Antibiotics for pharyngitis: list of effective drugs

Antibiotic therapy is often the only way to improve the well-being of a patient with pharyngitis. After the first dose, medications begin to destroy infectious pathogens of bacterial origin. Their removal from the respiratory tract helps eliminate an obsessive, debilitating cough, painful sensations in the throat, and fever. Quick treatment of pharyngitis with antibiotics in adults and children helps to avoid complications. But if the recommendations in the annotation are not followed or used inappropriately, the risk of developing adverse reactions increases. Therefore, they are used after a series of biochemical studies and a thorough examination of the patient.

What is pharyngitis?

This is an acute or chronic inflammatory pathology that affects the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall. The clinical picture includes a sore throat, a feeling of a “lump” and a sore throat that gets worse when swallowing, a dry cough, and an increase in temperature. The disease is characterized by: a relatively short incubation period, acute onset, intoxication, development against the background of infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In its acute form it manifests itself as follows:

Unpleasant sensations, burning and dryness in the nasopharynx.
Sore and sore throat.
Increased pain when swallowing.
Irradiation (spread) of pain into the ear.
Low-grade body temperature - 37.1-38.0 °C.
Nasality.
Headaches.
General malaise.

If left untreated, inflammation becomes chronic. Patients complain of rawness, soreness or a sensation of a foreign body in the throat, pain when swallowing, accumulation of thick mucous discharge in the throat, which causes a constant desire to cough up.

Is it always necessary to take antibiotics for ARVI?

Fortunately, no. More than half of cases of pharyngitis are caused by viruses, and the fight against them comes down to symptomatic therapy.

Treatment of pharyngitis without antibiotics includes:

detoxification therapy - plenty of warm drinks;
taking antipyretics (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen) when the temperature rises;
gargling with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory solutions;
use of lozenges, lozenges, sprays and gargles.

In exceptional cases, when the body cannot cope with the infection, the doctor may prescribe special antiviral drugs (Remantadine, Tamiflu, Relenza). Treatment of pharyngitis with antibiotics in this case is not only useless (since these drugs do not act on the virus) but is also fraught with the development of intestinal dysbiosis and other complications.

Pharyngitis and antibiotics are combined only if the former is caused by bacterial flora. A doctor can reliably determine this, but you can assume that the cause of the disease was the activity of microbes.

Signs of bacterial pharyngitis:

gradual onset of the disease with mild malaise, weakness, increased body temperature; then a sore throat and sore throat develop;
enlargement and tenderness of the cervical lymph nodes;
body temperature remains at 38-38.5 degrees for a long time;
upon examination, the mucous membrane of the pharynx is bright red, swollen, white or yellow purulent deposits and areas of death of a different color from the rest of the mucous membrane are possible.

Note! A sore throat is a sign of many diseases, not just pharyngitis. Therefore, if it occurs frequently, it is advisable to consult a doctor to rule out a serious pathology.

Also, at the discretion of the doctor, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent bacterial infections of the pharynx for:

sore throat or exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis;
high risk of developing pneumonia;
acute simple or obstructive bronchitis;
purulent otitis;
spread of infection to the sinuses, development of sinusitis, sinusitis;
an increase in body temperature above 39.5 °C, lasting more than two days in a row;
low-grade fever (37.0-38.0 degrees) for 5-6 days or more;
protracted (more than a month) course of a cold.

Why is pharyngitis dangerous?

Injury to the pharynx caused by streptococci can lead to the development of a peritonsillar abscess. This is the name for acute purulent inflammation of the peri-almond tissue, manifested by unilateral painful sensations of a “tearing” nature, aggravated by swallowing. At the same time, salivation increases, a tonic spasm of the masticatory muscles and a pungent odor from the mouth occur.

Especially dangerous is purulent pharyngitis, in which pathological exudate is formed. In children and weakened patients, it is severe, accompanied by an increase in body temperature and requires immediate medical attention. The risk of spread of the infectious-inflammatory process to nearby organs with the subsequent occurrence of laryngitis and tracheitis increases.

