Skin Infections

Bacterial Skin Infections

Antibiotics for cellulitis, impetigo, boils, and infected wounds

20 drugs
1 OTC
20 Prescription

Antibiotic

Penicillin-type

1

Amoxicillin

OTC

Ear infections, throat infections (tonsillitis), chest infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), typhoid, tooth infections, skin infections, stomach ulcer caused by bacteria

Acimox CapsuleAcimox SuspensionAmonex CapsulesAmoxicillin CapsulesAmoxicillin for InjectionAmoxicillin Powder for Oral SuspensionAmoxicillin Sodium for InjAmoxicillin Tablets

Antibiotic

Penicillin combination with beta-lactamase inhibitor

2

Amoxicillin; Clavulanic Acid

Prescription

Stubborn infections that don't respond to regular amoxicillin, ear infections, sinus infections, throat infections, chest infections (pneumonia, bronchitis), urinary tract infections (UTI), skin infections, dental infections, typhoid that is resistant to other antibiotics

Adaclav 1G TabletAmclavin 312.5 Powder for Oral SuspensionAmoksiklav 1.2g InjectionAmoksiklav 600mg InjectionAmoksiklav Powder for Oral SuspensionAmovin 228.5mg SuspensionAmovin 600mgAmovin-625 Tablets

Amoxicillin Trihydrate, Potassium Clavulanate

Prescription

Stubborn infections like ear infections, sinus infections, throat infections, chest infections (pneumonia, bronchitis), urinary tract infections (UTI), skin infections, dental infections, and infections that did not respond to regular amoxicillin

Kenop 625 TabletVadimentin 1000mg TabletsVadimentin 625mg Tablets

Antibiotic

Penicillin combination

2

Amoxicillin; Flucloxacillin

Prescription

Skin infections, boils, wound infections, chest infections, throat infections, ear infections, dental infections, infections that resist regular amoxicillin alone

Flumox 250mg Powder for Oral SuspensionFlumox 500mg Capsules

Ampicillin; Cloxacillin

Prescription

Infections of the throat, chest and lungs (pneumonia, bronchitis), skin and wound infections, boil, ear infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), typhoid, bone and joint infections, infections after surgery, septicaemia (serious blood infection)

AC-Clox CapsuleAC-Clox DropsAC-Clox SuspensionAmpicillin Trihydrate + CloxacillinAmpiclox 500 CapsuleAnnclox Neonatal DropAnnclox Powder for SuspensionAvroclox Capsules

Topical corticosteroid with antibiotic

Reduces inflammation and fights skin infections

2

Beclomethasone; Neomycin; Chlorocresol

Prescription

Skin rashes with infection, eczema with bacterial infection, itchy and inflamed skin, infected dermatitis, skin allergies with secondary infection

Polyderm Cream

Betamethasone; Fusidic acid

Prescription

Skin infections with swelling and itching, eczema that has become infected, infected rashes, infected dermatitis, boils with surrounding inflammation

Fusibact-B Cream

Antibiotic

Cephalosporin

1

Cefadroxil

Prescription

Throat infections, tonsillitis, urinary tract infections (UTI), skin infections, boils, wound infections, ear infections

Drozil 500Drozil Powder for Oral SuspensionMiradroxil 125mg SuspensionMiradroxil 250mg SuspensionMiradroxil 500mg Capsule

Antibiotic

First-generation cephalosporin

1

Cefalexin

Prescription

Skin infections, boils, wound infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), ear infections, throat infections, tonsillitis, chest infections, bone infections

Axcel Cephalexin-250 CapsuleAxcel Cephalexin-500 CapsuleCefomor Powder for Oral SuspensionCephaflash CapsulesMonacef 500 CapsulesSporidex Suspension 125mg/5mLSporidex Suspension 250mg/5mL

Antibiotic

Macrolide

2

Clarithromycin

Prescription

Chest infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, throat infections, tonsillitis, ear infections, skin infections, sinusitis, stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria, typhoid-like infections

Acem-500 TabletsBactofin 500 TabletsBerlin Clarithromycin TabletsBiomeclarocin TabletsCeemacin TabletsClaricin 500mg TabletsClaridex-500 Tablet Clarithromycin 500mgClariglob 500mg Tablet

Erythromycin

Prescription

Chest infections, pneumonia, throat infections, tonsillitis, skin infections, boils, ear infections, eye infections, typhoid, sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, wound infections

