Effective antibiotics for pneumonia in adults

Pneumonia is an infectious disease in which the lungs are affected and fluid enters the alveoli. The main causative agent of pneumonia is bacteria (about 60% of cases). Viruses and fungi can also be the cause.

Symptoms of pneumonia:

• cough at first dry, then with sputum;
• dyspnea;
• chest pain;
• increased body temperature;
• sweating.

About half of pneumonia cases require hospitalization, and a third have serious complications. The main reason for the severe course of the disease is the delay in seeking medical help and improperly selected therapy.

At the first signs of the disease, it is important to consult a doctor. Only he can choose the right treatment that will allow you to endure a serious illness without any complications.

We have selected 10 inexpensive and effective antibiotics for pneumonia in adults, which are included in the standard of care according to clinical guidelines. It is important that the dosage and timing of treatment should be prescribed by the doctor individually.

List of top 10 best and inexpensive antibiotics for pneumonia according to KP

1. Amoxicillin

The drug belongs to the group of penicillins. The active substance is amoxicillin in various dosages (250-1000 mg). The drug is available in the form of capsules, tablets or granules for suspension. Eating does not affect its absorption in the body. Penicillins are first-line drugs for pneumonia, meaning they are always recommended first. Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that disrupts the synthesis of substances in the bacterial cell wall, which gradually leads to its death.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• urinary tract infections;
• some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Contraindications:

• allergic reaction to penicillins;
• Infectious mononucleosis;
• lymphocytic leukemia.

Carefully:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• serious kidney disease.

2. Ampicillin

The drug also belongs to the group of penicillins. The active substance is different – ampicillin. Available in the form of tablets (dosage 250 mg) and powder for the preparation of intramuscular and intravenous injections (which is an advantage in the stepwise therapy of pneumonia). The oral form is recommended to be taken 1 hour before meals.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• urinary tract infections;
• some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• some gynecological diseases;
• infections of the skin, connective tissue.

Contraindications:

• allergic reaction to penicillins;
• Infectious mononucleosis;
• liver failure;
• lymphocytic leukemia.

Carefully:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• serious kidney disease.

3. Amoxiclav

The drug of the penicillin group in combinations. The active substance is amoxicillin + clavulanic acid. Available in the form of tablets (in dosages of 250/500/875 + 125 mg), granules for suspension and powder for intramuscular and intravenous injections. Clavulanic acid, in addition to having its own antimicrobial activity, it enhances the action of amoxicillin. The drug is recommended to be taken immediately before meals in order to achieve maximum absorption and at the same time avoid unpleasant side effects from the gastrointestinal tract.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• urinary tract infections;
• some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• some infectious diseases in gynecology;
• prevention of infections after surgery.

Contraindications:

• allergic reaction to penicillins;
• Infectious mononucleosis;
• lymphocytic leukemia;
• renal insufficiency.

Carefully:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

4. Trifamox IBL

The drug also belongs to the group of penicillins in combinations. The active substance is amoxicillin + sulbactam. The drug is available in the form of tablets (250 + 250 mg and 500 + 500 mg) and powder for intramuscular and intravenous injections (which is preferable when prescribing gradual therapy for pneumonia). Sulbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Expands the spectrum of activity of amoxicillin. The activity of the drug does not depend on food intake.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• urinary tract infections;
• some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• gynecological diseases;
• lactation period

Contraindications:

• an allergic reaction to penicillins and other components of the drug;
• Infectious mononucleosis;
• lymphocytic leukemia.

Carefully:

• pregnancy;
• serious kidney disease.

5. Sumamed

The drug belongs to the group of macrolides. The active substance is azithromycin. The drug is available in the form of tablets (dosage 125-1000 mg), capsules, powder for intramuscular and intravenous injections. Macrolides inhibit protein synthesis in a pathogenic microorganism, which leads to its death. The drug is recommended to be taken 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after, in order to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• urinary tract infections;
• skin and soft tissue infections.

Contraindications:

• allergic reaction to macrolides;
• renal and / or liver failure;
• lactation period.

Carefully:

• pregnancy;
• liver and kidney disease;
• myasthenia gravis;
• taking certain drugs (antidepressants, warfarin, digoxin and others).

6. Macropen

The drug is also a group of macrolides. The active substance is midecamycin. Available in the form of tablets (dosage of 400 mg) and granules for the preparation of a suspension (they have the smell and taste of a banana). Macrolides are not first-line drugs, however, they are highly effective when it is impossible to prescribe penicillins (allergy, resistance). It is recommended to take the drug before meals.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• urinary tract infections;
• skin and soft tissue infections.

Contraindications:

• allergic reaction to midecamycin;
• liver failure;
• lactation period.

Carefully:

• pregnancy;
• allergic reaction to aspirin.

7. Vilprafen Solutab

The drug also belongs to the group of macrolides. Available in the form of dispersible tablets with a strawberry flavor at a dosage of 1000 mg. The active substance is josamycin. The advantage of the Solutab form is that the tablet can be dissolved in a glass of water and drunk. The bioavailability of the drug does not depend on food intake.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• urinary tract infections;
• skin and soft tissue infections;
• infections in dentistry;
• infections in ophthalmology.

Contraindications:

• allergic reaction to macrolides;
• serious kidney disease;
• lactation period.

Carefully:

• pregnancy.

8. Ceiling

The drug belongs to the group of fluoroquinolones. The active substance is levofloxacin. The drug is available in the form of tablets (250 mg and 500 mg) and powder for solution for intramuscular or intravenous injection. The group of fluoroquinolones inhibits DNA synthesis in the bacterial cell, and also causes changes in the cytoplasm, membrane and cell wall. Eating does not affect bioavailability.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• urinary tract infections;
• skin and soft tissue infections.

Contraindications:

• allergic reaction to quinolones;
• epilepsy;
• myasthenia gravis;
• pregnancy and lactation.

Carefully:

• liver and kidney disease;
• CNS diseases.

9. Suprax Solutab

The drug belongs to the group of cephalosporins of the 3rd generation. The active substance is cefixime. Available in the form of dispersible tablets at a dosage of 400 mg. Cephalosporins act on the cell wall, causing the microorganism to die. Bioavailability is practically independent of food intake.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• urinary tract infections.

Contraindications:

• allergic reaction to drugs of the cephalosporin group.

Carefully:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• serious kidney disease;
• elderly age.

10. Beauty

The drug belongs to the group of cephalosporins of the 2nd generation. The active substance is cefuroxime. Zinnat is available in the form of tablets (dosages of 125 and 250 mg) or granules for suspension (have a fruity odor). Like 3rd generation cephalosporins, 2nd generation drugs act on the microbial cell wall. Zinnat is recommended to be taken immediately after meals.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• urinary tract infections;
• skin and soft tissue infections.

Contraindications:

• allergic reaction to beta-lactam antibiotics;
• hypersensitivity to aspartame.

Carefully:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• serious diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract.

How to choose antibiotics for pneumonia in an adult

The selection of an antibacterial drug is carried out only by a doctor. Sometimes a specialist writes only the active substance in the prescription, then it becomes a task for the patient to choose the trade name of the drug. That is, there is one active substance, and there are a lot of manufacturers of pharmaceutical companies. And the task of each company is to attract a buyer (flavors, additives, packaging, form of release).

Basic rules for choosing an antibacterial drug:

1. Ideally, if the drug is original, not generic. It is the original drug that contains the patented ideal formula of the active substance.
2. The drug should not be very cheap. Otherwise, one gets the feeling that we pay only for a cardboard box.
3. If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, then you can choose granules for suspension or dispersible formwhich can be dissolved in a glass of water and drunk.
4. Do not rely on supplements in the preparation. It is better to choose a remedy with one active substance (which the doctor prescribed) and additionally purchase everything else (probiotics, prebiotics).
5. If you have allergies, be sure to see the composition and contraindications. Since substances (sweeteners for example) may be added that are not recommended for some people.
6. It is better to buy the drug for the entire course at once. Otherwise, then it may end up in a pharmacy, and it is not recommended to change the manufacturer during treatment.

Popular questions and answers

We discussed important issues related to antibiotic prescribing for pneumonia with therapist Tatyana Pomerantseva.

Sources:

1. Clinical guidelines “Community-acquired pneumonia in adults” 2021;
2. 2000-2022. REGISTER OF DRUGS OF RUSSIA® RLS ®