If the pathology has developed due to the introduction of group A b-hemolytic streptococcus into the respiratory tract, this can lead to rheumatism. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory infectious-allergic lesion mainly of the joints, heart and blood vessels. The most unfavorable from a prognostic point of view is the progressive course of rheumatic carditis.

Causes

The disease develops after the penetration of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and, less commonly, activation of opportunistic fungi into the respiratory tract. It occurs more often against the background of inflammatory and non-inflammatory pathologies of the paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx. As well as decreased immunity, intestinal dysbiosis, osteomyelitis, chronic tonsillitis, and the presence of carious teeth. Viral pharyngitis is usually caused by adenoviruses, enteroviruses, bacterial - staphylococci, streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae. Non-infectious inflammation occurs under the influence of the following factors:

Mechanical damage to the pharyngeal mucosa.
Tobacco smoke.
Alcohol abuse.
Air pollution.
Hypothermia.
Burns of the respiratory tract.

The risk group includes people who regularly overstrain their vocal apparatus. There have been cases of inflammatory damage to the pharynx with constant consumption of foods rich in spices, spices, and salt.

Indications for the use of antibiotics for the treatment of pharyngitis

Inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes of the pharynx often appear due to viral infection. Antibiotics for pharyngitis are powerless against viruses. They are useful for complications: when the throat begins to be attacked by pathogenic bacteria, the acute form of the disease passes into the chronic stage.

The inflammatory process spreads to neighboring areas of the throat, and bacterial sore throat develops.

The unsystematic use of antibacterial drugs at the initial stage of minor inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa is dangerous.

The human immune defense immediately becomes involved in the fight against pathogenic viruses, and antibiotics interfere with this process, killing not only harmful, but also beneficial microorganisms that live in saliva and mucous membranes.

In addition, antibacterial drugs are powerless against viruses; they can only destroy pathogenic bacterial flora. Therefore, a doctor can prescribe an antibiotic for pharyngitis only in the following cases:

For the prevention of bacterial sore throat with extensive damage to the mucous membranes of the throat and mouth.
If you are convinced that tonsillitis, bacterial laryngitis or stomatitis develops against the background of pharyngitis.
If the inflammatory process does not stop for more than 3 weeks.
If it is suspected that pathogens descend along the branches of the respiratory tract, tracheitis, bronchitis, and the development of pneumonia are possible.
If a person exhibits symptoms of purulent otitis media, sinusitis.

In chronic forms of pharyngitis, bacterial infection of the mucous membranes of the pharynx is almost always observed; only antibiotics help get rid of prolonged relapses.

Signs of the development of bacterial infections are stable low-grade and high fever that does not decrease for more than 5 days, so with such a symptom, the doctor will definitely prescribe antibiotics.

In what cases is an antibiotic used?

Antibacterial agents are included in therapeutic regimens for sudden increases in body temperature above subfebrile levels. The indication for their use is a pathological change in blood composition. Often, when the immune system is weakened, yeast-like fungi are activated. To destroy them, it is practiced to use a combination of antibacterial and antimycotic agents (Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Ketoconazole). Treatment of pharyngitis with antibiotic drugs in adults and children is performed when the following symptoms :

Viscous discharge during expectoration with a greenish or brown tint.
Shortness of breath.
Exhausting cough.
Lethargy, drowsiness, apathy.

They are prescribed when pathogenic flora is detected based on culture results and in case of protracted, severe course of the disease. One of the main indications is the addition of a secondary bacterial infection, its descent through the respiratory tract towards the lungs.

When is taking antibiotics justified?

A sore throat is most often caused by pathogens such as viruses. Signs of the disease begin to appear within a few hours after infection. The patient complains of severe pain in the throat when swallowing, fever and general malaise. In such cases, treatment with antibiotics is not carried out. This group of agents is ineffective against viruses. Taking antibacterial drugs can only lead to a deterioration in the general condition and weakening of the immune system.

If drug therapy is chosen incorrectly or medication was started late, then a secondary infection occurs. The bacterial flora is activated gradually, and therefore the clinical picture is often washed away. Temperatures rise to 37.5 degrees.

