Best Selling Medicine 
Azithromycin and Amoxicillin the two most common drugs to cure a bacterial issue, are highly common these days. However, ask anyone and they may find it difficult to choose one over the other.
Our focus in this article will be to find out which pill you should choose with what form of infection.
What Factors Depend On When You Choose Any Antibiotic?
See, before we try to find out which pill is better, it is important to know the factors that depend on when choosing an antibiotic.
➦ Type Of Disorder
The type of issue, Even though both are antibiotics, they have slight differences in the infections that they cure. We shall find out about this in more detail in the next sections.
➦ Age And Health
Age and health are some vital factors to consider when the doctors choose the right antibiotic for you. See, there is a matter to adjust with the actions of the pill when choosing either of these medicines.
| Azithromycin | Amoxicillin | |
| Drug Class | Macrolide Antibiotic | Penicillin Antibiotic |
| Brand Name | Zithromax | Amoxil |
| Dosage Forms | Oral Capsule | Oral Tablet |
| How Long Is The Treatment? | 5 Days | 7-10 Days |
Infections That Azithromycin Cure
Let us give you a list of some common infections that this pill can cure-
- Ear infections
- Pneumonia
- Infections in the throat
- Lung infections
- Skin infections
- Bacterial infections in the reproductive organs of both men and women
You can visit a doctor to find out about the use of Zithromax in this case and find out a suitable dose.
Infections That Amoxicillin Cures
Now, let us find out the uses of the other most common form of antibiotic-
- Ear infections
- Infections in the nose
- Skin issues
- Sinus infections
You will need a prescription to find out the right dose and find out how long you need to take it from a doctor.
The Way It Works
Depending on how pills like Azithromycin and Amoxicillin work, there is a big difference. Even though both these pills cure bacterial infections, they come from a different class of drugs.
✦ Azithromycin
This pill is a member of the macrolide antibiotic group. It works by preventing the bacteria from producing some essential proteins that it is important for its survival.
✦ Amoxicillin
Pills like Amoxicillin are a member of the penicillin type of antibiotic pill. It works by preventing the bacteria from forming a cell wall, which is very important for its living. However, it is important to know that most branded versions of this drug are not available these days. However, you can easily find the drug in its generic composition in drug stores and online pharmacies.
Which Drug Is More Effective?
Maybe a good way to find out which drug is more useful in your case is to find out which is more effective than the other. For this, we will find out the latest results and reports of studies around the world.
A study about both drug groups found that they are easy to tolerate and can be used in both adults and children. For both drug types, a doctor usually tells us to use the tablets, while for children, chewable or dissolving tablets are used.
In a study of over 100 patients in the US, it has been found that a 10-day course of both patients in patients, was found to be effective. However, it feels as if azithromycin is much better in its action and is safer to use with slightly fewer chances of side effects.
To establish this, more studies around the world were done and it was found that Azithromycin doses would usually take less time to cure an infection. It is usually found to cure an infection within 5 to 7 days of a regular dose. As for amoxicillin, the time taken may be slightly longer at around 10 to 12 days.
What About The Chances Of Side Effects With Both Medicines?
Another important thing to find out which drug is more effective in your case is to know about the chances of side effects of both pills. After all, no patient would want to end up with a major side effect after using any antibiotic.
▶ Common Side Effects Of Azithromycin
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Pain in stomach
Other side effects like vomiting and rashes were common to less than 1% of patients.
▶ Common Side Effects Of Amoxicillin
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Rashes
However, such issues affected less than 2% of patients. Chances of abdominal pain were almost nil. Overall, most doctors feel that Azithromycin may have just a slight chance of causing more side effects than the other drug group.
Studies found that this class of antibiotics had an effect that is more vigorous in the body, which is why more people had issues after taking the drug.
Comparing The Costs Of Both Antibiotics
Amoxicillin is now available in its generic forms, which is why it may be a low-cost drug easily available for you. In most sachets, a dose of 21 pills is available at around $1.
On the other hand, Azithromycin is available in its brands, which is why it costs more. Sachets of six tablets can come in at around $4 per pack.
Final Thoughts
There is no clear answer that may help you to choose an antibiotic easily. Many factors such as the type of infection, severity, and of course, adjustability to the medicine are important factors to decide on. We always ask you to get in touch with a doctor before choosing a medicine abruptly.
FAQs
Q. Is An Antibiotic Pill Suitable For A Child?
When a child has a bacterial infection, a doctor will find out the type of dose and the pill depending on their age. Usually, the 125 or 250 mg dose is suitable for them.
A doctor will tell you to let them use the swallowing pills only if they are more than 12 years of age. For a smaller age group, it is better to administer the dissolving tablet.
Q. Is There An Issue With Drug Resistance?
Yes, for both drugs issues may arise if you stop taking the dose suddenly. Once you begin, it is important to complete the full course without missing any dose.
Q. Where To Buy These Pills?
Both types of antibiotics are easily available for sale at local drug stores and even well-known online drug portals.