Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of AntibioticsHow to Take AntibioticsSide EffectsManaging Symptoms
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Antibiotics
How to Take Antibiotics
Side Effects
Managing Symptoms
The bestantibioticto treat pneumonia will depend on several factors, such as your type of pneumonia, age, lifestyle, and medical history. Zithromax (azithromycin) is often the first-line treatment since it is effective against many different microbes that can cause pneumonia. Other first-line antibiotics include Biaxin (clarithromycin) and Erythrocin (erythromycin).
This article covers what pneumonia is, what antibiotic treatment for pneumonia may entail, and why your healthcare provider may pick one pneumonia medication over the other. It also addresses how to managepneumonia symptomsand prevent infection.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Types of Antibiotics That Treat Pneumonia
Multiple types of antibiotics work in slightly different ways. Some are more commonly used to treat pneumonia than others based on things like:
Healthcare providers typically choose your antibiotics prescription based on what medicines they think will be most effective and cause the fewest side effects.
Your healthcare provider will select the right antibiotic for you based on multiple factors, including:
Healthy Adults Under 65 Years
Generally, as you age, your immune system starts to get weaker. Older people are also more likely to have other long-term (chronic) health conditions.
These two factors can increase your risk of pneumonia as you get older.
Healthy adults under 65 years with pneumonia typically receive the following treatment:
Adults With Other Illnesses or Who Are Smokers
Certain medical conditions make it difficult for the body to fight off infections. Affecting a wide range of systems, these conditions include chronic heart, lung, liver, or kidney diseases likechronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),diabetes, alcohol use disorder,cancer, andpatients without a spleen.
Tobacco harms your lungs, reducing their ability to fight off infection. People who smoke are at higher risk of getting pneumonia than people who don’t smoke.
Getting vaccinated can help tobacco users prevent pneumonia.
Antibiotic treatments for this group include the following medications:
Adults Who Can’t Take Penicillin
Penicillin is a valuable antibiotic, but about 10% of people have anallergy to penicillin. In these people, penicillin can cause severe reactions like anaphylaxis.
Adults who can’t take penicillin may be prescribed the following medications:
Adults Who Can’t Take Augmentin
Adults who can’t take Augmentin because of the beta-lactam will be prescribed a different medication, such as:
Hospitalized Adults Without MRSA or Pseudomonas
Hospitalized adults who are not likely to havemethicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA)orPseudomonasare treated with one of the following antibiotics:
Hospitalized Adults With Pseudomonas
ThePseudomonasbacterium is naturally found in soil, water, and plants. In the environment, it’s harmless, but when in people, it can cause disease.
Pneumonia can occur ifPseudomonasinfects the lungs.
Hospitalized adults withPseudomonasand those who have recently received intravenous (IV) antibiotics will receive an antipseudomonal beta-lactam plus an antipseudomonal fluoroquinolone.
Hospitalized Adults With MRSA
Hospitalized adults who have, previously had and are suspected of having MRSA will likely be prescribed one of the following anti-MRSA drugs in addition to other antibiotics:
Children With Pneumonia
Antibiotics can also be used to treat children with pneumonia:
Easing SymptomsIn addition to antibiotics,lifestyle interventions and over-the-counter treatmentscan also help ease symptoms.These may include getting rest, drinking fluids, and taking fever reducers.
Easing Symptoms
In addition to antibiotics,lifestyle interventions and over-the-counter treatmentscan also help ease symptoms.These may include getting rest, drinking fluids, and taking fever reducers.
In addition to antibiotics,lifestyle interventions and over-the-counter treatmentscan also help ease symptoms.
These may include getting rest, drinking fluids, and taking fever reducers.
How to Take Antibiotics for Pneumonia
A course of antibiotics for uncomplicated pneumonia treatment usually lasts five to seven days. Uncomplicated pneumonia means it is not in a hospitalized person, is notPseudomonas, and does not have complications like effusion or respiratory failure.
One course will usually be enough to cure your pneumonia. In some cases, you may need more than one course of antibiotics if your infection doesn’t start improving or it seems like it’s not responding to the medications.
