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Is Amoxicillin A Stronger Antibiotic Than Cephalexin?

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Posted on Tue, 27 Aug 2013
Question: Which antibiotic is stronger Amoxicillin or Cephalexin?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

There are different types of bacteria. They are classified according to if they react to certain stains or chemicals, their structure and whether they require oxygen for growth.

Antibiotics are also classified mainly according to their structure. Antibiotics with similar structure would act in a similar way.
They can also be classified according to spectrum of activity (whether they are effective against alot or few bacteria), how they are given and type of activity (whether they kill or simply immobilise the bacteria).

Amoxicillin is a penicillin. These are the oldest antibiotics, they have a structure that is similar to cephalosporins for example cephalexin.

Cephalosporins have different generations , 1st, 2nd and 3 rd. As we move from 1st generation to 3 rd generation the spectrum increases. This means that the 3rd generation antibiotics can act on or kill more bacteria than the 1st generation.

Cephalexin is a first generation cephalosporin.

There is less likely to be bacterial resistance against cephalexin compared to amoxicillin . This means that they would be more effective against the bacteria.

I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Is Amoxicillin A Stronger Antibiotic Than Cephalexin?

HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

There are different types of bacteria. They are classified according to if they react to certain stains or chemicals, their structure and whether they require oxygen for growth.

Antibiotics are also classified mainly according to their structure. Antibiotics with similar structure would act in a similar way.
They can also be classified according to spectrum of activity (whether they are effective against alot or few bacteria), how they are given and type of activity (whether they kill or simply immobilise the bacteria).

Amoxicillin is a penicillin. These are the oldest antibiotics, they have a structure that is similar to cephalosporins for example cephalexin.

Cephalosporins have different generations , 1st, 2nd and 3 rd. As we move from 1st generation to 3 rd generation the spectrum increases. This means that the 3rd generation antibiotics can act on or kill more bacteria than the 1st generation.

Cephalexin is a first generation cephalosporin.

There is less likely to be bacterial resistance against cephalexin compared to amoxicillin . This means that they would be more effective against the bacteria.

I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions