
Infections caused by microbes like bacteria require treatment without much delay. If you decide to leave such infections untreated, they may result in near-fatal as well as fatal outcomes. Your caregiver is likely to administer antibiotic drugs like penicillin, amoxicillin, etc. to treat infections bacterial strands cause. These drugs are administered to treat a wide range of infections namely, nasal infections, soreness of throat due to infections, etc. But, what are the differences between penicillin and amoxicillin? It is important to know the differences prior to starting your treatment.
Infections bacteria cause are of many types. Most infections can be treated with the administration of antibacterial drugs known as antibiotics. These are also available through online drugstores.
What is amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is one of the commonly used antibacterial meds. It is available in various formats namely, tablets, capsules, pills that are chewable and as a suspension i.e., liquid form. No two individuals with bacterial infections are prescribed with the same dosage plan; your plan depends on severity of bacterial infections, your age, pre-existing disorders, if any.
This antibiotic drug has needful inbuilt resistance against stomach acids. This boosts the absorption level onto your blood stream. Amoxicillin can be used for treating throat, ear and nasal infections, eradication of a strand called Helicobacter pylori, respiratory conditions such as pneumonia or other respiratory tract infections. It is also known to treat skin-based infections as well as sinusitis and spells of rhino-sinusitis.
What is penicillin?
This is the first antibacterial med discovered by Dr Fleming in 1928. Penicillin-V is an enhanced version of the original form; this latest form is known to withstand gastric acids. It can be administered through the oral route. This drug is categorized under antibiotics of a narrow spectrum. This is mainly due to its effectiveness against gram-positive bacteria (especially of the aerobic types).
Penicillin can treat infections caused by bacteria belonging to the streptococci family. This drug may have no / limited effect on gram-negative forms of bacteria. It is also not administered for treating anaerobic bacterial strands.
What are the differences between penicillin and amoxicillin?
A major difference between these two meds is: amoxicillin is known to treat wide/broad spectrum of bacterial infections. On the other hand, the treatment range of penicillin is quite narrow. Another minor difference is on the side effects front: amoxicillin may cause rashes on your skin; this is not a symptom of an allergy though. Also, amoxicillin can also be used for treating genitourinary conditions, removal of H. Pylori-triggered infections and to treat acute spells of gonorrhea.
However, both these meds do belong to the same sub-genre of antibacterial meds. The side effects they trigger are mostly similar viz., discharge of watery stools and pain in your lower abdominal region often accompanied by vomiting and/or nausea. The good news about both drugs is their generic versions are widely available. This has a bearing on the cost of treating bacterial infections.
Standard dosage plan of antibiotics
The typical dosing is two (2) times each day. It is a good practice to provide an interval of twelve (12) hours in between doses. Your treating doctor may increase the dosage frequency too three times or more if your infection is progressing at a rapid pace. Those who took their doses of antibiotics at the same time of the day – every day – witnessed better results. Its liquid form needs to be shaken well and the chewable tablets must not be bitten or crushed inside the mouth.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.