What is the difference between cephalexin and amoxicillin?
Question posted by crutch on 15 July 2011
Last updated on 2 June 2018
3 Answers
have you ever taken cephalexin and was it ok I need to take it but my anxiety stopping me
I was prescribed cephalexin as an antibiotic when I had surgery to remove a small basil cell. I took it for about a week and experienced no side effects and it really helped my complexion :).
amoxicillin is penicillin based, cephalexin has no penicillin in it at all, they are both used for infections.
hope this helps
Mark
Cephalexin is a prescription antibiotic that is licensed to treat a number of common infections. It is part of a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins.
Cephalexin is licensed to treat a number of conditions. Some uses include:
* Treatment of a bacterial infection, such as a:
* Respiratory tract infection (pneumonia, bronchitis, strep throat, or tonsillitis)
* Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
* Middle ear infection (otitis media)
* Sinus infection (sinusitis)
* Urinary tract infection (UTI)
* Irritation of the prostate (prostatitis)
* Skin infection, such as cellulitis, folliculitis, or impetigo.
The drug is not effective against any infection caused by a virus, such as the flu, stomach flu, or common cold.
amoxicillin:
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of different infections, including:
* Ear infections
* Nose infections
* Sinus infections (sinusitis)
* Throat infections, such as "strep throat"
* Urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as bladder infections or kidney infections
* Lower respiratory tract infections (such as pneumonia)
* Gonorrhea
* Helicobacter pylori infections in people with small intestine ulcers (when combined with other antibiotics).
Amoxicillin is approved for treating the above infections only when they are caused by certain types of bacteria. Not all bacteria will respond to amoxicillin. Also, bacteria have different resistance patterns in different regions in the country. This means that some bacteria may be susceptible to amoxicillin in certain parts of the country but not in others. Amoxicillin is completely ineffective for treating viral illnesses (such as the common cold or the flu).
It is important to note that a high percentage of people with mononucleosis ("mono") who take antibiotics similar to amoxicillin develop a skin rash. Therefore, amoxicillin is not recommended for use in people with mononucleosis.
Hope have been able to give you the answer?
Related topics
bacterial infection, cephalexin
Further information
- Cephalexin uses and safety info
- Cephalexin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cephalexin (detailed)
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