Antibiotics for Strep Throat
Examples
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| amoxicillin | |
| cephalexin | Keflex |
| erythromycin | ERYC, Ery-Tab |
| penicillin |
Penicillin is often the first choice of antibiotic for strep throat unless you are allergic to it.
Most antibiotics are taken for 10 days. Or a single shot of penicillin may be given. The shot does not help you get better any faster than other types of penicillin.
How It Works
Antibiotics help kill the bacteria that cause infection.
Why It Is Used
Antibiotics may be prescribed if you have strep throat. Your doctor may diagnose strep throat by talking to you, examining you, and looking in your mouth. The doctor also may lightly rub the back of your throat with a long cotton swab, to test for strep bacteria.
How Well It Works
Antibiotics may not make you well faster. But they shorten the time you are able to spread the disease to others. Antibiotics also lower the risk of the infection spreading to other parts of your body.
Side Effects
Side effects of antibiotics may include:
- A skin rash.
- Diarrhea.
- Nausea.
- In rare cases, a life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis) along with hives, shortness of breath, and shock.
Antibiotics also can change the normal bacteria in your body. This can lead to problems such as:
- A vaginal yeast infection.
- An infection of the intestines caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria (pseudomembranous enterocolitis).
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
It is possible for a person to carry strep bacteria in the throat but not have any symptoms. Antibiotic treatment is not usually needed if the strep infection is not actively causing symptoms. But it may be helpful for the person carrying strep to be treated with antibiotics if he or she has a history of rheumatic fever, frequent strep throat infections, or family members with recurring strep infections.
Be sure to take all of the antibiotic your doctor prescribes. Do not stop taking the antibiotic early just because you feel better. The infection may not go away if you do not take all of the antibiotic as prescribed by your doctor.
Although it is important to take antibiotics for strep throat, they will not help if your sore throat is caused by a virus instead of strep bacteria. If you take antibiotics when you don't need them, they may not work when you do need them. Each time you take antibiotics, you are more likely to have some bacteria that the medicine does not kill. Over time, these bacteria can change (mutate) and become harder to kill. The antibiotics that are used to kill them will no longer work. These bacteria are called antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
If you have trouble taking the medicines as prescribed due to side effects or other concerns, contact your doctor.
Children who have strep throat should stay home from day care or school until they have taken at least 1 full day of antibiotics and they are feeling well enough to return.
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You are one of 31% of Americans who don't floss daily, but you're well on your way to making a positive impact on your teeth and gums. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Aim for all 7 days!
Only 50.5% of Americans floss daily, and good for you that you are one of them! Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Congratulations on your good oral health habit!
SOURCES:
American Dental Association, Healthy People 2010
This tool is intended only for adults 18 and older.
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