Acithromac SuspensionAcithromac TabletArtemis Erythromycin 500mg TabletsBiobacta TabletBiopharma Erythromycin 500 TabletsEroceth-250Eroceth-500Erogran Granules

Antibiotic

Lincosamide

2

Clindamycin

Prescription

Serious skin infections, bone and joint infections, dental infections, pelvic infections in women, lung infections (like lung abscess), wound infections, acne (topical form)

Ceremit-150 CapsuleCeremit-300 CapsuleChemimycin-150 CapsulesChemimycin-300 CapsulesClincap 150 CapsulesClinda GPO CapsulesClinda GPO Capsules 300mgClindamycin Capsule

Clindamycin phosphate

Prescription

Skin infections, acne (pimples), wound infections, bone infections, serious body infections, infections after surgery, vaginal infections

Clindamycin Phosphate GelEverdestiny Clindamycin Cream

Antibiotic and Antifungal combination

Fights bacterial and fungal infections in body

1

Clindamycin; Clotrimazole

Prescription

Vaginal infections (discharge, itching, odour), bacterial vaginosis, vaginal yeast infections (candidiasis), mixed vaginal infections

Clindess Vaginal SuppositoriesDamphos Vaginal SuppositoriesKlinfast Vaginal SuppositoriesMycoten Plus Vaginal TabletVisitavag Capsules

Topical Corticosteroid with Antibiotic

Reduces swelling and fights skin infections

1

Clobetasol Propionate; Neomycin Sulphate

Prescription

Skin infections with inflammation, eczema with bacterial infection, itchy rashes with infection, dermatitis with secondary infection, stubborn skin rashes that are also infected

Klinsput Cream

Antibiotic

Tetracycline

1

Doxycycline

Prescription

Chest infections, typhoid, urinary tract infections (UTI), sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis), malaria prevention, severe acne (pimples), eye infections, wound infections, pelvic inflammatory disease

Aldox 100mg CapsuleCika Doxycycline CapsuleDoxinDoxy 200 TabletsDoxycap CapsulesDoxycycline 100mgDoxycycline 100mg capsulesDoxycycline Capsules

Proton pump inhibitor + Antibiotics

combination ulcer treatment kit

1

Esomeprazole; Amoxicillin; Clarithromycin

Prescription

Stomach ulcer caused by H. pylori bacteria, duodenal ulcer, persistent stomach pain and burning from H. pylori infection

Esofag KitHelifas Combi Kit

Antibiotic

Penicillinase-resistant Penicillin

1

Flucloxacillin

Prescription

Skin infections (boils, wound infections, abscesses), staphylococcal infections, bone infections, ear infections, chest infections, infected eczema

Ethiflozin Capsules 500mgEthiflozin Suspension 125mgEthiflozin Suspension 250mgStaphylex Capsule

Proton pump inhibitor + Antibiotic + Antiprotozoal/Antibacterial

Ulcer treatment combination

1

Lansoprazole; Clarithromycin; Tinidazole

Prescription

Stomach ulcer caused by H. pylori bacteria, duodenal ulcer (ulcer in the upper part of the small intestine), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)

Baylo Kit Capsules & TabletsLadacin Kits

Antibiotic

Kills bacteria on the skin surface

1

Mupirocin

Prescription

Skin infections caused by bacteria, infected wounds, boils, impetigo (school sores), infected eczema, small cuts or burns that have become infected

Bactrox 20mg OintmentBerlin Mupirocin 2% w/w CreamBotigo OintmentDermocin Ointment 2.0% w/wMacroban CreamMupiderm OintmentMupirocin OintmentMupirocin Ointment USP 2.0% w/w

When to see a doctor

Seek care if you notice any of the following

  • If you have a high fever that lasts for more than 2 days, go to your nearest clinic or hospital.
  • If you notice pus or discharge that smells very bad and won't stop coming from the infected area, go to your nearest clinic or hospital.
  • If you have a boil or infected wound that has not started to heal after 7-10 days, go to your nearest clinic or hospital.
  • If you feel very weak, dizzy, or have difficulty breathing, go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
  • If you notice redness or swelling around the infected area that spreads to other parts of your body, go to your nearest clinic or hospital.

For guidance only — always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Related conditions

Fungal Skin Infections

Antifungals for ringworm, athlete's foot, and skin candida

Topical Antibiotics & Antiseptics

Creams and ointments applied directly to infected skin