Amoxicillin and penicillin (also known as penicillin V potassium or penicillin G) are the two most widely used antibiotics worldwide.
Since their inception, it is estimated that millions of lives have been saved by effectively treating bacterial infections, including respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
Amoxicillin and penicillin have similar chemical structures and kill bacteria in the same way, so they help treat the same types of diseases.
However, there are some differences in their indications, that is, the specific infections for which each drug is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Penicillin usually treats mild to moderate illnesses, while amoxicillin can treat some serious infections.
Keep reading for a more in-depth comparison of amoxicillin and penicillin, including an overview of their uses, dosage, side effects, interaction potential, and more.
The FDA has approved amoxicillin and penicillin to treat these types of bacterial infections. Both drugs are used to treat certain bacterial infections of the ears, nose, throat, urinary tract, skin, and lower respiratory tract.
Examples of bacteria considered sensitive to amoxicillin or penicillin include some species of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus.
In addition, amoxicillin is used as part of combination drug therapy in the treatment of gastric infections caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and duodenal ulcers. Penicillin is not approved for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori.
Due to widespread and excessive use, many bacterial infections that were previously treatable with penicillin are now resistant to its effects.
In general, fewer bacteria are resistant to amoxicillin than to penicillin. However, some bacteria previously treated with amoxicillin may no longer respond to the drug.
A healthcare professional can determine which antibiotics may be appropriate to treat your infection, taking into account the latest trends in your area.
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic belonging to the beta-lactam class of drugs. It is considered an aminopenicillin, which means it was developed synthetically by making small chemical changes to penicillin.
Like penicillin, amoxicillin is FDA approved to treat infections caused by certain types of bacteria in the ears, nose, throat, urinary tract, skin, and lower respiratory tract.
In addition, amoxicillin is used as part of a combination regimen for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori and duodenal ulcer.
Finally, along with other medications, amoxicillin, one of the two active ingredients in the brand-name antibiotic Augmentin, which contains amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, can be used for difficult-to-treat sinus and ear infections.
It is also the first and only natural antibiotic. Scientists later developed other antibiotics by making slight changes to the chemical structure of penicillin.
Penicillin is a generic prescription drug. There is currently no branded version of penicillin V potassium.
Penicillin treats many of the same infections as amoxicillin. Specifically, the FDA has approved penicillin for:
Instead, penicillin G (an injectable form of penicillin containing potassium and sodium) is used to treat the following infections:
Before choosing penicillin as an antibiotic to treat a specific infection, health care providers often order laboratory tests to identify the bacteria causing the disease.
Testing can also help determine whether penicillin or other antibiotics are effective against the bacteria.
Given the similar properties of amoxicillin and penicillin, few clinical studies have directly compared the two drugs.
An earlier study examined the difference between oral amoxicillin and injectable penicillin in treating pneumonia in children.
The study found that a similar proportion of participants in the penicillin and amoxicillin groups successfully cleared their infection (81%), suggesting that both drugs are equally effective.
After a 10-day course of treatment, 76% of participants taking amoxicillin achieved treatment success, compared with 64% of participants taking penicillin.
Overall, these studies demonstrate the relative effectiveness of the two products. However, amoxicillin may provide better results against certain infections or strains of bacteria.
When choosing a dosage form, healthcare providers will consider several factors, such as personal preference and ability to swallow tablets or liquids.
Dosage recommendations for amoxicillin and penicillin vary depending on the person’s age, weight, and type and severity of infection.
These factors also influence the frequency (number of doses per day) and duration (number of days) of treatment with amoxicillin or penicillin.
Health care providers may prescribe doses outside these ranges depending on individual factors. Follow your doctor’s instructions and take amoxicillin or penicillin exactly as prescribed.
Even if symptoms disappear, treatment should not be stopped prematurely. This increases the risk of the infection returning or getting worse, making treatment more difficult.
Amoxicillin and penicillin have similar storage requirements. However, they differ depending on the dosage form:
Oral suspension: Pharmacies store these products in powdered bottles that are kept at room temperature. After mixing the powder with water, pharmacists recommend storing the liquid suspension in the refrigerator. Pay attention to the expiration date indicated by the pharmacist on the label.
This product usually expires after 10 or 14 days when mixed with water, so the drug should not be taken after the expiration date.
Like all medications, amoxicillin and penicillin can cause similar side effects. Therefore, carefully monitor yourself or a loved one when taking amoxicillin or penicillin.
If you feel that any of the following side effects are getting worse or preventing you from filling your prescription, contact your doctor immediately.
In rare cases, treatment with amoxicillin or penicillin can cause severe and long-lasting diarrhea called Clostridium difficile (C. Diff).
This occurs when antibiotics kill the “good” bacteria in the digestive tract and protect it from the overgrowth of harmful “bad” bacteria. In these cases, diarrhea can last up to two months and requires treatment.
Taking amoxicillin or penicillin can rarely cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include a rash, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face or throat.
Other drugs may interact with amoxicillin or penicillin, causing side effects or reducing effectiveness.
Before you start taking amoxicillin or penicillin, talk to your doctor about other medications you take.
Providing this information to your pharmacist may also help prevent potentially dangerous interactions.
People with a history of allergies to amoxicillin or penicillin should not take any medications.
Before starting penicillin or amoxicillin, talk to your doctor if you have a history of allergies or reactions to similar drugs.
With regard to pregnancy, there are no adequate and well-controlled studies that conclusively rule out potentially harmful effects of penicillin or amoxicillin on the fetus.
Additionally, health care providers try to avoid prescribing amoxicillin to people with a history of mononucleosis or “mono” due to the risk of skin reactions.
Penicillin is a class of antibiotics used against a variety of bacteria. Penicillin and amoxicillin belong to the penicillin group.
Since the introduction of penicillin in 1941, these two drugs have saved millions of lives through their various uses, treating conditions such as bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, urinary tract, skin and lower respiratory tract.
However, as with all medications, health care providers must decide how and when to use these drugs, since their fundamental differences, especially amoxicillin’s effectiveness against more types of bacteria, may dictate what antibiotics a doctor prescribes to treat an infection. .
Post time: Oct-24-2023