Doxycycline vs Amoxicillin: Choosing the Right Antibiotic

What is Doxycycline and its Common Uses?

Doxycycline is a widely used synthetic antibiotic that falls under the class of tetracycline. It is a broad-range medication, which means that it can help in treating a diverse spectrum of bacterial conditions and infections. Doxycycline is not a drug that was invented recently; it was approved for medical use by the FDA back in the 1960’s. Since then, it has become a popular choice of drug for treating bacterial infections worldwide.

Now you must be wondering why Doxycycline is referred to as a broad-spectrum medication? That’s because Doxycycline is a versatile drug and holds antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it important for use in treating infections and inflammatory conditions. Below, we have listed conditions for which you might be prescribed this drug:

Respiratory infections: It effectively manages bacterial infections, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinusitis, by inhibiting bacterial growth.  

Skin conditions: Doxycycline is used for managing skin conditions, such as rosacea and mild to severe acne, by suppressing enzymes that cause inflammation.

Sexually transmitted infections: Taking Doxycycline capsules within 72 hours of having unprotected sex can significantly reduce the risk of STIs such as chlamydia and syphilis.

Malaria: Doxycycline is used to prevent the risk of having malaria, especially when the Plasmodium falciparum parasite becomes resistant to other drugs. It is also used in treating malaria infection and can be taken in combination with other drugs.

What is Amoxicillin and its Common Uses?

Amoxicillin is a semisynthetic drug, which means that it is derived naturally and then chemically modified in a laboratory to improve efficacy, potency, and other properties. It is a beta-lactam antibiotic that has a good absorption rate and high bioavailability. Amoxicillin was introduced to the market in the 1970’s, and since then it has been commonly used for treating the following infections:

Ear, nose, and throat infections: Amoxicillin helps in managing infections associated with the ear, nose, and throat, such as otitis media, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis, by killing the bacteria.

Urinary tract infections: This drug works effectively in treating urinary tract infections against strains of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis.

Lyme disease: It also helps in treating Lyme disease by preventing the progression of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

Bacterial endocarditis: Amoxicillin is used as a preventive measure among patients who are at high risk of developing bacterial endocarditis.

Doxycycline vs Amoxicillin: How Do They Work Differently?

Doxycycline and Amoxicillin are both antibiotics that fight against bacteria to treat infections and inflammatory conditions. However, their working mechanisms are different from each other. Both of them aim to eliminate the bacteria from the system, but they have their own ways of doing it.

Doxycycline is classified as a tetracycline antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacteria from conducting protein synthesis, which is crucial for their proliferation and survival. It is highly lipophilic, making it easier to pass through the bacterial cell membrane. It begins by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, preventing aminoacyl-transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) from binding to the bacterial ribosome. This restricts the charged aminoacyl tRNA from reaching the messenger, preventing protein synthesis and eventually killing the bacteria. It also has anti-inflammatory effects that aid in reducing inflammation by blocking the release of inflammatory mediators.

Amoxicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that binds to the bacterial cell wall and targets the biosynthesis pathway that is important for maintaining the structural integrity of the bacterial cell wall. It binds irreversibly to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), bacterial enzymes crucial for cross-linking during cell wall development. Disrupting these processes results in a weak bacterial cell wall that cannot withstand internal osmotic pressure, leading to rupture and death of the bacteria.

Which one is more effective? Your Doctor Knows Best

Both of the drugs are known to have been a prominent choice in treating bacterial infections because of their effectiveness. Doxycycline can be more effective in some conditions, and Amoxicillin may be better in others. Which one would work best depends primarily on the bacteria causing the infection. Amoxicillin can treat a bacterial infection if the bacteria are not resistant to penicillin; if they are, Doxycycline will be more effective. Your doctor considers all of these factors when prescribing the antibiotic to you. Trust them and inform them about your pre-existing medical conditions, and if you are using any other medications.

Special Considerations Related to Age and Pregnancy

Amoxicillin is generally considered safe for all ages and is a preferred medication for treating infections in children. It can also be given to infants after making an adjustment to the dosage. Doxycycline, on the other hand, is not recommended for children below the age of 8 years as it might put them at risk of severe conditions such as Rocky Mountain fever or anthrax.

Similarly, Amoxicillin is safe to take during all trimesters of pregnancy and does not harm the infant while breastfeeding. However, Doxycycline should be avoided after the first trimester of pregnancy as it can cause discolored teeth in the fetus and may slow down bone growth.

Beware of Antibiotic Resistance

After you buy Amoxicillin capsules or buy Doxycycline online, your doctor will ask you to use the medication for a specified duration. This duration is set by your doctor after evaluating factors such as the severity of the condition, age, and how the drug is responding to the bacteria. Complete the full duration as directed by the doctor and do not quit the medication in the middle of the treatment. Premature discontinuation of an antibiotic can increase the risk of bacterial recurrence. If you stop taking the antibiotic before it is completely eradicated from your system, the bacteria might survive and become resistant to the medication.

Conclusion

Doxycycline and Amoxicillin are both powerful antibiotics. The choice between these two primarily depends on the specific condition being treated. They both work to eliminate the bacteria from your body, but with different mechanisms. One might be more effective based on the usage and the infection being treated. Consult with your doctor to ensure the use of the correct medication.

Trust your doctor, as they know what is best for you, and most importantly, do not quit the intake of any antibiotic without consulting your doctor.

Looking for a way to buy generic versions of antibiotics online at discounted prices. Place your order at CompleteOnlinePharmacy.com, and we will take care of the rest.