Stay in touch with your healthcare provider to ensure your infection is cleared.
You’ll likely start to feel better and have some symptom relief one to three days after your pneumonia treatment, but it may take a week or more for your symptoms to go away completely.
Some research suggests thattaking a probioticor eating probiotic foods while you’re taking antibiotics can help avoid some of the immediate and long-term effects of antibiotics on yourmicrobiome.
If you’re experiencing diarrhea while taking an antibiotic, consider taking a probiotic to support your microbiome.
Amoxicillin
Tell your healthcare provider about any allergies you may have to any antibiotics or medication. Amoxicillin may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, so you may need to use another form of contraception while you’re taking amoxicillin.
Also, tell your healthcare provider if you plan to become pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or become pregnant.
Azithromycin
If prescribed the tablet or Zithromax, you may be told to take the antibiotic once daily for one to five days, with or without food.
Azithromycin may not be suitable for you if you have a history of liver problems. Azithromycin can interact withantacids. You may have to time the antibiotic around when you take antacids.
Your healthcare provider can help you determine how many hours you need to wait if you take both medications.
What is the strongest antibiotic for pneumonia?Healthcare providers usually prescribe antibiotics based on how effective they’re likely to be against your infection rather than how “strong” they are. The first-line treatment for bacterial pneumonia is often a macrolide such as azithromycin or erythromycin. These drugs are effective against many of the different microbes that cause pneumonia.
What is the strongest antibiotic for pneumonia?
Healthcare providers usually prescribe antibiotics based on how effective they’re likely to be against your infection rather than how “strong” they are. The first-line treatment for bacterial pneumonia is often a macrolide such as azithromycin or erythromycin. These drugs are effective against many of the different microbes that cause pneumonia.
Aztreonam
Aztreonam is an intravenous (into the vein) or intramuscular (into the muscle) injection. Intravenous injection takes 20 minutes to one hour.
The muscles of the buttocks or thighs are used for intramuscular injections. The amount of time you take it depends on the type of infection.
Tell your healthcare provider about any other medications or supplements you are taking. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant while using aztreonam.
Clarithromycin
Clarithromycin comes in tablet, extended-release tablet, or liquid form. You can take the regular tablet or liquid form with or without food three times a day (every eight hours) or twice daily (every 12 hours).
The extended-release tablet is taken with food once a day. You may be asked to take clarithromycin for seven to 14 days or longer, depending on your condition.
Tell your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you’re taking. Clarithromycin can interact with a wide range of medications and herbal products, includingSt. John’s wort.
Don’t take clarithromycin if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or plan on becoming pregnant.
This antibiotic can make you feel dizzy, confused, or disoriented. Driving a car or operating machinery is unsafe until you know how clarithromycin affects you.
Ceftriaxone
This medication will be administered as an intravenous injection for 30 to 60 minutes or as an intramuscular injection.
Whether you only need it once or twice a day for four to 14 days will depend on the type of infection.
You may need to go to the hospital or your healthcare provider’s office for the injection, or you may be able to administer it at home.
Doxycycline
Taking it with food or milk can help if it gives you an upset stomach. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long to take it.
Doxycycline can interact with other medications and supplements, so tell your healthcare provider about any you are taking. This antibiotic can make some forms of birth control less effective. Talk to your provider about alternative forms of contraception.
Doxycycline may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Avoid being in the sun for a long time, and inform your provider right away if you get a sunburn while taking it.
Gemifloxacin
Available in tablet form, gemifloxacin is taken orally once a day at about the same time every day, with or without food. The typical course of treatment is five to seven days, but that can vary depending on the infection.
Gemifloxacin can cause side effects like tendinitis, nerve damage, and more. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks before taking gemifloxacin.
This antibiotic can interact with other medications and supplements. Your healthcare provider may have you adjust the time you take them or their dose.
Avoid driving a car, operating machinery, and participating in activities requiring alertness or coordination until you know how this antibiotic affects you. Gemifloxacin can also make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Lefamulin
Lefamulin is available as a tablet or an intravenous injection. The tablet is taken every 12 hours on an empty stomach for about five days.
You may need to go to the hospital for an injection, or your healthcare provider may explain how to use the medication at home.
Tell your provider about any other medications or supplements you are taking and if you are or plan to become pregnant. Also, tell your healthcare provider you’re taking lefamulin if you have surgery.
Levofloxacin
The tablet can be taken with or without food, while the liquid should be taken one to two hours after eating.
Like gemifloxacin, levofloxacin can cause severe and sometimes permanent side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks before taking levofloxacin.
This medication can affect your alertness and coordination. It can also make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Moxifloxacin
As with gatifloxacin and levofloxacin, moxifloxacin can cause serious side effects. Discuss the risks with your healthcare provider before taking it.
This antibiotic may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight and can affect your ability to concentrate and stay alert.
Omadacycline
This antibiotic is taken as a tablet on an empty stomach with water at least four hours after having any food or drinks. For the next two hours after taking it, you can only have water and wait four hours before having dairy.
Other medications and supplements can affect the way omadacycline works. Plan on taking omadacycline four hours before or after taking any antacids or iron products, including vitamins containing iron.
Omadacycline can make you more sensitive to sunlight. Do not plan on becoming pregnant or breastfeeding while taking this medication.
Taking yourmedication as prescribed, especially for antibiotics, is incredibly important. Even if you feel better, you must take the entire course.Do not stop taking antibiotics early, even if your symptoms improve, as the infection will not be fully treated and could become antibiotic-resistant.This will make treatment more complicated. If you’re experiencing side effects, talk to your healthcare provider. Only stop your medication if your healthcare provider tells you it’s OK to do so.
Taking yourmedication as prescribed, especially for antibiotics, is incredibly important. Even if you feel better, you must take the entire course.
Do not stop taking antibiotics early, even if your symptoms improve, as the infection will not be fully treated and could become antibiotic-resistant.
This will make treatment more complicated. If you’re experiencing side effects, talk to your healthcare provider. Only stop your medication if your healthcare provider tells you it’s OK to do so.
Side Effects of Antibiotics for Pneumonia
Antibiotics are serious drugs and can have some uncomfortable side effects. These can include:
Tell your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any side effects. Some side effects can be severe and life-threatening.
Ask your healthcare provider about any potential severe adverse reactions to watch out for.
The vast majority of these bacteria called ourmicrobiome, are good for us; they help us digest food and support the immune system. But antibiotics act indiscriminately, killing any bacteria they can find, even good ones.
Common and Serious Antibiotic Side Effects in Children
In addition to taking medication, you may be able to find some symptom relief usinghome remedies for pneumonia.
Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and breathing secondhand smoke when you have pneumonia.
How long does it take lungs to heal after pneumonia?It can take a while before your lungs are completely healed after you’ve had pneumonia. You can expect to start feeling better in a few weeks, but it may be a few months before your symptoms are completely gone.
How long does it take lungs to heal after pneumonia?
It can take a while before your lungs are completely healed after you’ve had pneumonia. You can expect to start feeling better in a few weeks, but it may be a few months before your symptoms are completely gone.
Summary
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial (and some fungal) types of pneumonia. The prescribed antibiotic is based on the type of pneumonia, age, health history, and more. Some first-line antibiotics for treating pneumonia include Zithromax (azithromycin), Biaxin (clarithromycin), and Erythrocin (erythromycin).
You will often take the antibiotics for five to seven days.
Completing the entire course is essential. Side effects may occur, which you should report to your healthcare provider.
24 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.MedlinePlus.Viral pneumonia.Metlay JP, Waterer GW, Long AC, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. An official clinical practice guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;200(7):e45-e67. doi:10.1164/rccm.201908-1581STNIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia: causes and risk factors.Ramirez JA.Overview of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. UpToDate.American Lung Association.Preventing pneumonia.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Penicillin allergy FAQ.Messinger AI, Kupfer O, Hurst A, Parker S.Management of pediatric community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.Pediatr Rev. 2017;38(9):394-409. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0183NIH National Institutes of Health.Probiotics.MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.MedlinePlus.Azithromycin.MedlinePlus.Aztreonam injection.MedlinePlus.Clarithromycin.MedlinePlus.Ceftriaxone injection.MedlinePlus.Doxycycline.MedlinePlus.Gemifloxacin.MedlinePlus.Lefamulin.MedlinePlus.Lefamulin injection.MedlinePlus.Levofloxacin.MedlinePlus.Moxifloxacin.MedlinePlus.Omadacycline.MedlinePlus.Antibiotics.National Institutes of Health.Pneumonia recovery.American Lung Association.Pneumonia treatment and recovery.
