What is the difference between erythromycin and cephalexin

Amoxicillin has been shown to be active against a variety of bacterial organisms including Enterococcus faecalis , Escherichia coli , Haemophilus influenzae beta-lactamase negative , Helicobacter pylori , Proteus mirabilis , Staphylococcus sp. The sensitivity of these organisms allows amoxicillin to also be effective in treating many common types of infections including upper and lower respiratory infections.

Other uses include skin tissue infections, otitis media, and urinary tract infections. Sign up for Cephalexin price alerts and find out when the price changes! Both cephalexin and amoxicillin have commonly been used off-label for endocarditis prophylaxis. Patients with congenital heart defects or prosthetic heart valves are at an increased risk of developing an infection in the lining of their heart after dental procedures.

Prophylactic doses of antibiotics such as amoxicillin and cephalexin given prior to these procedures have been shown to decrease the risk of such infections.

The effectiveness of cephalexin or amoxicillin will vary with each bacteria type and each patient. With any sensitive bacteria, each drug may be effective so long as it is dosed appropriately at the correct intervals. The effectiveness of beta-lactam antibiotics are dependent upon the amount of time that free, non-protein bound drug is above the minimum inhibitory concentration MIC of the bacteria. Another factor in antibiotic therapy is antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria changes in response to an exposure to an antibiotic. The change is adaptive to allow it to survive in spite of the antibiotic. Repeated or overuse of antibiotics, as well as suboptimal dosing, may contribute to antibiotic resistance.

One study sought to compare the symptomatic relapse in pediatric patients with streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. This was done by comparing return visits and symptomatic complaints following each type of treatment. The study compared four treatment groups including amoxicillin and first-generation cephalosporins, including cephalexin. The study found that the incidence of symptomatic relapse was higher in the amoxicillin group than in the first-generation cephalosporin group.

The Infectious Disease Society maintains in its guidelines that amoxicillin is the first choice for group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Cephalexin is an acceptable alternative for patients with a penicillin-related allergy. Cephalexin is a prescription medication that is covered by both commercial and Medicare drug insurance plans. A typical prescription for cephalexin would be written for 28 capsules of the mg strength. Amoxicillin is a prescription medication that is also covered by both commercial and Medicare drug insurance plans.

Get the SingleCare prescription discount card. Cephalexin and amoxicillin have a similar list of side effects. The most common side effect of both medications is diarrhea. Other gastrointestinal side effects include nausea, vomiting, and gastritis. In rare instances, cases of pseudomembranous colitis have been reported. Tedizolid is a BCRP inhibitor and may increase exposure to BCRP substrates May increase the pressor effect of adrenergic agents including pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine.

Use caution when taken with antidepressants and other serotonergic drugs. Liver disease - no dose adjustment necessary Kidney disease - no dose adjustment necessary. Ophthalmic See conjunctivitis. Use azithromycin. Adults Bordetella pertussis treatment or postexposure prophylaxis - mg twice a day for 7 days CDC Endocarditis prophylaxis - mg 30 - 60 minutes before procedure penicillin allergic AHA H. Standard-release tablet and suspension may be taken without regard to food.

Extended-release tablets should be taken with food. See Biaxin PI for more. Topical See topical derm meds. Tablet E. Suspension E. Dosing is for erythromycin base. Azithromycin is the preferred agent in this age group. May take without regard to food mg of erythromycin ethylsuccinate is equivalent to mg of erythromycin base or stearate Erythromycin is a Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor Erythromycin is contraindicated with lovastatin and simvastatin Liver disease - use caution.

Kidney disease - erythromycin is mostly excreted in the bile. May take without regard to food After granules are reconstituted, they should be refrigerated and are good for up to 12 days Fidaxomicin undergoes minimal absorption and should not be used for systemic infections Liver disease - fidaxomicin undergoes minimal absorption.

Liver disease should not affect. Take with food. Food increases absorption. Manufacturer makes no recommendation. Kidney disease - has not been studied. Topical rosacea See topical derm meds. Pediatric Clostridium difficile - 7. May take standard-release without regard to food. Extended-release should be taken one hour before or 2 hours after meals. Potential for disulfiram-like reaction if taken with alcohol. Do not ingest alcohol during, or for 3 days after stopping metronidazole.

May take without regard to food Granules are sprinkled on applesauce, yogurt, or pudding. Mixture should be consumed within 30 minutes without chewing. Granules do not dissolve and are not meant to be dissolved in liquid Avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages and preparations containing ethanol or propylene glycol during treatment and for at least 2 days after completing therapy Liver disease - manufacturer makes no specific recommendation Kidney disease - manufacturer makes no specific recommendation.

Take with food to minimize stomach upset Tinidazole is a CYP3A4 sensitive substrate Potential for disulfiram-like reaction if taken with alcohol. Treatment failure was defined as persistence of lesions 8 to 10 days after initiation of drug therapy as determined by examiners blinded to the treatment therapies.

We conclude that S aureus is the most common cause of impetigo in children in our study population, that cephalexin is the most effective treatment, that erythromycin estolate is nearly equally effective and may be preferred on a cost-effectiveness basis, and that penicillin V is inadequate for treatment of this infection.

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Twitter Facebook. Penicillin remains the drug of choice for streptococcal skin infections. If the cure rates of the mixed streptococcal-staphylococcal lesions continue to decrease with penicillin, cephalexin and the other alternative antibiotics may assume a more important role in the primary treatment of these infections in the future.