Antibiotics for pneumonia include Zithromax (azithromycin), Biaxin (clarithromycin), and Erythrocin (erythromycin).
Azithromycin is often the first-line treatment since it is effective against many different microbes that can cause pneumonia.
Antibiotics treat pneumonia due to bacteria and some types due to fungi.They don’t treat viral pneumonia.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Adults with Pneumonia
Antibioticscan treat bacterial pneumonia.
They work by killing bacteria or rendering them unable to replicate.
Antibiotics won’t help you get better quicker if your pneumonia is due to a virus.
Hospitalized Adults
Adults who are hospitalized require treatment with different antibiotics.
These antibiotics include:
What is the strongest antibiotic for pneumonia?
The first-line treatment for bacterial pneumonia is often a macrolide such as azithromycin or erythromycin.
These drugs are effective against many of the different microbes that cause pneumonia.
In these people, penicillin can cause severe reactions like anaphylaxis.
Factors Determining Antibiotic Choice
Multiple types of antibiotics work in slightly different ways.
One course will usually be enough to cure your pneumonia.
Stay in touch with your healthcare provider to ensure your infection is cleared.
If you’re experiencing diarrhea while taking an antibiotic, consider taking a probiotic to support your microbiome.
Taking yourmedication as prescribed, especially for antibiotics, is incredibly important.
Even if you feel better, you must take the entire course.
This will make treatment more complicated.
If youre experiencing side effects, talk to your healthcare provider.
Only stop your medication if your healthcare provider tells you its OK to do so.
Side Effects
Antibiotics are serious drugs and can have some uncomfortableside effects.
These can include:
Tell your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any side effects.
Some side effects can be severe and life-threatening.
Antibiotics work by killing bacteria, but our bodies are full of bacteria.
There are more bacterial cells in our bodies than human cells.
But antibiotics act indiscriminately, killing any bacteria they can find, even good ones.
Ask your healthcare provider about any potential severe adverse reactions to watch out for.
One of the best things to do is to stay hydrated.
Chicken broth, electrolyte-enhanced beverages, and warm tea can be beneficial.
Cough symptoms can be managed by gargling saltwater or adding honey to your tea.
Sleeping on your stomach and using a humidifier can help ease difficulty breathing.
Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and breathing secondhand smoke when you have pneumonia.
How long does it take lungs to heal after pneumonia?
It can take a while before your lungs are completely healed after you’ve had pneumonia.
Summary
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial (and some fungal) types of pneumonia.
The prescribed antibiotic is based on the jot down of pneumonia, age, health history, and more.
You will often take the antibiotics for five to seven days.
Completing the entire course is essential.
Side effects may occur, which you should report to your healthcare provider.
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