Bacterial antibiotic resistance is on the rise, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is predominantly due to the over-exposure or improper use of antibiotics, which causes the organisms to alter themselves, thereby reducing or eliminating the efficacy of the drug. Amoxicillin-resistant bacteria, for example, prompt physicians to prescribe alternatives to eliminate the infection. Amoxicillin is prescribed for a variety of illnesses, including ear and bladder infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea and E. coli or salmonella poisoning. If a patient develops a resistance to amoxicillin, there are alternatives available comparable in efficacy.
Cephalosporins
Cephalosporins are usually given to individuals resistant to amoxicillin, particularly for patients suffering from urinary tract infections or sinusitis, according to Drugs.com. These antibiotics are available as an oral, injectable, intravenous and intramuscular medication in which administration depends on the condition it's treating. Common cephalosporins include cefzil, ceftin and lorabid, each treating a range of bacterial infections such as acute bronchitis, and ear, throat and skin infections.
Tetracycline
Tetracycline is an amoxicillin alternative for an array of bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, respiratory tract and urinary tract infections, acne, gonorrhea and chlamydia, Drugs.com says. It works by interfering with the bacterial wall synthesis thereby killing the cells. It usually comes as a capsule with a liquid interior for oral administration taken two to four times per day, according to MedlinePlus. It can cause serious complications for pregnant women and children younger than the age of 8 who are advised to refrain from its use.
Fluoroquinolones
Fluoroquinolones are a wide-spectrum antibiotic that treat a variety of bacterial-induced infections, such as anthrax, bladder and bone infections, bronchitis, cholera, otitis and pelvic inflammatory disease, according to Drugs.com. Common fluoroquinolones include ofloxacin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin and enoxacin. Specific prescriptions depend on the type of condition a patient has. The older generation quinolones lack the addition of fluoride--hence the name fluoroquinolones. American Family Physician notes the addition of fluoride to standard quinolones increases the broad-spectrum bactericidal activity, has excellent oral bioavailability and satisfactory tissue penetration. Previous generations, which include ciprofloxacin and noroxin, do not have the expanded antimicrobial spectrum of fluoroquinolones, making them effective against amoxicillin-resistant bacteria.
