Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Erythromycin vs. Amoxicillin

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

Key takeaways

Erythromycin (Ery-tab, E.E.S.) and Amoxil (amoxicillin) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, but they belong to different medication classes. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, while Amoxil is a penicillin antibiotic. Both medications can treat respiratory and skin infections, but erythromycin is also used for conditions like pertussis and sexually transmitted infections, whereas Amoxil is used for urinary tract infections and *Helicobacter pylori* infections. Erythromycin is available as oral tablets and suspension, while Amoxil comes in tablets, capsules, chewable tablets, and liquid forms. Erythromycin is typically taken 2 to 4 times a day, whereas Amoxil can be taken 2 to 3 times a day depending on the infection. Common side effects of both medications include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but erythromycin can also cause more serious side effects, such as liver damage and heart rhythm changes.

  • Erythromycin
    Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
  • Erythromycin
    Amoxicillin (Amoxil)

  • Summary of Erythromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Summary for Macrolide antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Erythromycin is an antibiotic that's used to treat a variety of infections caused by bacteria, including certain skin and respiratory infections. The dosage depends on the specific infection you're using it for. The most common side effects are related to the stomach, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Erythromycin comes in two forms that are taken by mouth: oral tablets and an oral suspension.

    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 Erythromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Indications for
    •Respiratory infections (including upper respiratory tract infection and lower respiratory tract infection)
    •Listeria infection
    •Skin infections
    •Pertussis (whooping cough)
    •Diphtheria infection
    •Intestinal amebiasis
    •Sexually-transmitted infections, STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis)
    •Legionnaires’ Disease
    •Prevention of rheumatic fever
    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 Erythromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Pros and Const for Macrolide antibiotic
    Pros
    •Treats many types of infections
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •EES is available as an oral tablet or oral suspension
    Cons
    •Commonly causes nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach upset
    •Interacts with many medications
    •Has to be taken multiple times a day
    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 Erythromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Stomach pain
    •Diarrhea
    •Anorexia
    Common Side Effects for
    •Diarrhea
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Rash

  • Warnings of Erythromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Liver damage
    •Life-threatening changes in your heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
    •Syphilis in infants
    •Severe diarrhea
    •Interactions with other medications
    •Worsening of myasthenia gravis
    •Intestinal blockage in babies
    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic and skin reactions
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Development of drug-resistant bacteria

  • Prices with our coupons for Erythromycin vs. Amoxicillin

    Learn more about Erythromycin
    Learn more about Amoxicillin

Compare other Skin Infection and Urinary Tract Infection drugs

Erythromycin vs AmoxicillinErythromycin vs AzithromycinErythromycin vs ClindamycinTobramycin vs ErythromycinAmoxicillin vs PenicillinAugmentin vs AmoxicillinAugmentin vs AzithromycinAzithromycin vs AmoxicillinAzithromycin vs CephalexinAzithromycin vs CiproAzithromycin vs PenicillinBactrim vs AmoxicillinBactrim vs ClindamycinCefdinir vs AmoxicillinCefdinir vs AzithromycinCefdinir vs ClindamycinCephalexin vs AmoxicillinCephalexin vs ClindamycinClarithromycin vs AzithromycinClindamycin vs AugmentinClindamycin vs AzithromycinClindamycin vs MetronidazoleClindamycin vs PeroxideDoxycycline Hyclate vs AmoxicillinDoxycycline vs AzithromycinLevofloxacin vs AzithromycinMetronidazole vs AmoxicillinNitrofurantoin vs AmoxicillinTobramycin vs AzithromycinZymaxid vs Azithromycin
View More

Browse medications

View All

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