Tonsillitis is a medical condition in which the tonsils become inflamed due to a bacterial or viral infection. According to Mayoclinic.com, the most common bacterial agent in tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus. Symptoms commonly associated with tonsillitis include a sore throat and pain while swallowing. If the inflammation is caused by bacteria, antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin will treat it.
Penicillin V
According to Patient UK, penicillin V is the drug of choice for tonsillitis caused by bacterial infections--particularly Group A streptococcus. Penicillin V is an oral antibiotic with bactericidal effects. Penicillin V binds to penicillin-binding proteins on the interior of the bacterial cell membrane, inhibiting the biosynthesis of the cell wall. The inability of the bacteria to form a cell wall causes it to release autolysins that lyse and kill the bacterial cells. Penicillin V is prescribed as 10-day treatment course for tonsillitis. Side effects commonly associated with the drug include nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is broad-spectrum antibiotic commonly prescribed for the treatment of tonsillitis due to bacterial infections. Amoxicillin is a penicillinase antibiotic and similar to other penicillin-based antibiotics, it inhibits the formation of the bacterial cell wall by interacting with penicillin-binding proteins on the interior of the cell membrane. Without a bacterial cell wall, the bacterial cell is unable to regulate osmotic pressure or what enters into the cell, thereby the bacterial cell is forced to commit suicide by the release of autolysins that destroy the bacterial cells. In the treatment of tonsillitis caused by bacterial infections, a doctor will prescribe a 500mg dosage of amoxicillin three times a day for 10 days.
Erythromycin
According to Wrongdiagnosis.com, erythromycin is an antibiotic prescribed for the treatment of tonisillits caused by bacterial infections. Erythromycin has bacteriostatic properties and is commonly prescribed to patients allergic to penicillin. Erythromycin inhibits the synthesis of bacterial protein, thereby inhibiting the ability of the bacterial infection to spread. Erythromycin is prescribed for a period of 10 days to control bacterial infections primarily due to Group A streptococcus organisms.
