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Antibiotics for tonsillitis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Antibiotics are used for tonsillitis when it is not possible to relieve the inflammation using other methods, the temperature rises high, and the symptoms of intoxication of the body increase.
In these cases, the risk of complications to internal organs increases sharply, and the prescription of antibiotics becomes a justified measure - the benefits from them outweigh all the risks. Prescribing antibiotics can prevent the development of rheumatism associated with a previous sore throat. Just by examining the patient, it is impossible to make an assumption about what microorganism caused tonsillitis. Most often, the doctor prescribes an antibiotic that is effective against all common pathogens. Severe pain with unilateral damage to the tonsils, while the patient does not have a runny nose and cough - then streptococcus is "to blame". But if the picture is atypical, it is better to play it safe and ask the doctor to refer you for a bacterial culture, after which an antibiotic is prescribed. If the patient has previously suffered from rheumatism, it is better to immediately prescribe an antibiotic. If sore throat recurs about 4-5 times a year, it is better to think about removing the tonsils. The large size of the tonsils in itself, especially in children, is not an indication for their removal.
[ Tonsillitis Treatment Without Antibiotics
Tonsillitis can be primary or secondary. Secondary ones are the result of measles, diphtheria or herpes virus infection. If you are overcooled or live in a city where the air is polluted, or you have problems breathing through your nose, you are more likely to get acute tonsillitis than others. Bacterial waste products disrupt thermoregulation and heart function, which is why the temperature can rise to very high levels when you have a sore throat.
In the catarrhal form of tonsillitis, the tonsil damage is superficial, the temperature may be subfebrile. There is discomfort and pain when swallowing and severe chills. A person recovers even without antibiotics - compresses, irrigations and gargles, frequent sour drinks are enough.
General weakness and pain in the heart are characteristic of a more severe form of angina - lacunar. In the recesses of the tonsils, upon examination, you can see a white film-like content that is easily removed and does not bleed.
In follicular tonsillitis, the follicles rise above the surface of the mucous membrane. The course of the disease is severe.
If angina is not treated, purulent lymphadenitis, otitis, sinusitis, and rheumatism may develop.
Patients with acute tonsillitis are recommended to follow a diet with an increased amount of products containing vitamin C, drink a lot, and wear a cotton-gauze bandage on the throat. When the process subsides and the temperature drops, it is possible to visit the physiotherapy department of the clinic for warming up and UHF.
The tonsils play a very important role in the body. They perform immune, hematopoietic and receptor functions. With tonsillitis, the tonsillocardial reflex is always impaired and, as a result, the work of the cardiovascular system is impaired.
Acute tonsillitis can be catarrhal, lacunar, follicular and ulcerative. Tonsillitis can also occur against the background of diphtheria and typhoid fever, leukemia. Most often, the cause of tonsillitis is a virus (70%): rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza virus. Among bacteria - streptococcus, staphylococcus and Candida fungi. The trigger for the disease is intoxication and hypothermia.
Furacilin, boric acid, salt, and sage decoction are good for rinsing. During the day, be sure to wear a bandage on your throat.
Antiallergic agents and bifidobacteria are prescribed along with antibiotics to prevent dysbacteriosis.
Antibiotics for tonsillitis and acute sore throat are necessary in case of severe symptoms of intoxication and damage to other organs and systems, but they should only be prescribed by a doctor.
What antibiotics should be used for tonsillitis?
Antibiotics for tonsillitis are prescribed by a doctor taking into account the sensitivity of microorganisms to a specific drug, and not the same one for everyone, as is often the case here. Important: if the causative agent of tonsillitis is a viral infection, antibiotics are ineffective!
Amoxicillin is most often prescribed for the treatment of tonsillitis.
Amoxicillin is a bactericidal penicillin antibiotic. Amoxicillin is quickly and completely absorbed in the intestine. The dose is selected taking into account the severity of tonsillitis, a smear is taken beforehand to determine the type of pathogen. Adults and children over 10 years old are usually prescribed a dosage of 0.5 g three times a day.
Use with caution during pregnancy.
Antibiotics for acute tonsillitis
We warn you against unjustified, without consulting a doctor, self-treatment of tonsillitis with antibiotics. This may end up with severe reactions of the body to these drugs. Antibiotics for tonsillitis should be prescribed to you only by a doctor!
Let's consider the effect of the drug Cefadroxil on the body of a patient with acute tonsillitis.
Cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibiotic in tablet form. Its maximum concentration in the blood is reached one and a half hours after administration. Cefadroxil is excreted slowly, it is enough to take it once a day. The daily dose of Cefadroxil is 1-2 g. The duration of treatment is 10-12 days. Such unpleasant side effects as rash, dizziness, insomnia, vaginal candidiasis are possible.
Antibiotics for chronic tonsillitis
Antibiotics for chronic tonsillitis depend on the microflora that caused the disease. Antibiotics are prescribed during an exacerbation.
As an example, let's consider the antibiotic Cephalexin.
Adults are prescribed Cephalexin in a dosage of 1-4 g every 6 hours for a week. Side effects include dyspepsia, colitis, tremors, convulsions, and allergies. Allergic shock is possible. During pregnancy, the doctor carefully assesses the risks before prescribing the drug. The drug penetrates into breast milk; breastfeeding should be stopped for the duration of treatment.
Antibiotics for tonsillitis in children
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils. They are located in the oropharynx and are permeated with small pores - lacunae. Viruses and bacteria accumulate in the lacunae, and they begin to inflame and fester. The baby becomes irritable and whiny, cannot fall asleep, is lethargic. The disease begins acutely - in the morning the child was still cheerful, played, and by evening a very high temperature rose, regional lymph nodes became inflamed. Chronic tonsillitis often causes complications in the maxillary sinuses, children suffer from sinusitis, long-term debilitating rhinitis and otitis. Most often, the causative agent of tonsillitis in children is beta-hemolytic streptococcus.
What antibiotics are most often prescribed for children with tonsillitis? Penicillin, macrolide and cephalosporin.
Oxacillin is an antibacterial drug of the penicillin series that causes lysis of bacterial cells. The maximum concentration of the drug in the blood is observed half an hour after injection. The half-life is also half an hour. The drug is taken every 4-6 hours in equal doses. Skin itching and development of anaphylactic shock, nausea, diarrhea, oral candidiasis, yellowing of the sclera and skin, neutropenia are possible. Oxacillin is prescribed at 0.25 g-0.5 g one hour before meals. The daily dose for moderate infections is 3 g, for severe ones - 6 g. Newborns - 90-150 mg / kg / day, up to 3 months - 200 mg / kg / day, up to 2 years - 1 g / kg / day, from 2 to 6 years - 2 g / kg / day; the daily dose is divided into 4-6 doses. The duration of treatment with the drug is 7-10 days.
Macrolides include Erythromycin, an effective antibiotic against staphylococcal and streptococcal tonsillitis. It does not act on viruses and fungi, so it is important to clarify the pathogen. Erythromycin is suitable for a child with an allergy to penicillins. When combining the drug with sulfonamides, an increase in action is observed. A single dose for a child is 0.25 g. Reception - after 4 hours, an hour before meals. For children under 7 years old, the dose is calculated based on the formula 20 mg / kg. Possible side effects include nausea, diarrhea, jaundice.
Tantum Verde is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It has a pronounced analgesic effect. Tantum Verde in tablet form is dissolved in the oral cavity, one tablet three times a day. Tantum Verde spray is injected 4 times (4 presses) every 2 hours.
It is very important to treat acute tonsillitis correctly - if the doctor prescribed a "harmful" antibiotic, then it is justified! Vitamins and hardening play a big role in prevention - wipe the child with cold water, let him sleep in the fresh air in the summer.
Names of antibiotics for tonsillitis
For the treatment of tonsillitis, antibiotics of the penicillin group are most often used: Benzylpenicillin, Phenoxymethylpenicillin.
Benzylpenicillin - has a bactericidal effect on multiplying microorganisms. The drug is administered intramuscularly or intravenously. For upper respiratory tract infections, 4-6 million units are administered per day in 4 doses. A reaction in the form of urticaria and rash on the mucous membranes, angioedema, bronchospasm, arrhythmia, hyperkalemia, vomiting, and convulsions is possible.
Phenoxymethylpenicillin is an antibacterial drug for the treatment of acute and chronic tonsillitis of the penicillin group. In moderate cases, children over 10 years old and adults are prescribed 3 million units. The dose is divided into three doses. Children under 10 years are prescribed 0.5 - 1.5 million units in three doses. Stomatitis and pharyngitis are possible.
Antibiotics for tonsillitis should be prescribed with caution, first finding out what pathogen caused it.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Antibiotics for tonsillitis" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.