{"id":12363,"date":"2020-06-23T09:31:54","date_gmt":"2020-06-23T13:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=12363"},"modified":"2026-04-16T13:40:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T09:40:15","slug":"azithromycin-vs-amoxicillin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/azithromycin-vs-amoxicillin\/","title":{"rendered":"Azithromycin vs. amoxicillin: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’ve ever had a sinus infection, strep throat, or another bacterial illness, there’s a good chance you’ve taken <\/span>azithromycin<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>amoxicillin<\/span><\/a>. Both of these antibiotics, which are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are commonly prescribed to treat various bacterial infections, but they work in different ways and have different uses, side effects, and costs. So, which one is better for you?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Main differences between azithromycin and amoxicillin<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAzithromycin<\/b><\/td>\nAmoxicillin<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nMacrolide antibiotic<\/span><\/td>\nPenicillin antibiotic<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand and generic<\/span><\/td>\nGeneric<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the brand name?<\/b><\/td>\nZithromax<\/span><\/td>\nAmoxil<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nTablets, suspension, injection, powder packet,<\/span><\/p>\n

eye drops (AzaSite)<\/span><\/td>\n

Capsule, suspension, tablet, chewable tablet<\/span><\/p>\n

Also: tablet, chewable tablet, and suspension in combination with clavulanic acid (amoxicillin-clavulanate) as <\/span>Augmentin<\/span><\/a>; in combination with lansoprazole and clarithromycin as generic Prevpac<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nZ-Pak: 2 tablets by mouth on day 1, then 1 tablet daily on days 2 through 5<\/span><\/td>\nVaries; example: 500 mg by mouth 3 times a day for 10 days<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\n5 days; varies<\/span><\/td>\n7-10 days; varies<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the main differences between azithromycin and amoxicillin?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Azithromycin<\/span><\/a> is a macrolide antibiotic, known by its brand name Zithromax. Zithromax is made by Pfizer. <\/span>Azithromycin<\/span><\/a> is commonly prescribed as a tablet, in the form of a Zithromax Z-Pak (a six-tablet, 5-day course of azithromycin) or <\/span>Zithromax Tri-Pak<\/span><\/a> (a 3-day course of azithromycin). Used in both adults and children, the dosage varies by indication. Other macrolide antibiotics you may have heard of include erythromycin and clarithromycin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amoxicillin<\/span><\/a> is a penicillin antibiotic known by the brand name Amoxil. It is most commonly prescribed as capsules or as a combination drug called Augmentin that also contains clavulanic acid (to prevent resistance). <\/span>Amoxicillin<\/span><\/a> is commonly used in adults and children, and the <\/span>dosage<\/span><\/a> varies by indication. (Unless noted, this article will focus on amoxicillin, not Augmentin.)<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that when prescribed an antibiotic, you should take it as directed and <\/span>finish the full course<\/span><\/a> of treatment, even if you start to feel better. However, if you have been taking an antibiotic for several days and feel worse or do not feel any better, contact your healthcare provider for guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conditions treated by azithromycin and amoxicillin<\/b><\/h2>\n

Azithromycin<\/span><\/h3>\n

Azithromycin is used to treat various bacterial infections in both adults and children. It is often used in people allergic to penicillin or need a shorter treatment course.<\/span><\/p>\n

Azithromycin may be prescribed for bacterial infections such as:<\/span><\/p>\n