Augmentin vs doxycycline
Augmentin and doxycycline are both popular broad-spectrum antibiotics available on prescription. Augmentin is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. It is effective in treating bacterial infections like pneumonia, sinusitis, and urinary tract infections [1, 2].
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that also has some anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects [3, 4].
Doxycycline is commonly used to treat acne, sexually transmitted diseases, respiratory bacterial infections, and Lyme disease [3, 5].
Both antibiotics share common side effects. The most common adverse effect of these medications is gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea and diarrhea [3, 6].
However, they differ in rare side effects reactions. For instance, doxycycline can lead to skin photosensitivity [4, 7].
What is Augmentin?
Augmentin is a prescription penicillin antibiotic consisting of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. However, clavulanate potassium is not an antibiotic. It is a beta-lactamase inhibitor addition that prevents the bacteria from inactivating amoxicillin. Without it, some bacteria are resistant to amoxicillin. [1].
Augmentin is an antibiotic that does not influence the immune system. Thus, it can treat only bacterial infections. It is ineffective against viral and fungal infections [2, 8].
Its broad uses include bacterial infections of the ears, upper and lower respiratory tract, skin, and urinary tract [1, 9].
How does Augmentin work?
The antibiotic in Augmentin is called amoxicillin. It is a penicillin that attacks bacteria and disrupts their cell wall synthesis. Inside the bacterial cell, amoxicillin binds to penicillin-binding proteins and blocks them. This stops the production of bacterial wall components and kills the bacteria [10].
However, some bacteria started to defend themselves by producing beta-lactamases. These are special enzymes that inhibit and inactivate amoxicillin. Due to their existence, scientists developed an additional substance, clavulanate potassium, that stops the inhibition of amoxicillin [1].
Which infections can Augmentin treat?
Indications for Augmentin include bacterial infections like
- respiratory tract infections, like, for instance, chronic bronchitis [1],
- otitis media [11],
- urinary tract infections [12],
- wound infection [13],
- sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea [11],
- dental abscesses [11].
Augmentin is also used to prevent bacterial endocarditis and general infections pre- and post-surgery [9,14].
Remember, Augmentin does not have any effect against viruses and fungi [9].
The final decision of whether Augmentin is appropriate against an infection can be determined by antibiotic sensitivity testing.
What are the side effects of Augmentin?
The most common side effects of Augmentin are gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea [15].
Other side effects of Augmentin include:
- allergic skin rashes [15],
- mycosis [16],
- candidiasis [16],
- vaginitis [16],
- severe allergic reaction [15],
- anemia [16],
- thrombocytopenia [16],
- leukopenia [16].
Moreover, Augmentin is hepatotoxic and capable of causing liver injury. Therefore, in rare cases, it can lead to drug-induced hepatitis [17].
The list of side effects of Augmentin is longer. If you experience any abnormality when taking Augmentin, consult your doctor as soon as possible [1].
What is doxycycline?
Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the tetracycline class. It works primarily against bacteria. However, it is not a typical antibiotic as it exhibits anti-inflammatory effects [3].
A characteristic feature of this antibiotic is its fast absorption [18].
It is used for skin, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and respiratory tract infections [3].
It also works as a preventive measure against malaria and tick, lice, and mite-transmitted infections [3].
Its anti-inflammatory effects can also help in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis [4].
Doxycycline has a wide array of application methods. It can be taken as pills or liquids [19].
How does doxycycline work?
Doxycycline inhibits protein production in bacterial cells, blocking their growth [3, 19].
Due to its high lipophilicity, doxycycline penetrates the cell membranes well [4].
Once inside the bacteria, doxycycline binds to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome. This connection inhibits the ribosomes from synthesis of proteins and eventually leads to bacterial death [4].
The anti-inflammatory effect of doxycycline is mediated by the antibiotic's inhibition of the metalloproteinases. This results in a reduction in the proinflammatory cytokines, for example, in chronic wounds [18].
Moreover, researchers indicate that doxycycline could interact with the viral replication process by inhibiting it. This has been observed with viruses like COVID-19 and vesicular stomatitis virus [20, 21].
Which infections can doxycycline treat?
Doxycycline works against:
- skin infections like acne [3],
- urinary tract infections [3],
- respiratory tract infections, like pneumonia [22],
- eye infections [3],
- sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia [3].
Additionally, doxycycline treats anthrax infection and diseases transmitted by mites and ticks [3]. It also can be used to prevent malaria [5].
What are the side effects of doxycycline?
Doxycycline is generally well-tolerated but can cause a range of side effects.
The most common gastrointestinal side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain [3, 6].
Other adverse effects are skin rashes, itching, and an increased sensitivity to sunlight [3, 4].
Patients can also experience:
- coughs [3],
- difficulty breathing [3],
- painful urination [23],
- no urination [23],
- headaches [23],
- problem with sight [3],
- severe Stevens-Johnson syndrome [4],
- dizziness [3].
However, you may experience other symptoms that can be dangerous. Therefore, when taking doxycycline and experiencing a side effect, immediately contact a doctor.