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.MedlinePlus.Viral pneumonia.Metlay JP, Waterer GW, Long AC, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. An official clinical practice guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;200(7):e45-e67. doi:10.1164/rccm.201908-1581STNIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia: causes and risk factors.Ramirez JA.Overview of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. UpToDate.American Lung Association.Preventing pneumonia.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Penicillin allergy FAQ.Messinger AI, Kupfer O, Hurst A, Parker S.Management of pediatric community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.Pediatr Rev. 2017;38(9):394-409. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0183NIH National Institutes of Health.Probiotics.MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.MedlinePlus.Azithromycin.MedlinePlus.Aztreonam injection.MedlinePlus.Clarithromycin.MedlinePlus.Ceftriaxone injection.MedlinePlus.Doxycycline.MedlinePlus.Gemifloxacin.MedlinePlus.Lefamulin.MedlinePlus.Lefamulin injection.MedlinePlus.Levofloxacin.MedlinePlus.Moxifloxacin.MedlinePlus.Omadacycline.MedlinePlus.Antibiotics.National Institutes of Health.Pneumonia recovery.American Lung Association.Pneumonia treatment and recovery.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.MedlinePlus.Viral pneumonia.Metlay JP, Waterer GW, Long AC, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. An official clinical practice guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;200(7):e45-e67. doi:10.1164/rccm.201908-1581STNIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia: causes and risk factors.Ramirez JA.Overview of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. UpToDate.American Lung Association.Preventing pneumonia.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Penicillin allergy FAQ.Messinger AI, Kupfer O, Hurst A, Parker S.Management of pediatric community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.Pediatr Rev. 2017;38(9):394-409. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0183NIH National Institutes of Health.Probiotics.MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.MedlinePlus.Azithromycin.MedlinePlus.Aztreonam injection.MedlinePlus.Clarithromycin.MedlinePlus.Ceftriaxone injection.MedlinePlus.Doxycycline.MedlinePlus.Gemifloxacin.MedlinePlus.Lefamulin.MedlinePlus.Lefamulin injection.MedlinePlus.Levofloxacin.MedlinePlus.Moxifloxacin.MedlinePlus.Omadacycline.MedlinePlus.Antibiotics.National Institutes of Health.Pneumonia recovery.American Lung Association.Pneumonia treatment and recovery.
MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.
MedlinePlus.Viral pneumonia.
Metlay JP, Waterer GW, Long AC, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. An official clinical practice guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;200(7):e45-e67. doi:10.1164/rccm.201908-1581ST
NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia: causes and risk factors.
Ramirez JA.Overview of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. UpToDate.
American Lung Association.Preventing pneumonia.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Penicillin allergy FAQ.
Messinger AI, Kupfer O, Hurst A, Parker S.Management of pediatric community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.Pediatr Rev. 2017;38(9):394-409. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0183
NIH National Institutes of Health.Probiotics.
MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.
MedlinePlus.Azithromycin.
MedlinePlus.Aztreonam injection.
MedlinePlus.Clarithromycin.
MedlinePlus.Ceftriaxone injection.
MedlinePlus.Doxycycline.
MedlinePlus.Gemifloxacin.
MedlinePlus.Lefamulin.
MedlinePlus.Lefamulin injection.
MedlinePlus.Levofloxacin.
MedlinePlus.Moxifloxacin.
MedlinePlus.Omadacycline.
MedlinePlus.Antibiotics.
National Institutes of Health.Pneumonia recovery.
American Lung Association.Pneumonia treatment and recovery.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
