Cephalexin is considered pregnancy category B, meaning that animal studies have not shown any teratogenic effects. It is considered generally safe in pregnancy. Cephalexin crosses into breast milk but is generally considered safe while breastfeeding. Amoxicillin is also considered pregnancy category B. Amoxicillin crosses into breast milk but is also considered safe while breastfeeding.
Cephalexin is a first-generation, cephalosporin antibiotic. It belongs to a bigger classification of antibiotics known as beta-lactam antibiotics. It is generally effective against bacteria involved in upper and lower respiratory tract infections, otitis media, mastitis, and skin, bone, and joint infections. Amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative antibiotic.
It is generally effective against bacteria involved in upper and lower respiratory tract infections, otitis, media, and skin infections. While cephalexin and amoxicillin are each beta-lactam antibiotics, they are not the same. Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic, and amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative. While they cover some of the same bacterial organisms, they each cover unique organisms.
There are many factors to choosing the most effective antibiotic for any infection. While one study showed that amoxicillin may be associated with more relapses of strep pharyngitis versus cephalexin, it remains in the treatment guidelines as the first-line treatment.
Cephalexin and amoxicillin are considered safe during pregnancy. There is no known harm to the fetus despite the fact that both drugs cross the placenta. While there is no contraindication to taking these antibiotics while consuming alcohol, patients should be aware that alcohol consumption may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. When dosed appropriately, both antibiotics are effective against their covered organisms.
The organism coverage of cephalexin makes it effective in some conditions that amoxicillin is not, including mastitis and bone and joint infections. Antibiotics begin working against the organism as soon as you begin therapy.
It may take several days before a patient begins to experience symptomatic relief depending on the type of infection. Other antibiotics, like cephalosporin, may be used when there is an allergy or if resistance is suspected. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. Cephalexin vs.
Amoxicillin: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you. By Kristi C. Torres, Pharm. Trials also were excluded if they involved antibiotics that had been withdrawn from the market. Results : Twenty studies involving 4, patients were reviewed. Fluoroquinolones included were ofloxacin Floxin , ciprofloxacin Cipro , fleroxacin not available in the U. Overall, fluoroquinolones were more effective than beta-lactam antibiotics for empirically treating SSTIs, but the difference was small Fluoroquinolones also were more effective in treating mild to moderate SSTIs.
However, both of these advantages disappeared when third-generation cephalosporins were excluded from the analysis.
There also was no difference between the antibiotic classes in the treatment of moderate to severe infections. Fluoroquinolones were no more effective than beta-lactam antibiotics in the treatment of abscesses and wound infections, nor were they more effective in treating patients hospitalized for SSTIs. Microbiologically, eradication rates of S. However, fluoroquinolones were more effective where gram-negative or anaerobic infections were identified.
No difference in mortality rates was found between the groups. Although most medication-related adverse events were mild and involved the gastrointestinal tract, fluoroquinolones were associated with a significantly higher rate of adverse events compared with beta-lactam antibiotics Because it contains clavulanate, Augmentin can treat some strains of bacteria that may be resistant to traditional antibiotics.
As a result, the drug may be more effective for a wider range of bacteria. Doctors may prescribe Augmentin to treat the same infections as amoxicillin. They may also prescribe it to treat infections that could be more drug-resistant, including:.
Doctors may also prescribe Augmentin for people who have recurring infections, such as UTIs or strep throat. Augmentin and amoxicillin may also alter the healthy growth of bacteria in the intestines. This may lead to a temporary imbalance in the intestinal flora. People who frequently use antibiotics may have a higher risk of these issues, because their gut bacteria may have less time to recover. According to the authors of a review , consuming probiotic foods after a round of antibiotics could help reestablish balance in the gut bacteria.
As a review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal notes, Augmentin and amoxicillin may also increase the risk of yeast infections in some people. These are fungal infections that need antifungal treatment. In very rare cases, some people may also experience seizures or low blood or platelet levels after taking these antibiotics. It is also possible to be allergic to these medications. A severe allergic reaction can lead to a dangerous complication called anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek emergency medical care. Also, Augmentin may lead to an overgrowth of bacteria called Clostridium difficile. This can cause severe diarrhea that requires treatment to prevent complications.
The United States Food and Drug Administration note that, while Augmentin has a low risk of toxicity, people who take it for a longer period should be under close supervision, as there may be a chance of damage to the kidney or liver.
Before taking any antibiotic, it is important to ensure that the infection is bacterial. It should be noted there are a few infections for which amoxicillin and Augmentin are prescribed equally:. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. The most common side effect of Augmentin is diarrhea. Some people may also experience nausea, vomiting, yeast infections, and rash.
If you have an infection and don't necessarily know which bacteria is causing it, it may seem to make sense to use an antibiotic that would kill the most bugs. However, doing that can cause major problems. Antibiotics used indiscriminately may destroy "good" bacteria along with "bad," thereby altering the body's natural flora and allowing even worse bacteria to proliferate. Another, even more pressing concern is that using broad-spectrum antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance.
When this happens, a few mutated bacteria may survive, some of which may be naturally resistant to the antibiotic you were taking. Because you didn't "hit the infection hard enough," these survivors now have the opportunity to multiply and become the dominant strain. As such, the next time you develop an infection, the antibiotic will not work anywhere near as well. If this happens with broad-spectrum antibiotic like Augmentin, you will be at greater risk of having multiple types of drug resistance.
With a "narrow-spectrum" antibiotic like amoxicillin, the consequence may be less severe. Whether you're prescribed amoxicillin, Augmentin, or another antibiotic, it's not so much the "strength" of the drug you should be concerned about; it's all about the safety, efficacy, and appropriateness of treatment. People are sometimes surprised, and even taken aback, when they are given amoxicillin for a serious infection such as pneumonia.
But in many cases that may be all that is needed to resolve the infection. If you don't believe that the antibiotic being prescribed is "strong enough," speak with your healthcare provider.
This is especially true if you have a new healthcare provider or don't see a healthcare provider all that often. If you've had recurrent infections in the past for which amoxicillin hasn't helped, let the healthcare provider know.
The more your healthcare provider knows about your previous antibiotic use, the better choices he or she can make. Looking to avoid getting the flu? Our free guide has everything you need to stay healthy this season. Sign up and get yours today.
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