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Medicines & Antibiotics for Skin Infections

Other names: Skin Infection; Soft Tissue Infection; Staph Skin Infection

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 19, 2024.

The following are common oral antibiotic choices for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs): penicillins (eg, amoxicillinpenicillin V, augmentin, dicloxacillin), cephalosporins (such as cephalexin, cefdinir), clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, minocycline, or linezolid. Common injectable antibiotics for SSTIs include vancomycin, daptomycin, or telavancin.

Drugs used to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
cephalexin 6.3 149 reviews for cephalexin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cephalexin systemic
Brand name:
Keflex
Drug class:
first generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
doxycycline 6.0 54 reviews for doxycycline to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Brand names:
Vibramycin, Doxy 100, Monodox, Alodox, Doryx, Doryx MPC, Oraxyl
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
clindamycin 5.9 106 reviews for clindamycin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
clindamycin systemic
Brand names:
Cleocin, Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Pediatric, Cleocin Phosphate
Drug class:
lincomycin derivatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Keflex 6.4 30 reviews for Keflex to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
cephalexin systemic
Drug class:
first generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
amoxicillin 5.5 6 reviews for amoxicillin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin systemic
Brand name:
Amoxil
Drug class:
aminopenicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Augmentin 5.7 34 reviews for Augmentin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic
Drug class:
beta-lactamase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Amoxil 9.0 1 review for Amoxil to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin systemic
Drug class:
aminopenicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
ciprofloxacin 6.0 7 reviews for ciprofloxacin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue 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
amoxicillin / clavulanate 5.8 53 reviews for amoxicillin / clavulanate to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin / clavulanate systemic
Brand names:
Augmentin, Amoclan, Augmentin XR
Drug class:
beta-lactamase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
minocycline 3.1 12 reviews for minocycline to treat Skin or Soft Tissue 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
Azithromycin Dose Pack 10 1 review for Azithromycin Dose Pack to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
azithromycin systemic
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Cipro 5.5 2 reviews for Cipro to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx C N
Generic name:
ciprofloxacin systemic
Drug class:
quinolones and fluoroquinolones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
levofloxacin 3.2 19 reviews for levofloxacin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx C N
Generic name:
levofloxacin systemic
Brand name:
Levaquin
Drug class:
quinolones and fluoroquinolones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
metronidazole 5.1 12 reviews for metronidazole to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N X
Generic name:
metronidazole systemic
Brand names:
Flagyl, Flagyl 375, Flagyl IV, Likmez
Drug class:
amebicides, miscellaneous antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
azithromycin 5.9 9 reviews for azithromycin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue 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
cefdinir 6.0 11 reviews for cefdinir to treat Skin or Soft Tissue 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
dicloxacillin 6.8 6 reviews for dicloxacillin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
dicloxacillin systemic
Brand names:
Dycill, Dynapen
Drug class:
penicillinase resistant penicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
erythromycin 5.6 11 reviews for erythromycin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N X
Generic name:
erythromycin systemic
Brand names:
E.E.S. Granules, Ery-Tab, Eryc, EryPed, Erythrocin, Erythrocin Lactobionate, PCE Dispertab
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Flagyl 4.5 4 reviews for Flagyl to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N X
Generic name:
metronidazole systemic
Drug class:
amebicides, miscellaneous antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
clarithromycin 4.2 52 reviews for clarithromycin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue 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
Levaquin 3.0 9 reviews for Levaquin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx C N
Generic name:
levofloxacin systemic
Drug class:
quinolones and fluoroquinolones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Vibramycin 7.0 1 review for Vibramycin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Zithromax 7.0 3 reviews for Zithromax to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
azithromycin systemic
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cleocin 3.0 3 reviews for Cleocin to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
Rx B N
Generic name:
clindamycin systemic
Drug class:
lincomycin derivatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
meropenem 8.0 1 review for meropenem to treat Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
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

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

Alternative treatments for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Skin or Soft Tissue 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 or Soft Tissue 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.