Often patients turn to clinics for qualified help in inflammatory diseases. The main task of a specialist is to defeat the infection caused by various bacteria. After all, the patient’s speed of recovery depends on this, only in this way serious complications can be avoided. Among the many highly effective drugs of the bactericidal group, doctors often choose "Azithromycin or" Amoxicillin. However, not all patients understand the difference between these agents. We will conduct a comparative analysis of the drugs, consider what doctors say about this.
General information
The first reason why it is difficult for a patient to decide between Amoxicillin and Azithromycin, what is the difference between these antibiotics, is their general purpose. They are often included in the treatment regimen for the same diseases. In fact, these are completely different drugs.
It was noted that often the conversations of patients who have encountered an infection revolve around Azithromycin and Amoxicillin. What is the difference between these means, many want to understand. Such interest in these antibiotics is caused by their great popularity. Indeed, in the pharmaceutical market they occupy a significant part of antibacterial medicines.
Description of medicines
Amoxicillin is a synthetic penicillin drug. These are beta-latcine antibiotics that have been widely used in clinical practice for many years. The tool is designed to eliminate most types of microorganisms of various nature. It inhibits the synthesis of bacterial membranes, destroying their integrity. Gram-negative and gram-positive cocci, salmonella, E. coli, Shigella, Klebsiella show antibiotic sensitivity.
"Azithromycin" is an antibiotic macrolide agent belonging to the group of azalides. It has slightly different structural features and a different mechanism of action. It is able to suppress the function of ribosomes, penetrating into microorganisms. Thus, the growth of pathogenic microflora stops, bacteria die due to the human immune system. The drug is moderately active against such anaerobic organisms as clostridia, bacteroids, peptococci. Gram-positive pathogens are especially sensitive to it: streptococci, pneumococci, staphylococci. And also gram-negative: enterococci, salmonella, gonococci and Escherichia coli.
In this regard, it is difficult to judge whether Azithromycin or Amoxicillin is stronger. In particular, their effect depends on which pathogens provoked the infection in the patient's body.
Release Forms
The antibiotics Azithromycin and Amoxicillin have established themselves as effective drugs in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms, and the spectrum of such bacteria is quite wide.
The first medicine is found in pharmacies in the form of powder, tablets and capsules. A tablet unit contains 250-500 mg of the main component. The suspension is available in different dosages, the powder is measured and packaged in 100, 200 and 500 mg. A syringe with graduated graduations is attached to the medicine.
"Amoxicillin" is designed for oral administration in the form of capsules, tablets, and for the preparation of a solution in granules. The latter are packaged in specialized bottles in the form of bottles, each of which contains 40 g of antibiotic. The pharmaceutical market offers a dosage of oral preparations in two versions - 250 and 500 mg.
Pharmacological actions
"Amoxicillin" in the body is distributed evenly. When using tablets, the main component is absorbed into the blood. An increased concentration of the drug is found in joints, liver tissues, and muscles. The accumulation of an antibiotic in a biological fluid depends on the dose taken. It is not metabolized in the liver, leaves the body with the urine in an unchanged form, easily penetrates the spinal membranes. Thanks to good pharmacological actions, he has found wide recognition in medicine.
"Azithromycin" is characterized by intensive accumulation in therapeutic doses in the respiratory system. Partially, it penetrates the cells of the immune system and persists for a long time. In tissues, it is localized in a larger amount than in plasma. In the organs of macrolides and other areas of accumulation, its action in infected cells lasts for six days.
Reason for prescribing antibiotics
You should not rush to find out the mechanism of action of Amoxicillin or Azithromycin, and what better helps if there is no reason for this. To start taking antibiotics, you must finally make sure that you need them. This will help to conduct an in-depth study, which will determine the type of bacteria present in the body, check their sensitivity to various bactericidal substances. Although this process is lengthy and requires efforts both on the part of the doctor and the patient, it is worth it. To alleviate the condition, the doctor can prescribe medications based on the patient’s history and laboratory tests, which do not take much time. Blood is given for examination, and appointments are made based on general symptoms.