Antibiotics for pharyngitis are prescribed when the disease is accompanied by complications in neighboring organs. They are prescribed only by a doctor after the results of the examination.

Treatment of pharyngitis with antibiotics is indicated for:

danger of pneumonia;
exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis;
obstructive lesions of the bronchi;
sinusitis or sinusitis;
temperature that does not subside for more than 3 days;
purulent otitis;
long-term, low-grade inflammation in the throat area.

At the initial stage of the disease, you should try to cure pharyngitis without antibiotics. There are several effective ways:

compresses on the neck;
steam and nebulizer inhalations;
hot foot baths;
maintaining vocal rest;
drinking plenty of fluids. Drinks should be warm and not irritate the throat.

In some cases, medications may be required in the form of:

lozenges, lozenges and sprays with antiseptic and analgesic effects;
antiviral agents: Remantadine, Arbidol, Kagocel;
antipyretic drugs based on paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Only the doctor decides which antibiotics to use for pharyngitis based on the symptoms, age of the patient, course of the disease and the presence of complications.

With purulent otitis.

Antibiotics for the treatment of pharyngitis

Before antibiotic therapy, a number of biochemical studies are carried out. They are necessary to identify the type of bacteria and their sensitivity to drugs. But sometimes you have to wait several days for test results. In such cases, patients are prescribed broad-spectrum drugs. Doctors prefer products with the following properties :

Completely absorbed by mucous membranes.
Do not cause tissue damage at injection sites.
They remain in the bloodstream and in areas of inflammation for a long time.
Maintains therapeutic levels in the bloodstream for a long time.
They do not have serious side effects.

After receiving data from biochemical studies, therapeutic regimens are adjusted. They include targeted antibacterial agents. They specifically and selectively eliminate precisely those bacteria that are found in the biomaterial.

Antibiotics for pharyngitis in adults

The duration of the therapeutic course depends on the severity of the symptoms. Usually, a week is enough to completely eliminate pathogenic bacteria, but if there is a risk of complications, this period increases to 10-14 days. How is pharyngitis treated in adults, what antibiotics:

Lincosamides: Clindamycin, Lincomycin.
Semi-synthetic penicillins: Amoxicillin (Flemoxin), Ampicillin, Oxacillin.
Macrolides: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin.
Cephalosporins of all generations: Cefotaxime, Cephalexin, Cefixime, Cefazolin.

Most infectious agents have not yet developed resistance to them. The ingredients accumulate in the respiratory system in therapeutic concentrations, immediately destroying pathogens.

Antibiotics for pharyngitis in children

As a result of frequent, inappropriate use of antibacterial drugs, most infectious pathogens have developed resistance to them. Therefore, semisynthetic penicillins protected by clavulanates are mainly used in pediatrics:

Flemoclav.
Amoxiclav.
Augmentina.
Panclave.

It contains two ingredients - Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. The last component does not have therapeutic properties. Inert clavulanic acid prevents bacterial cells from producing specific enzymes - the cause of microbial resistance.

Antibiotics for the treatment of pharyngitis in children are produced in the form of traditional and dispersible tablets, powders for the preparation of suspensions. In severe forms of the disease, cephalosporins are used in the form of solutions for intramuscular administration: Ceftriaxone, Cefazolin, Cefotaxime. All of the above drugs provoke dysbacteriosis. After completing the therapeutic course, the doctor prescribes eubiotics to restore the intestinal microflora: Hilak forte, Bifiform, Enterol, Acipol.

Antibiotic throat spray for pharyngitis

Antibacterial sprays are easy to dispense and use. There are few of them in pharmacies. Aerosols are mainly sold, the therapeutic effects of which are based on antiseptic components. Such ingredients can inhibit the growth and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria, suppressing inflammatory processes. But antiseptics cannot destroy infectious pathogens. Therefore, patients are prescribed a throat spray with an antibiotic for acute pharyngitis. Most in demand :

Bioparox. The active substance is fusafungin, to which most gram-negative and gram-positive microbes have not developed resistance;
Grammidin. The healing properties are due to the antimicrobial agent gramicidin C, and the effect is enhanced by the addition of the antiseptic cetylpyridinium chloride.

