This Information comes from www.Parents.com

Know Your Antibiotics
Betty S. Wong

It's clear that antibiotics help fight your child's bacterial infection, but what are the differences between them all? Pediatrician Mark Widome, M.D., a Parents advisory-board member, helps you make sense of the most commonly prescribed kids' medicines.

Antiobiotic: Amoxicillin

What It Treats: Ear infection, UTI, sinusitis, strep throat.
Dose: Usually three times a day; course depends on infection.
Comments: Kids like the taste; pink liquid must be refrigerated; chewable tablets available.

Antiobiotic: Augmentin

What It Treats: Ear infection, sinusitis, trep throat
Dose: Twice a day, usually for ten days.
Comments: Used when resistance to amoxicillin is likely; should be taken with food.

Antiobiotic: Azithromycin (also known as Zithromax)

What It Treats: Pneumonia, ear infection, sinusitis, strep throat
Dose: Once a day for five days.
Comments: Liquid or pill must be taken on an empty stomach.

Antiobiotic: Bactrim

What It Treats: Ear infection, UTI
Dose: Twice a day, usually for ten days.
Comments: Available in liquid and pill forms, no chewables.

Antiobiotic: Cefixime (also known as Suprax)

What It Treats: Ear infection, UTI
Dose: Once a day for ten days.
Comments: Available as a tablet or a strawberry-flavored liquid.

Antiobiotic: Ceftriaxone (also known as Rocephin)

What It Treats: Bloodstream infection, meningitis, ear infection
Dose: One injection per 24 hours.
Comments: Can be used as a single-shot treatment for ear infection.

Antiobiotic: Cefuroxime (also known as Ceftin)

What It Treats: Ear infection, UTI, pneumonia
Dose: Twice a day, usually for ten days.
Comments: Bitter-tasting; should be taken with food; used for persistent ear infections.

Antiobiotic: Cephalexin (also known as Keflex)

What It Treats: Skin infections, strep throat
Dose: Three or four times a day for ten days.
Comments: Liquid or pill form; best taken on an empty stomach.

Antiobiotic: Erythromycin

What It Treats: Strep throat, skin infections
Dose: Three or four times a day for ten days.
Comments: Used as alternative to penicillin; best taken with food.

Antiobiotic: Penicillin VK

What It Treats: Strep throat
Dose: Three times a day, usually for ten days.
Comments: Liquid form has a bitter taste and must be refrigerated; best taken on an empty stomach.
Note: Follow your pediatrician's dosing instructions, and always administer your child's medicine for the full recommended course. Throw out any that's left over.