Strep throat, caused by the bacteria group A Streptococcus, is a common infection that affects people of all ages. It can lead to a sore throat, fever, and discomfort. Treating strep throat typically involves antibiotics to eradicate the infection.
We present a list of the best strep throat medications along with their recommended dosages.
Medication Dosage
- Penicillin VK: 25-50 mg/kg/day (10-20 mg/lb/day)
- Amoxicillin: 25-50 mg/kg/day (10-20 mg/lb/day)
- Cephalexin: 25-50 mg/kg/day (10-20 mg/lb/day)
- Azithromycin: 12 mg/kg/day (5 mg/lb/day)
- Clarithromycin: 15 mg/kg/day (7 mg/lb/day)
Details
- Penicillin VK:
- Dosage (per kg): 25-50 mg/kg/day
- Dosage (per lbs): 10-20 mg/lb/day
- Penicillin VK is a widely used antibiotic for treating strep throat. The recommended dosage ranges from 25 to 50 mg per kilogram of body weight per day or 10 to 20 mg per pound of body weight per day.
- Amoxicillin:
- Dosage (per kg): 25-50 mg/kg/day
- Dosage (per lbs): 10-20 mg/lb/day
- Amoxicillin is another commonly prescribed antibiotic for strep throat. The dosage for this medication is the same as Penicillin VK, ranging from 25 to 50 mg per kilogram of body weight per day or 10 to 20 mg per pound of body weight per day.
- Cephalexin:
- Dosage (per kg): 25-50 mg/kg/day
- Dosage (per lbs): 10-20 mg/lb/day
- Cephalexin is an alternative option for treating strep throat. The recommended dosage is 25 to 50 mg per kilogram of body weight per day or 10 to 20 mg per pound of body weight per day.
- Azithromycin:
- Dosage (per kg): 12 mg/kg/day
- Dosage (per lbs): 5 mg/lb/day
- Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used when patients have allergies to penicillin-based antibiotics. The dosage is 12 mg per kilogram of body weight per day or 5 mg per pound of body weight per day.
- Clarithromycin:
- Dosage (per kg): 15 mg/kg/day
- Dosage (per lbs): 7 mg/lb/day
- Clarithromycin is another macrolide antibiotic commonly used as an alternative for patients with penicillin allergies. The recommended dosage is 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day or 7 mg per pound of body weight per day.
Conclusion
When dealing with strep throat, timely administration of appropriate antibiotics is crucial to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. The list provided above includes the best strep throat medications along with their respective recommended dosages.
However, before starting any medication, it is important to consult with a health care provider to ensure that the prescription and dosage of a particular drug is correct.