After spraying a jet of aerosol, the components penetrate directly into the inflammatory foci. They block the production of enzymes by pathogens for the construction of cell membranes and subsequent replication. Bacteria lose their ability to reproduce, which causes their death.

When is it appropriate to use antibiotics for pharyngitis?

In 70% of cases, the pathogenesis of pharyngitis is caused by infection of the throat by viruses. This is a gentle version of the disease that does not cause severe symptoms and can be cured on its own even without the use of special pharmacological agents. The body’s own immune cells also cope well with the causative agents of viral pharyngitis. You can make the task easier for the immune system with the help of local antiseptics - sprays, rinsing solutions and lozenges.

The remaining 30% of cases of pharyngitis are caused by bacterial pathogens. This variant of the disease threatens complications and involvement of nearby organs and tissues in inflammation - primarily the palatine tonsils and submandibular lymph nodes. Treatment of pharyngitis with antibiotics is designed to prevent bacteria from infiltrating other organs. In the case of streptococcal inflammation of the pharynx, there is a possibility of developing complications from the renal and cardiovascular systems. Thus, antibiotics for pharyngitis of bacterial origin are a necessary treatment.

Treatment of chronic pharyngitis

Depending on the patient’s well-being, the severity of symptoms, and the type of complications that have developed, an individual treatment regimen is drawn up. What becomes the primary goals of therapy:

Destruction of infectious pathogens.
Relief of inflammatory processes that have developed in the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Reduced sputum viscosity, accelerated removal of mucous secretions when coughing.
Elimination of symptoms of an infectious and inflammatory process, including fever.
Preventing the spread of infection during relapses into the lower respiratory tract.

For chronic hypertrophic disease, trichloroacetic acid or silver nitrate solution is used to cauterize the granules. Cryotherapy, radio wave quenching of the back wall of the pharynx, helps to avoid constant inflammation of the submucosal layers of the pharynx, throat and tonsils.

How to treat pharyngitis without antibiotics?

Medicines with antibacterial components are not able to cope with viruses and pathogenic fungi. Even with a disease caused by bacteria, they are not always used. For mild to moderate inflammation, antibiotic therapy may not be necessary. How to treat pharyngitis without antibiotics:

Maintain bed rest and reduce physical activity.
Take at least 2 liters of liquid daily - fruit drinks, jelly, berry and fruit compotes, still mineral water, sage tea.
Eliminate from the diet foods with a lot of salt, which provoke the formation of edema.

The room should be ventilated several times a day and daily wet cleaning should be carried out. In a comfortable microclimate, recovery is accelerated, breathing improves, and the temperature rises less often. Doctors include syrups to thin sputum, lozenges for sore throats, and inhalations with herbal infusions in therapeutic regimens.

Strengthening immunity and prevention

To avoid the introduction of pathogens into the respiratory tract, you should avoid hypothermia and not attend public events during epidemics. Preventive measures to prevent the development of pharyngitis also include:

Compliance with personal hygiene rules.
Taking complex vitamin preparations in the autumn and spring - Vitrum, Centrum, Selmevit, Complivit, Alphabet.
Limiting contact with patients to prevent airborne transmission of infection.
Timely treatment of chronic upper respiratory tract infections.

Otolaryngologists recommend hardening, replenishing the diet with fresh vegetables and fruits to eliminate the deficiency of beneficial bioactive substances in the body.

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Reasons for the development of pharyngitis

Pharyngitis can be caused by a number of reasons.

Bacterial contact with the mucous membrane of the pharynx. The most common are staphylococci and streptococci.
Entering the body of a viral infection;
Development of disease from yeast fungi;
The development of an allergic reaction in response to the contact of an allergen with mucous membranes.

These are the most common reasons why pharyngitis occurs.

There are also factors contributing to the development of the disease: