What are the best antibiotics for pneumonia? (2025)

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Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 11, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

The appropriate antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia depend on your specific infection, overall health, and local patterns of antibiotic resistance. Your doctor will consider factors like your age, weight, allergies, and any prior antibiotic use.

First-line antibiotics commonly used include:

Macrolides: Azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin XL)
Tetracyclines: Doxycycline

For more severe cases or those with complications, other options may include:

Fluoroquinolones: Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Beta-lactams (often combined with macrolides): Amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin)

Not all pneumonia requires antibiotics, as viral pneumonia is treated differently. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of your condition, and in some cases, intravenous antibiotics may be necessary in a hospital setting.

Always follow your healthcare provider’s guidance, and let them know if you have any drug allergies or concerns about resistance.

See also: Medications to treat pneumonia

Is Doxycycline safe for dogs? Uses, dosage, side effects

Doxycycline is usually well tolerated and is considered safe for dogs. It is widely prescribed for a range of different conditions such as bacterial infections and oral gum disease. Continue reading

Doxycycline for STDs: Effectiveness, Dosage and Side Effects

Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic that may be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex to help prevent common STDs, such as syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. This is known as the STD morning-after-pill or Doxy PEP. Continue reading

Should doxycycline be taken with food?

Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is used to treat many different bacterial infections and skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Different doxycycline products may have different instructions for how to take the medication. In general, most brands of doxycycline may be taken with food. Continue reading