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.
