Strep Throat - Penicillin vs Z-Pak

Sunil K Sood MD
Chief of Pediatric Infectious Disease
Schneider Children's Hospital
www.DrMDK.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• drmdk
• azithromycin
• throat
• strep
• zpak
• penicillin

[datzfast]

in my experience only about half of strep a infections are susceptible to zithromax.

the only time it should be a drug of choice for strep throat is if the patient is allergic to

penicillin and even then a culture should be taken to prove that it is susceptible.

[drmdk]

Excellent comment

DrMDK

[Rizzy55]

You have to use your brain and not your paranoid emotions when dealing with any subject.

Which would you rather take. Penicillin 4 times a day fo 10 days--thats 40 pills

or 5 pills in 4 days? Its a no brainer. Many of us have had our somachs ripped apart by consuming so much antibiotics

So there is some fanatical bias being used by the questioner. No one is saying he has no point--but he just doesnt seem to comprehend that almost no one completes the full course of Pen-

[drmdk]

Z Pack is 40% resistant to strep infection

I want an antibiotic that works!

DrMDK

[5954ldydi]

@Rizzy55 Yep it is a NO Brainer! What good does medication do if you are not going to take the proper dose? I have tested positive for strep almost every time I have had a sore throat for more than 4 days and the Zpack got rid of the infection everytime. Yes it cost more but I can deal with the double dose the first day then a single dose the remaining days -with no problem. With penicillin I am sure to miss a dose here and there and I never finish the medication unless I feel like I am dying

[5954ldydi]

Dr. Sood is right! I am not sure about other people but I prefer the once daily dosing with anti-biotics like the zpack. My stomach gets upset when I have to take an anti-biotic 4 times daily. I do not mind paying more $ for the once daily dosing anti-biotics because I know I will take ALL my medication and I can take a dose before bedtime to get around the sick stomach feeling during the daytime hours. Although I get better results with penicillin I usually skip a dose & NEVER finish all of it

[Drkyle7824]

when i have strep throat they give me penicillin and it tastes like shit everytime.. and when i release gas or liquids from my body it smells like penicillin.. fml.. lol i thought i was done with strep throat until last yr. now it nt stop showing up lol..

[lAMNOTGOOMBA]

>Had strep throat, positive culture

>Doctor says antibiotics.

>I'm allergic to beta-lactams

>Get prescription for azithromycin

>Take it

>Get better

>Not a single fuck was given.

[quack10]

I got a horrible sore throat this past Saturday night 9//24/11. I woke up with worse sore throat plus 102 fever on Sunday. Went to urgent care. I am allergic to PENNICILLIN. Dr, wrote me a Zpack scrip. Monday was hell. Got little better on Tues. Wednesday, just fatigue and low grade fever in morning. Today, Thurs, Fell 99% better. Took last pill today. For me ZPACK worked!!!!

[khrystal1968]

That z pak gives me major diarrhea.

[Ilovewyatt01]

Z-pac should never written for Strep. Biaxin is the second line drug for Strep, if Penicillin cant be used.

[gurugoogly2]

Can strep infection cause pain in the groin and armpit lymph nodes? I got a throat swab done and have a moderate growth of group A beta haemolytic strep.

Apart from the other symptoms can strep cause pain in the groin and armpit lymph nodes?

[carley803]

I can't take pencillin. I'm allergic. I get hives. and right now I have strep throat

[phoenixclk]

@Rizzy55 and this comes from your vast experience and expertise in medical and well as microbial studies? If you don't complete a full coarse of penicillin don't sit wonder why you're still sick. Penicillin is also less expensive.