{"id":16829,"date":"2020-11-10T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T14:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=16829"},"modified":"2022-05-09T14:06:22","modified_gmt":"2022-05-09T18:06:22","slug":"common-penicillin-drugs-in-november","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/common-penicillin-drugs-in-november\/","title":{"rendered":"See the most popular drugs on SingleCare in November"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the leaves fall and temperatures drop, prescriptions for penicillin drugs increase.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to SingleCare data, last November the most commonly filled prescriptions were penicillins<\/a>. In fact, they accounted for nearly 4% of the drugs filled.<\/span><\/p>\n

These <\/span>antibiotics<\/span><\/a> took the top spots:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Common penicillin drugs <\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Drug name<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Amoxicillin<\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Amoxicillin clavulanate potassium (brand name Augmentin)<\/td>\nGet coupon<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Penicillin V potassium<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ampicillin<\/td>\nGet coupon<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dicloxacillin sodium<\/td>\nGet coupon<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Why are penicillin antibiotics popular in November?<\/span><\/h2>\n

These medications treat bacterial (not viral) infections. In November, certain types of bacterial infection can become more prevalent. Late fall is the start of upper-respiratory tract infection (URI) season. Think the common cold, flu, sore throats, and sinus inflammation (sinusitis). While these conditions are often caused by viruses, they can lead to secondary bacterial infections, for which penicillins can be prescribed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime the body is infected with a virus, it tries to fight that virus by sending chemicals and \u2018fighter\u2019 cells to that area of the body to kill the virus,\u201d explains <\/span>Milner Staub, MD<\/span><\/a>, an infectious disease doctor and associate director of antimicrobial stewardship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. \u201cUnfortunately, there can be collateral damage to the surrounding body tissues, making them temporarily more susceptible to other infections, like bacterial infections.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amoxicillin, amoxicillin clavulanate potassium, and penicillin V potassium<\/span><\/h3>\n

These common penicillin drugs are used to treat some common bacterial infections, such as inner <\/span>ear infections<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>strep throat<\/span><\/a>, and bacterial sinus infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>The general rule is, in the infections listed above, when a bacterial cause is highly suspected or confirmed, in uncomplicated cases (which are the majority), <\/span>amoxicillin<\/span><\/a> [and, to a lesser degree, penicillin V potassium] is often recommended,\u201d Dr. Staubs says. \u201cAmoxicillin-clavulanate is recommended for cases that are unresponsive or are complicated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ampicillin and dicloxacillin sodium<\/span><\/h3>\n

While these penicillin antibiotics made SingleCare\u2019s top five list for November, they are far less likely to be prescribed than amoxicillin, amoxicillin\/clavulanate potassium, and penicillin V potassium. \u201cA<\/span>mpicillin oral is not as well tolerated in many patients compared to amoxicillin, so it\u2019s less used,\u201d says <\/span>Yi Guo, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, a pharmacist with Montefiore Health System in NYC. \u201cAnd dicloxacillin covers MSSA-associated infection only.\u201d MSSA is methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, a type of staph infection that is commonly found on the skin.<\/span><\/p>\n

When do you need an antibiotic?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s not always easy to tell when an infection is viral or bacterial\u2014even for healthcare providers. Sometimes there are signs, like pus draining from an ear, to indicate an inner ear infection is bacterial. In other cases, such as the flu and strep throat, specimens can be tested and a definitive diagnosis given.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But what if there are no tell-tale signs or tests? Your doctor will look at your medical history and symptoms\u2014especially how long they\u2019ve lasted\u2014to help pinpoint whether an antibiotic is needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA virus tends to run its course within 5-7 days,\u201d says <\/span>Tania Dempsey, MD<\/span><\/a>, a chronic disease specialist at Armonk Integrative Medicine in Purchase, NY. \u201cBut if after that time the patient continues to get worse, you have to make a clinical judgment and say, maybe there\u2019s a bacterial component here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What is antibiotic resistance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the drugs commonly used to treat them, thereby becoming \u201cresistant\u201d to the drugs. According to the <\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a> (CDC), each year 2.8 million people get an antibiotic-resistant infection and 35,000 people die because of it. And much of the problem stems from overuse and overprescribing of antibiotics, particularly for viral infections that are not responsive to antibiotic treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUncomplicated URI diagnoses that we know are frequently caused by viruses can be opportunities for providers to work with the patient to create a plan,\u201d Dr. Staub says. \u201cInstead of receiving an antibiotic, the patient gets prescriptions that can help reduce symptoms (if possible) and is given clear instructions about what to look for to indicate that the infection may be changing into one that does require antibiotics.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How to avoid needing antibiotics this month<\/span><\/h2>\n

Steering clear of antibiotics means steering clear of infections. Take these steps to avoid them:<\/span><\/p>\n