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

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
amoxicillin 7.2 26 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: amoxicillin systemic

Brand names:  Amoxil, Apo-Amoxi

Drug class: aminopenicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

azithromycin 6.0 68 reviews
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
Rx B N

Generic name: azithromycin systemic

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Amoxil 10 1 review
Rx B N

Generic name: amoxicillin systemic

Drug class: aminopenicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

cefuroxime 7.0 5 reviews
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 8.0 6 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: azithromycin systemic

Drug class: macrolides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

clarithromycin 5.5 45 reviews
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 4.6 11 reviews
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 5.0 6 reviews
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: phenol topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

Penicillin VK 7.5 6 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: penicillin v potassium systemic

Drug class: natural penicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

cefixime 10 2 reviews
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

Apo-Amoxi Rate Add review
Rx B N

Generic name: amoxicillin systemic

Drug class: aminopenicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Ceftin 9.0 3 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: cefuroxime systemic

Drug class: second generation cephalosporins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

benzocaine / menthol 10 1 review
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

penicillin v potassium 8.4 11 reviews
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

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

phenol 6.0 8 reviews
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 …show all

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

benzocaine 9.0 1 review
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 Dual Relief Sore Throat Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: benzocaine topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

penicillin g benzathine Rate Add review
Rx B N

Generic name: penicillin g benzathine systemic

Brand name:  Bicillin L-A

Drug class: natural penicillins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

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

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.

Learn more about Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

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.
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.

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