Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus. It commonly presents with a sore throat, fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent complications such as rheumatic fever or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Medicines Used in the Treatment of Strep Throat (India) The primary treatment for strep throat involves antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria and prevent complications. Pain relievers can also help manage symptoms. **1. Antibiotics a) Penicillin Mechanism of Action: Penicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins, leading to bacterial cell death. Dosage for Strep Throat: Typically 250 mg orally twice a day for 10 days. Brand Names in India: Penicillin V (Brand Names: Pen-Vee K, V-Cillin K) b) Amoxicillin Mechanism of Action: Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, similar to penicillin. Dosage for Strep Throat: 500 mg orally three times a day for 10 days. Brand Names in India: Mox, Amoxil, Moxclav (when combined with clavulanic acid) c) Cephalexin Mechanism of Action: Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading to bacterial cell death. Dosage for Strep Throat: 500 mg orally twice or three times a day for 10 days. Brand Names in India: Keflex, Cefalexin, Cephalex d) Clarithromycin Mechanism of Action: Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit. Dosage for Strep Throat: 250 mg to 500 mg orally twice a day for 10 days. Brand Names in India: Klacid, Biaxin, Clamoxyl e) Azithromycin Mechanism of Action: Azithromycin is another macrolide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit. Dosage for Strep Throat: 500 mg orally once daily for 5 days. Brand Names in India: Azithral, Azomax, Zithromax **2. Pain Relievers a) Acetaminophen Mechanism of Action: Acetaminophen provides pain relief and reduces fever by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system. Brand Names in India: Tylenol, Paracetamol, Crocin b) Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Mechanism of Action: NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting COX enzymes, leading to decreased prostaglandin production. Common Drugs: Ibuprofen (Brand Names: Brufen, Ibugesic) Naproxen (Brand Names: Naprosyn) Conclusion Strep throat is primarily treated with antibiotics to eradicate the Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium and prevent complications. Penicillin and amoxicillin are commonly used first-line antibiotics. Cephalexin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin are alternatives for patients who cannot take penicillin. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs help manage pain and fever associated with the infection. Completing the full course of antibiotics is crucial to ensure full eradication of the infection and prevent resistance.

 Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus. It commonly presents with a sore throat, fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent complications such as rheumatic fever or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Medicines Used in the Treatment of Strep Throat (India)

The primary treatment for strep throat involves antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria and prevent complications. Pain relievers can also help manage symptoms.

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**1. Antibiotics

a) Penicillin

• Mechanism of Action: Penicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins, leading to bacterial cell death.
• Dosage for Strep Throat: Typically 250 mg orally twice a day for 10 days.
• Brand Names in India:
  • Penicillin V (Brand Names: Pen-Vee K, V-Cillin K)

b) Amoxicillin

• Mechanism of Action: Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, similar to penicillin.
• Dosage for Strep Throat: 500 mg orally three times a day for 10 days.
• Brand Names in India:
  • Mox, Amoxil, Moxclav (when combined with clavulanic acid)

c) Cephalexin

• Mechanism of Action: Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading to bacterial cell death.
• Dosage for Strep Throat: 500 mg orally twice or three times a day for 10 days.
• Brand Names in India:
  • Keflex, Cefalexin, Cephalex

d) Clarithromycin

• Mechanism of Action: Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit.
• Dosage for Strep Throat: 250 mg to 500 mg orally twice a day for 10 days.
• Brand Names in India:
  • Klacid, Biaxin, Clamoxyl

e) Azithromycin

• Mechanism of Action: Azithromycin is another macrolide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit.
• Dosage for Strep Throat: 500 mg orally once daily for 5 days.
• Brand Names in India:
  • Azithral, Azomax, Zithromax

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**2. Pain Relievers

a) Acetaminophen

• Mechanism of Action: Acetaminophen provides pain relief and reduces fever by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system.
• Brand Names in India:
  • Tylenol, Paracetamol, Crocin

b) Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

• Mechanism of Action: NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting COX enzymes, leading to decreased prostaglandin production.
• Common Drugs:
  • Ibuprofen (Brand Names: Brufen, Ibugesic)
  • Naproxen (Brand Names: Naprosyn)

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Conclusion

Strep throat is primarily treated with antibiotics to eradicate the Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium and prevent complications. Penicillin and amoxicillin are commonly used first-line antibiotics. Cephalexin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin are alternatives for patients who cannot take penicillin. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs help manage pain and fever associated with the infection. Completing the full course of antibiotics is crucial to ensure full eradication of the infection and prevent resistance.