{"id":632096,"date":"2025-04-29T11:26:27","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T15:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632096"},"modified":"2026-01-28T13:50:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:50:02","slug":"antibiotics-for-yeast-infections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/antibiotics-for-yeast-infections\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take antibiotics for yeast infections?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a common misconception that antibiotics can treat vaginal yeast infections, despite being primarily intended for certain types of bacterial infections. However, this medication can trigger the overgrowth of yeast, which is why antifungals are the recommended medications for treating yeast infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can antibiotics treat yeast infections?<\/span><\/h2>\n

No, antibiotics cannot treat vaginal yeast infections. This medicine can actually cause the fungal infection to develop. \u201cA type of fungus causes yeast infections\u2014most commonly <\/span>Candida albicans<\/span><\/i>\u2014and antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, not fungi,\u201d explains Gail Clifford, MD, MMM, CPE, FACP, FHM, a board-certified hospitalist and medical consultant at ARRC LED in Orlando, Florida. \u201cSo, when someone takes an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, it might disrupt the body\u2019s natural balance and allow yeast to grow more freely, making the infection worse, not better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So, where does this misconception come from? According to Dr. Clifford, many vaginal infections share similar symptoms, such as vaginal discharge or itching, and some people assume that if antibiotics can work for one infection, it can work for another. \u201cAlso, many people have been prescribed antibiotics for bacterial vaginal infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the past, so it is easy to see how the lines get blurred,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can antibiotics cause yeast infections?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many people assume you can use antibiotics like amoxicillin for yeast infections, but these medications can actually trigger the fungal infection. According to Anthony Febres-Aldana, MD, an infectious disease specialist at UT Health in San Antonio, Texas, antibiotics can disrupt the body’s normal flora, which in turn affects overall health. \u201cThis creates the opportunity for some fungi to overgrow and take the space otherwise used by healthy bacteria,\u201d he explains. \u201cA common example in women is the overgrowth of <\/span>Candida<\/span><\/i> in the vagina that follows the use of antibiotics for a bacterial infection.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Healthcare providers may prescribe antibiotics to treat a range of medical conditions, including UTIs, strep throat, sinus infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Ultimately, regardless of the medication’s intended purpose, there is a high risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Antibiotics are not the only cause of yeast infections. Other <\/span>risk factors<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n