of medications called penicillin or beta-lactam antibiotics.
What Amoxicillin does when attacking bacteria is it prevents them from creating cell walls which kills effectively kills bacteria.
It’s commonly used for treating bacterial infections such as infections of the throat, infections of the ears, pneumonia and other infections.
Despite the fact that they are antibiotics, they do have many differences and as mentioned earlier, you need to read on to know more.
Main differences between azithromycin and amoxicillin
Let’s have a look at Azithromycin first. Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic known by brand name Zithromax which is produced by Pfizer. This medication is usually prescribed in a tablet form and is contained in a Zithromax Z-Pak, which is a six-tablets, 5-day treatment course of azithromycin. It can also be taken in tablet form contained in a Zithromax Tri-Pak for a shorter 3-day course of azithromycin.
Amoxicillin on the other hand is a penicillin antibioticwith the brand name of Amoxil. Unfortunately this brand name is no longer available on the market so this medication is available only by its generic name of Amoxicillin. This drug medication is usually prescribed in capsule form or combined with clavulanic acid (for preventing resistance) under the name Augmentin. Amoxicillin is usually used for treating infections in adults as well as children by indication.
For both of these drug medications, if you happen to be under treatment you should take them precisely as directed by the doctor or pharmacist, and also to complete the full course, even if you feel better soon after taking the treatment.
Conditions treated by amoxicillin and azithromycin
Azithromycin
Azithromycin is used for treating different types of bacterial infections both in adults and children as listed below. However it shouldn’t be used for treating patients who have:
- pneumonia
- cystic fibrosis
- nosocomial infections
- known or suspected bacteremia (bacteria of the blood)
- patients in hospital,
- debilitated or elderly patients,
- patients with compromised immune system
- patients suffering from asplenia (no spleen).
The following list makes up more of the conditions that can be treated with azithromycin:
- Severe ear infection (otitis media) of children >6 months of age caused by Hemophilus influenza, Streptococcus pneumonia or Moraxella catarrhalis
- Severe bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis caused by Haemophilus influenza, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumonia.
- Severe bacterial sinusitis causedby Streptococcus pnewmoniae
- Urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhaeae
- Community-acquired pneumonia due to Chlamydophila pnewmoniae, Haemophilus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, Mycoplasma pneumonia, or Streptecoccus pneumonia (children older than 6 months and adults)
- Uncomplicated skin/sin structure infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Streptococcus agalactiae
- Genital ulcer disease in men caused by Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid)
- Pharyngitis/tonsillitis due to Chlamydia Trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhaeae
Similarly, Amoxicillin is also used for treating different types of bacterial infections:
- in a combined triple treatment with lansoprazole and clarithromycin (Prevpac) for patients with pylori-infection and duodenal ulcer
- Ear-nose-throat infections caused by known strains of Streptococcus, pneumonia, Staphylococcus spp., or E. faecalis
- Genitourinary tract infections from coli, P. mirabilis, or E. faecalis
- Eradication of pylori- for lowering the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence
- Skin-skin structural infections caused by known strains of Streptococcus Staghylococcus, or E. coli
- Chronic uncomplicated gonorrhea in males and females caused by gonorrhoeae
- Lower respiratory tract infections caused by known strains of Streptococcus, S. pnewmoniae, Staphylococcus, or H. influenza
A very important aspect of using either azithromycin or amoxicillin in treating bacterial infections is that they should be used precisely according to directions given by the doctor or pharmacist.
Which is more effective of the two antibiotics?
To determine the effectiveness of azithromycin and amoxicillin, several factors should be considered such as:
- the cause of infection should be indicated
- where the infection has taken place
- what antibiotic would be the most appropriate
- the administration of the antibiotic as to dose, time and duration
- the efficacy of the antibiotic
All these were applied in a study that compared a single dose of azithromycin to a 10-day regimen of amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) for children suffering from ear infections. It was found by researchers that both drugs were both drugs were effective and well tolerated.
Another study done in Brazil involved 100 patients with infectious exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study concluded that both drugs were also effective in treating the infections and were well-tolerated by the patients.
Therefore the efficacy of both antibiotics has been confirmed so if you suffer from bacterial infection, you should approach your doctor or pharmacist soonest.
He/she will examine your case to decide on using the most appropriate antibiotic for you after factoring in your symptoms, medical history, along with the drugs you’ve taken or are taking that may interact with azithromycin or amoxicillin.
Your only obligation is to precisely follow the directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist until your treatment course ends and not before.
Bottom line
Comparing drug medications or any medication for that matter is not a simple process. It usually involves a dual responsibility of both health provider and you as the person being treated to do exactly what they are supposed to do for the welfare of the patient. A research study is carried out to ascertain drug efficacy; it is then applied to the patient. The patient takes the medication precisely as directed right to the end and the result should be a successful cure!
