The American Beagler Forum

amoxicillin or penicillin?

Which do you all perfer when fighting infections?

-Jack

They are the same thing, no difference in infection fighting. Doctors mix up the usage to keep bateria from becoming antibiotic resistent.

I think that amoxicillin is the generic name of the brand name. I am thinking they are exactly the same thing. Either that or amoxicillin is synthetically made, I can't remember for sure.

Emery

Emery,
That is not the case. Amoxicillin is an altered Penicillin. Penicillin is seldom prescribed because doctors want to keep it in reserve as a silver bullet. If bacteria build up an immunity to Amoxicillin then Penicillin will still work. I'm not a vet but I'm sure I got the facts straight.

The ole silver bullet! That sure brings back memories!! LOL

OK, I asked the Dr. She said that Amoxicillin is a newer version of Penicillin. It has a broader spectrum of coverage than Penicillin does, but basically it is the same thing. She has 10 more years of education than I do, so I would assume that she knows what she is talking about.

Emery

Emery,
That what I've been saying, they aren't the same.

The molecular formula for Penicillin is C16H17KN2O5S, and the molecular weight is 388.48

The amoxicillin molecular formula is C16H19N3O5S•3H2O, and the molecular weight is 419.45

As you can see they aren't the same. Amoxicillin is effective against gram-negative bacteria which Penicillin isn't, so that would make it a broader spectrum antibiotic, as your vet said. The use and development of all the various penicillins has been to make them more effective and to prevent bacteria from becoming antibiotic resistent, which has become a serious problem in recent years.

Try Cephalexin it atacks both gram negative and gram positive bacteria.

What kind of amoxycillin do you guys use and where did you buy them from to save a trip to the vet?

Thank You
Beagleboy

Beagleboy...I just order Fish Mox, 250mg Amoxicillin, 100 caps, Non-prescription from Vet Med Direct...$13.00 for 100 caps.

Here's the link... http://vetmeddirect.com/sbsite.php?&i=F ... escription

Guys cephalexin covers a lot more bacterias and particularly staph infections.

Vet Med Direct has Cephalexin as well. It cost $32.95 for 100 the 250 mg caps.

You can click on that link here... http://vetmeddirect.com/sbsite.php?&i=F ... escription

Take care and keep'em running...

I will use Cephalexin to prevent infection of open-wound injuries. Seems to work better.