Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Azithromycin vs. Amoxicillin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Azithromycin (Zithromax) and amoxicillin (Amoxil) are both antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections, such as respiratory and skin infections. However, they belong to different medication classes. Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, while amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic. Azithromycin is typically taken once daily for 3 to 5 days, whereas amoxicillin is usually taken two to three times a day, depending on the infection. Azithromycin is available as tablets and a liquid suspension, and amoxicillin comes in tablets, capsules, chewable tablets, and liquid forms. Both medications can cause side effects like diarrhea and nausea, but azithromycin may also lead to stomach pain and QT prolongation, a heart rhythm problem. Amoxicillin can cause vomiting and rash. Azithromycin interacts with medications like antiarrhythmics, statins and warfarin, while amoxicillin can interact with warfarin and allopurinol. Both medications are available as generics, making them more affordable options.

  • Azithromycin (Zithromax)
    Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
  • Azithromycin (Zithromax)
    Amoxicillin (Amoxil)

  • Summary of Azithromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Summary for Macrolide antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Azithromycin (Zithromax) is a macrolide antibiotic. It's used to treat many types of infections in children and adults, including strep throat, sinus infection, and pneumonia. Azithromycin (Zithromax) is taken by mouth once daily. Typically, the length of treatment ranges from 3 to 5 days, depending on the type of infection you have. For convenience, azithromycin (Zithromax) also comes pre-packaged as Z-Pak. Some of the more common side effects of azithromycin (Zithromax) include diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea.

    Summary for Penicillin antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is a penicillin antibiotic that's used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as sinus infections, ear infections, strep throat, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). It's available as oral pills, a chewable tablet, and an oral liquid. Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is well-tolerated, but possible side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, and rash.

  • Indications of Azithromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Indications for

    Adults

    Azithromycin (Zithromax) can treat certain types of:

    •Sudden worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from a bacterial infection
    •Bronchitis
    •Sinus infections
    •Pneumonia
    •Strep throat
    •Tonsil infections
    •Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
    •Urethra or cervix infections
    •Genital ulcer disease (chancroid)

    Children

    Azithromycin (Zithromax) can treat certain types of:

    •Ear infections (ages 6 months and older)
    •Pneumonia (ages 6 months and older)
    •Strep throat (ages 2 years and older)
    •Tonsil infections (ages 2 years and older)
    Indications for
    •Upper respiratory tract infections (ear, nose, and throat infections)
    •Lower respiratory tract infections (e.g., pneumonia, bronchitis)
    •Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
    •Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
    •Helicobacter pylori infection (adults only)

  • Pros and Cons of Azithromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Pros and Const for Macrolide antibiotic
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth once daily
    •Treatment typically lasts only 3 to 5 days
    •Comes as a liquid; good option for people who've trouble swallowing tablets
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Might not be the best choice for people with severe liver problems or certain heart problems
    •Can cause stomach-related side effects, like diarrhea and stomach pain
    •Some bugs might be resistant to azithromycin (Zithromax)
    Pros and Const for Penicillin antibiotic
    Pros
    •Works well to treat many different bacterial infections
    •Can use for adults and children
    •Available in many forms (e.g., oral tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, liquid)
    •Liquid form comes in many different flavors to make it taste better
    Cons
    •Might need to take up to three times per day
    •Can cause stomach side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
    •Not the best option if you have severe kidney problems
    •Might not be able to take this medication if you've had a severe allergy to penicillin

  • Common Side Effects of Azithromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Common Side Effects for

    Adults

    •Diarrhea (4-5%)
    •Nausea (3%)
    •Stomach pain (2-3%)

    Children

    •Diarrhea (2-6%)
    •Vomiting (1-6%)
    •Stomach pain (1-3%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Diarrhea
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Rash

  • Warnings of Azithromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic and skin reactions
    •Liver damage
    •Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation)
    •Possible higher risk of death from heart problems
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Worsening of certain muscle problems (myasthenia gravis)
    •Doesn't treat syphilis
    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic and skin reactions
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Development of drug-resistant bacteria

  • Prices with our coupons for Azithromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Learn more about Azithromycin
    Learn more about Amoxicillin

Compare other Skin Infection and Ear Infection drugs

Augmentin vs AzithromycinAzithromycin vs AmoxicillinAzithromycin vs CephalexinAzithromycin vs CiproAzithromycin vs PenicillinCefdinir vs AzithromycinClarithromycin vs AzithromycinClindamycin vs AzithromycinDoxycycline vs AzithromycinErythromycin vs AzithromycinLevofloxacin vs AzithromycinTobramycin vs AzithromycinZymaxid vs AzithromycinAugmentin vs CephalexinBactrim vs CefdinirCefadroxil vs CephalexinCefazolin vs CephalexinCefdinir vs AmoxicillinCefdinir vs AugmentinCefdinir vs CefpodoximeCefdinir vs CephalexinCefpodoxime vs CephalexinCefuroxime Axetil vs CephalexinCefuroxime vs CephalexinCephalexin vs AmoxicillinCephalexin vs CeftriaxoneCephalexin vs ClindamycinCephalexin vs DoxycyclineCephalexin vs PenicillinCiprofloxacin vs Cephalexin
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.