5 Antibiotics That Can Treat Strep Throat and Help You Feel Better Faster

Most of the time, a sore throat is caused by a viral infection. But strep throat is common, and it’s caused by a bacteria called group A Streptococcus. Children between 5 and 15 years old are most likely to get it. But adults can get strep throat too, especially if they live or work with children.

Strep throat often starts suddenly. A person may feel fine one day and develop a fever and throat pain the next. Strep throat can be painful and make it hard to eat, drink, or swallow. 

Strep throat will usually get better on its own after a few days. But without antibiotic treatment, strep throat can lead to serious health complications like kidney problems, neuropsychiatric conditions, or a heart condition called rheumatic fever. It can also lead to ear and neck abscesses or joint infections. 

Antibiotic treatment helps prevent these complications. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with strep throat, here are five antibiotics that can treat your strep throat.

1. Penicillin

Penicillin, the first true antibiotic, was discovered in 1928. Despite concerns of antibiotic resistance, penicillin can still be used to treat strep throat. Penicillin V comes as either a pill or a liquid (suspension). For strep throat, you’ll need to take penicillin either 2 or 3 times a day for 10 days. 

There are several benefits to taking penicillin for strep throat. Penicillin has a narrow spectrum of activity. This means that it targets the strep bacteria without harming much of the healthy bacteria that live in your gut. This lowers the risk of antibiotic resistance and other side effects like upset stomach or diarrhea. Another benefit is that penicillin is very affordable. 

Penicillin is also available as an injection called Penicillin G. You need only a single injection of penicillin to treat strep throat. Penicillin G can be a good option for people who have a hard time getting, taking, or storing medication. But injectable penicillin is more expensive and can be hard to find. It also causes injection site reactions. Because of this, most people prefer the pill or liquid forms.

2. Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic similar to penicillin and also comes in pill and liquid forms. It can treat strep throat and other common infections, like ear infections. Penicillin works just as well as amoxicillin for strep throat. Many people prefer amoxicillin for two reasons:

• It’s convenient. You only need to take amoxicillin 1 to 2 times per day for 10 days. So, if you have a hard time remembering to take medication several times a day (as many people do), you may prefer amoxicillin. 

• It tastes better. Amoxicillin liquid tastes better than penicillin liquid. The improved taste makes amoxicillin the better option for children and people who can’t swallow pills. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• When do you need antibiotics for a sore throat? Antibiotics can help treat bacterial infections, like strep throat. But a virus is usually the cause of a sore throat.

• Home remedies for strep throat: At-home remedies, like saltwater gargles, soft foods, and cold fluids, can help you manage symptoms of strep throat.

• Does your kid keep getting strep? Strep throat affects children more than adults, and sometimes it comes back. Learn about recurring strep and what you can do.

Keep in mind that amoxicillin is part of the penicillin family of antibiotics. This means that if you’re allergic to penicillin, you shouldn’t take amoxicillin because it can cause the same type of allergic reaction.

3. Cephalexin

Cephalexin is a common antibiotic that can treat many types of bacterial infections. It’s available as a pill and liquid. For strep throat, you’ll need to take cephalexin twice a day for 10 days. 

Common side effects of cephalexin include: 

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Stomach pain

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Headache

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Most cephalexin side effects are mild and should go away once you finish your prescription.

Cephalexin has a wider spectrum of activity than penicillin and amoxicillin, so it can contribute to antibiotic resistance. For that reason, cephalexin isn’t the go-to antibiotic for strep throat. But cephalexin is often used to treat strep throat for people who have a mild penicillin allergy and can’t take penicillin or amoxicillin. 

Cephalexin belongs to a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins. Other cephalosporins can also treat strep throat. If cephalexin isn’t available, healthcare professionals may prescribe a different cephalosporin, such as cefdinir (Omnicef).

4. Azithromycin (Z-Pack)

Azithromycin (Zithromax) is another common antibiotic that belongs to a class called macrolides. It comes as a pill or a liquid. Unlike other antibiotics for strep throat, you only need to take azithromycin, or a Z-Pak, once a day for 5 days. This shorter course and single daily dose make azithromycin an attractive option. But there’s growing antibiotic resistance to azithromycin, which means it may not always work to cure strep throat.

For this reason, azithromycin is usually reserved for people who can’t take penicillin, amoxicillin, or cephalosporin. People with severe penicillin allergies, or those who’ve had anaphylaxis after taking penicillin or cephalosporins, may be prescribed azithromycin. People with severe delayed reactions to penicillin may also be prescribed azithromycin. 

Clarithromycin is another macrolide antibiotic that can treat strep throat in people with severe penicillin allergies. But clarithromycin is a less popular option than azithromycin because it tends to cause more gastrointestinal upset.

5. Clindamycin

Clindamycin (Cleocin) is the final antibiotic that can be used to treat strep throat. It comes as a liquid or pill, and must be taken 3 times a day for 10 days. 

Clindamycin isn’t a commonly prescribed antibiotic for strep throat for several reasons:

• It can cause side effects like diarrhea and stomach upset. 

• The liquid form has a very strong taste, making it unpopular with children and people who can’t take pills. 

• The bacteria that cause strep throat are becoming resistant to clindamycin, which means it may not always work to cure strep throat.

Clindamycin is often a last-choice option. People who can’t take penicillin, amoxicillin, or cephalosporins may need to take clindamycin.

When do people start feeling better after starting antibiotics for strep throat?

Most people start to feel better 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotics for strep throat. But it can take 2 to 5 days for strep throat symptoms to go away completely. Make sure to take all doses of your prescribed antibiotic, even if you feel better after only a few days.

If your symptoms get worse or haven’t started to get better after 48 hours of antibiotics, you should see a healthcare professional right away.

Strep throat is contagious. You should stay home from work or school until the antibiotics have had a chance to work so you don’t pass the bacteria to others. You can return to work or school once your fever is gone and you’ve been taking antibiotics for 12 to 24 hours. 

What home remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) medications are recommended to treat strep throat?

There are no home remedies that can cure strep throat. If you have strep throat, taking a prescription antibiotic is the best way to reduce your risk of long-term effects, like rheumatic fever. 

That said, antibiotics don’t work right away. While you’re waiting for them to take effect, everyday actions like swallowing liquids or food can be pretty miserable. Here are some home remedies for strep that can help make your symptoms more manageable: 

• Use an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help relieve symptoms like fever and sore throat. 

• Gargle warm salt water. Gargling with salt water can help ease pain from a sore throat.

• Drink plenty of water. Cold fluids can slightly numb your throat and lessen discomfort.

• Eat soft foods. Soft foods are easier to swallow than hard or crunchy foods. So, foods like yogurt, oatmeal, and mashed vegetables will be gentler on your throat. It’ll also help to avoid acidic, spicy, and sour foods. 

• Use a humidifier. Dry air can irritate your sore throat, so adding moisture to the air you breathe can have a soothing effect.

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Written by:

Shiv Sudhakar, MD

Shiv Sudhakar, MD, is a fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America and works as a physician in California. He has co-authored over 10 peer-reviewed research articles and given 20 scientific presentations.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

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