At the end of bacteriological manipulations, it will become clear which medicine to choose. Sometimes, some patients, ignoring such measures, prescribe medications on their own, and then are wondering why Amoxicillin or Azithromycin did not have a positive effect. In addition, it also caused a lot of side effects.
For diseases
There are a number of conditions that are indicated in the instructions for use of both antibiotics. In such cases, fluctuations regarding what is better - "Azithromycin" or "Amoxicillin" occur even with the attending physicians. Indeed, medicines are intended for general conditions, which means they can be prescribed. This is partly true. However, each of them has its own specifics, and a qualified specialist will certainly take into account such nuances. The diseases in which Amoxicillin or Azithromycin can be prescribed are as follows:
- pharyngitis;
- otitis media
- bacterial bronchitis;
- laryngitis;
- tracheitis;
- tonsillitis (chronic and acute forms);
- pneumonia;
- skin lesions of an infectious nature;
- inflammation of the bladder, urethra.
With angina
Bacterial tonsillitis cannot be cured without antibiotics. They prevent the spread of infection to other organs, reduce the risk of developing various pathologies. What is better to choose with angina, Amoxicillin or Azithromycin? Penicillin antibiotics are primarily prescribed. If for some reason these funds need to be canceled or their intolerance is observed, then a drug from the macrolide group is prescribed after them. "Azithromycin" after "Amoxicillin" is prescribed if the pathogens have been resistant to penicillins. In some patients, the latter can cause allergic reactions, this is also a good reason for their cancellation.
With purulent tonsillitis, a medicine from the penicillin series is prescribed. There is a list of contraindications to macrolide antibiotic for tonsillitis. These include:
- liver failure;
- hypersensitivity to the main substance;
- use of ergot derivatives;
- kidney disease
- heart failure, arrhythmia.
Prescribing drugs in specific cases
There are situations when you need to achieve the highest concentration of the drug in the body in a short time. This may include abdominal infections, diseases of the stomach and intestines provoked by pathogenic microorganisms. In this case, a drug from the penicillin group is prescribed. It is also used in the treatment of small patients up to 10 years. It is Amoxicillin that is chosen when complex therapy is necessary, since its positive interactions with some antibiotics from the bactericidal group and ascorbic acid are noted. From this we can conclude that the drug is universal, it can be used to treat babies.
A medication from the macrolide class comes to the rescue when infections of unknown origin are present in the body. It can be used for pregnant women and children over 12 years old. It is an excellent substitute for penicillin intolerance. The downside of Azithromycin is that it has too limited a circle of patients. As for contraindications, it dominates the first drug, since it has a wider list of prescriptions. In medical practice, its incompatibility with heparin injections was noted. Along with the use of macrolide agents, most of the anticoagulants and other antibiotics are excluded due to its poor interaction with them.
Many patients are interested in whether it is possible to replace Azithromycin with Amoxicillin. Yes it is possible. Moreover, the effectiveness of therapy does not decrease. However, only a doctor should make such decisions, and the period of transition from one medication to another must be kept under his strict control.
Instruction manual
Macrolide antibiotics have a complex structure. The prescribed course of therapy with “Azithromycin” is short, therefore packs with tablets contain 3 and 6 units. Take the medicine at intervals of two hours before eating, and one hour after eating. When developing a dosage rate, a one-time medication was supposed. Here, its long-term elimination was taken into account. With what dosage of tablets to take, the doctor determines. This course is suitable for the treatment of all respiratory, ear and skin diseases.
There are special purposes in which the treatment period can fluctuate. For example, with cervicitis and urethritis of an infectious nature, it is one day, with a dosage of an antibiotic of 1 g. For the treatment of gynecological diseases and pneumonia, infusions over 3-5 days (0.5 g) are recommended. The duration of treatment in this case can be from a week to ten days.
