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Medications for Skin and Structure Infection

Other names: Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infection; cSSSI

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 4, 2023.

Common antibiotics for skin and soft tissue infections include penicillins (such as amoxicillin [Amoxil], amoxicillin/clavulanate [Augmentin], dicloxacillin [Dycill]), cephalosporins (such as cephalexin [Keflex], cefdinir) clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim), doxycycline, minocycline (Dynacin), erythromycin (EES granulesmetronidazole (Flagyl),  azithromycin (Zithromax), and linezolid (Zyvox).

Injectable options include ceftaroline, linezolid, clindamycin, daptomycin, vancomycin, and telavancin. Quinolones (such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin) may also be used for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic.

Other options include dalbavancin, oritavancin, tedizolid, delafloxacin, and omadacycline.

Drugs used to treat Skin and Structure Infection

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
mupirocin 6.9 31 reviews for mupirocin to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
mupirocin topical
Brand names:
Bactroban, Centany, Centany AT Kit, Centany AT, Pirnuo
Drug class:
topical antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Bactroban 8.0 18 reviews for Bactroban to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
mupirocin topical
Drug class:
topical antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Augmentin 7.8 5 reviews for Augmentin to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic
Drug class:
beta-lactamase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
amoxicillin / clavulanate 6.2 17 reviews for amoxicillin / clavulanate to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic
Brand names:
Augmentin, Augmentin XR, Amoclan
Drug class:
beta-lactamase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
gentamicin 9.5 2 reviews for gentamicin to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx N N
Generic name:
gentamicin topical
Brand names:
G-Myticin, Garamycin Topical
Drug class:
topical antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Azithromycin Dose Pack Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
azithromycin systemic
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
azithromycin 1.0 1 review for azithromycin to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
azithromycin systemic
Brand names:
Azithromycin Dose Pack, Zithromax
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
ciprofloxacin 5.5 2 reviews for ciprofloxacin to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx C N
Generic name:
ciprofloxacin systemic
Brand names:
Cipro, Cipro I.V., Cipro XR
Drug class:
quinolones and fluoroquinolones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
minocycline 4.0 3 reviews for minocycline to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx D N
Generic name:
minocycline systemic
Brand names:
Minocin, Dynacin, Ximino
Drug class:
tetracyclines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Zyvox 8.5 8 reviews for Zyvox to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx C N
Generic name:
linezolid systemic
Drug class:
oxazolidinone antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Zithromax Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
azithromycin systemic
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cefdinir 2.7 9 reviews for cefdinir to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefdinir systemic
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
cefadroxil 9.0 1 review for cefadroxil to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefadroxil systemic
Brand name:
Duricef
Drug class:
first generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
clarithromycin 3.6 16 reviews for clarithromycin to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx C N
Generic name:
clarithromycin systemic
Brand name:
Biaxin XL
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
linezolid 8.4 9 reviews for linezolid to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx C N
Generic name:
linezolid systemic
Brand name:
Zyvox
Drug class:
oxazolidinone antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
amoxicillin Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin systemic
Drug class:
aminopenicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Augmentin XR 9.0 1 review for Augmentin XR to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic
Drug class:
beta-lactamase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ceftin Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefuroxime systemic
Drug class:
second generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
ceftriaxone 10 1 review for ceftriaxone to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
ceftriaxone systemic
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
cefuroxime 1.0 1 review for cefuroxime to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefuroxime systemic
Brand names:
Ceftin, Zinacef
Drug class:
second generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Cipro 10 1 review for Cipro to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx C N
Generic name:
ciprofloxacin systemic
Drug class:
quinolones and fluoroquinolones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Duricef Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefadroxil systemic
Drug class:
first generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
meropenem Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
meropenem systemic
Brand name:
Merrem
Drug class:
carbapenems
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Avelox 8.0 1 review for Avelox to treat Skin and Structure Infection
Rx C N
Generic name:
moxifloxacin systemic
Drug class:
quinolones and fluoroquinolones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
neomycin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
neomycin topical
Drug class:
topical antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Skin and Structure Infection

Alternative treatments for Skin and Structure Infection

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Skin and Structure Infection. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Skin and Structure Infection.

Learn more about Skin and Structure Infection

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.