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The antibiotic amoxicillin has been shown to be ineffective for treating pneumonia
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Lower respiratory tract infections are among the most common diseases in developed countries. Although scientists and doctors believe that most of these infections are caused by viruses, there is no clear answer to the question of whether antibiotics are effective in combating these infections. This topic is hotly debated, and research in this area yields contradictory results.
The antibiotic amoxicillin, which doctors often prescribe for simple lower respiratory tract infections (such as bronchitis and pneumonia ), has been found to be generally ineffective in treating these conditions. A study by the University of Southampton and published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that the antibiotic was no more effective than a placebo, meaning it did not actually treat or relieve symptoms of pneumonia, bronchitis or other lower respiratory tract infections.
"Patients taking amoxicillin do not get better any faster, nor do they experience significantly better symptoms," says Paul Little, professor at the University of Southampton.
"In fact, using amoxicillin to treat respiratory infections in patients who are not suspected of having a serious illness such as pneumonia is unlikely to be helpful and may even be harmful. If you frequently take antibiotics that doctors prescribe for a variety of common illnesses, you may become susceptible to side effects such as diarrhoea, rash, vomiting and the development of resistance to these drugs," explains Professor Little.
The study involved 2,061 people with uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infections (without suspected pneumonia). The participants represented eleven European countries (the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia). Some of these patients took amoxicillin three times a day for a week, while others were given a placebo, i.e. a pill with no beneficial or harmful properties. Doctors checked the patients' condition at the beginning of the study and then monitored their symptoms every day.
There was no significant difference in the duration of disease symptoms in the first and second groups of patients. Even in older people (over 60 years old), the effect of taking antibiotics was minimal.
Worsening of existing symptoms and the appearance of new ones were recorded in 19.3% of patients taking a placebo. Among those taking an antibiotic, this figure was lower (15.9%), but those taking amoxicillin complained more about side effects of drug treatment, including nausea, rash and diarrhea (28.7% versus 24%). "The results of our study indicate that most people with lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia get better on their own, without the help of antibiotics. However, a small number of patients still benefit from amoxicillin, and now we need to find out what is special about this group of people," Professor Little concluded.
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