"Amoxicillin", like the first drug, can not be combined with meals. The standard dose of medication for adults is 1.5 g, the frequency of doses is -3. The duration of therapy can vary from 5 days to 14. The doctor makes an appointment taking into account the complexity and clinic of the infection. To suppress the process of reproduction, Helicobacter pylori is prescribed a two-time administration of an antibiotic of 2 g.
If negative reactions to the administration of the drug and intolerance to the active components were noted in the past, then their use, as well as other drugs from the beta-lactam and macrolide groups, is prohibited. Together, Amoxicillin and Azithromycin are not taken. This can aggravate the course of the processes of both the disease itself and the effect of medications. A more detailed explanation is provided below.
Why is Azithromycin and Amoxicillin not prescribed at the same time?
Each drug has been developed for a specific purpose and has its purpose. Usually, when compiling a complex treatment regimen, one type of any antibiotic is included in it, in emergency cases they can be combined. As for the preparations described by us, the experts very clearly explain that they cannot be used together and their compatibility is not expected. Amoxicillin and Azithromycin are safe antibiotics per se. Although, like many other medicines, they have side effects. However, with Azithromycin they are more pronounced if other medications are taken along with it.
Both antibiotics have a complex effect on the patient's condition. Penetrating into the bloodstream, they have a positive effect on the functioning of the systems and organs of the human body. However, their combined use significantly inhibits the recovery of the patient. This is because the active substance of one antibiotic can interfere with the work and absorption of another. Thus, their entry into the bloodstream will be delayed, and the infection will begin to progress in the patient's body.
Sometimes with severe bronchitis, a macrolide medication is prescribed simultaneously with Amoxiclav.
Side effects
The negative consequences after treatment with "Amoxicillin" or "Azithromycin" can be manifested by the following conditions:
- From the digestive system: flatulence, vomiting, colitis, upset, nausea, hypertransaminazemia, disturbance of the microflora in the intestines.
- Individual intolerance reactions: Quincke's edema, conjunctivitis, pruritus, urticaria, rhinorrhea, bronchial spasm, anaphylaxis, rash, eosinophilia and other allergic manifestations.
- From the nervous system: weakness, excessive anxiety, dizziness, cephalalgia, asomnia, or increased drowsiness.
- Disorders from the cardiovascular system: tachycardia, increased heart rate.
- Other conditions: Amiksotsillin or Azithromycin can trigger the development of sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Sometimes there are conditious manifestations on the mucous membranes of the vagina and the mouth, diffuse changes in the kidneys.
We list the side effects of drugs separately. Regarding the use of the drug macrolide registered: severe liver damage, hearing impairment. A representative from a number of penicillins causes dysgeusia, a decrease in fractions in the biological fluid - red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, neutrophils. Side effects due to an excess dose of the drug affect the digestive system more.
Summary
To summarize the comparison of "Azithromycin" and "Amoxicillin": what is the difference between these antibiotics, what similarities they have.
Identical characteristics of bactericidal agents:
- belong to the group of semi-synthetic medicines;
- have a similar spectrum of effects;
- both drugs are characterized by slow absorption of the main component with the participation of anthocides;
- have a bactericidal effect (provided that antibiotics are taken in large doses).
The main differences of the drugs:
- degree of intensity regarding pathogens;
- belonging to different pharmacological groups;
- anaerobic bacteria can only eliminate Azithromycin;
- different rate of accumulation in the body.
What do the doctors say?
Most healthcare providers recognize the safety and effectiveness of these antibiotics. However, it is not recommended to take swift decisions regarding their use. For example, if pharyngitis or a runny nose was provoked by a pathogen of a viral nature, then both medicines can cause serious harm to health. Only a doctor will be able to correctly assess the clinic of the disease and choose a remedy that will be able to eliminate the pathogenic microflora. You always need to agree to research your body and follow the instructions of doctors.