Skip to main content

Medications for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, pharyngitis is caused by inflammation of the pharynx, which is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and the voicebox (larynx). Tonsilitis and pharyngitis can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Drugs used to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

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

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
amoxicillin 7.4 29 reviews for amoxicillin to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis 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
azithromycin 6.2 72 reviews for azithromycin to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis 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
Azithromycin Dose Pack 7.0 5 reviews for Azithromycin Dose Pack to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx B N
Generic name:
azithromycin systemic
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Amoxil 10 1 review for Amoxil to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx B N
Generic name:
amoxicillin systemic
Drug class:
aminopenicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cefuroxime 6.7 6 reviews for cefuroxime to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis 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
Zithromax 7.7 7 reviews for Zithromax to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx B N
Generic name:
azithromycin systemic
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
clarithromycin 5.9 54 reviews for clarithromycin to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis 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
cefdinir 4.5 13 reviews for cefdinir to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis 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
Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray 5.6 7 reviews for Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
phenol topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
side effects
cefixime 10 3 reviews for cefixime to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx B N
Generic name:
cefixime systemic
Brand name:
Suprax
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Penicillin VK 6.2 7 reviews for Penicillin VK to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx B N
Generic name:
penicillin v potassium systemic
Drug class:
natural penicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
penicillin v potassium 7.3 13 reviews for penicillin v potassium to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx B N
Generic name:
penicillin v potassium systemic
Brand name:
Penicillin VK
Drug class:
natural penicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
benzocaine / menthol 10 1 review for benzocaine / menthol to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis OTC N N
Generic name:
benzocaine / menthol topical
Brand names:
Cepacol Sore Throat, Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lozenges
Drug class:
mouth and throat products
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Ceftin 9.0 2 reviews for Ceftin to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx B N
Generic name:
cefuroxime systemic
Drug class:
second generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cefaclor Rate Add review Rx B N
Generic name:
cefaclor systemic
Drug class:
second generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
cefadroxil Rate Add review 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
cefpodoxime Rate Add review Rx B N
Generic name:
cefpodoxime systemic
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
benzocaine 9.0 1 review for benzocaine to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
benzocaine topical
Brand names:
Cepacol Dual Relief Sore Throat, Cepacol Fizzlers, Laryngesic
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Cepacol Sore Throat Rate Add review OTC N N
Generic name:
benzocaine / menthol topical
Drug class:
mouth and throat products
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
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
phenol 6.3 9 reviews for phenol to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
phenol topical
Brand names:
Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray, Assure Sore Throat, Cepastat Extra Strength, Cheracol Sore Throat, Mycinette Sore Throat Spray, Ora Relief Throat, Pain-A-Lay Gargle, Phenaseptic Cherry
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
side effects
Suprax Rate Add review Rx B N
Generic name:
cefixime systemic
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Biaxin XL Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
clarithromycin systemic
Drug class:
macrolides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Bicillin L-A Rate Add review Rx B N
Generic name:
penicillin g benzathine systemic
Drug class:
natural penicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cefprozil 7.3 3 reviews for cefprozil to treat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Rx B N
Generic name:
cefprozil systemic
Brand name:
Cefzil
Drug class:
second generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Alternative treatments for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis. 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 Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis.

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.