In general, the most common treatment for
strep throat is antibiotics. Not only do these medications decrease the chances for complications, but they also help decrease the severity and length of symptoms.
There are several types of antibiotics that can be used as a strep throat medicine. The most frequently prescribed is penicillin, which is effective, well tolerated, and inexpensive. Two options to receive the drug are as a shot or pills.
As in adults, the treatment of choice for
strep throat in children is oral penicillin. As an alternative, children may be prescribed
amoxicillin (
Amoxil®). The liquid form of amoxicillin is easier for children to swallow and can also help treat a coexisting middle
ear infection (otitis media), which commonly occurs in children with strep throat.
For people who are allergic to penicillin, a cephalosporin antibiotic, such as
cephalexin (
Keflex®), may be prescribed. Some other antibiotic alternatives to penicillin include:
(To learn about other medicines for strep throat treatment, click Strep Throat Antibiotics. This article describes the factors that may affect which antibiotic is most appropriate for your particular situation and provides a list of several medications used to treat this throat infection.)
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