Are certain antibiotics not effective on strep throat ?

[Kimiah]

I left work early Friday with a sore throat, pressure in my head and sinus, and very tight neck and shoulder muscles. I called my local Dr office around noon, they said they would try to get me in at the end of the day. At the end of the day, they informed me they could not, and to go see their "Immediate Care" center. By then, my headache was to bad, I had to go directly to bed. I had a couple of left over antibiotics from a previous sinus infection, so I took them according to the instructions. The next morning, I went to their "Immediate Care" center. When I told them that I had taken my previously prescribed antibiotics. I was told that it would be useless for them to do a throat culture because I had taken the pills. They prescribed the same antibiotic to be continued. On Wednesday, (5 days later) I called my doctors office to let them know that there has been no change in my throat condition and It still hurts to swallow. They said the pills were very strong (875) and to give it more time. It is now Thursday night, 6 days on Augmenton 875(or generic brand) Twice daily. I have no energy and   my throat still hurts badly.  Since no test was done, I do not know what I have, but to me, it hurts like strep although it has been several years. If it is, why is there no change?

[Duchess47]

From what I understand, once there is antibiotics in your system strep. test is useless. However, Penicillin has usually been used for strep.  Also, if what you have is viral then of course antibiotics won't work.  Plus, if what you have is viral, since you started antibiotics you need to finish them.

[cookie m]

I  had strep 4 times in a row.  Each time I was prescribed a stronger antibiotic.  None worked,  of course by then your immune system is shot because the antibiotic has killed good bacteria too.  I went and got colloidal silver and oregon grape upon suggestion from an herbalist.  I got rid of the strep finally and it didnt come back.  Try it first next time.  Colloidol silver is a natural antibiotic.  Good luck.

[glad2bamom]

Although it is tempting to use left-over antibiotics, you should never do so.  First of all, you shouldn't have them "left-over" because in order for an antibiotic to be effective, you have to complete the full dosage.  Second, the reason a test would be useless, is because once the antibiotic is in your system, it can kill enough of the bacteria that the strep test, or other tests won't be accurate.
Also, you shouldn't self-medicate because if what you have is viral, you are taking the antibiotics for no reason, and that is how we are creating antibiotic-resistant strains of most bacteria.  Overuse of the drug makes them less and less effective.  
I don't know what part of the country  you are in, (I'm in the south)...and one of my kids had strep, and the other had a viral infection that had exactly the same symptoms!!  I took that kid everyday for a strep test, because I didn't believe that the results were right!
Just be careful medicating yourself.  Also, some antibiotics are designed for certain areas of the body/types of infections.  Some are specific, and some are broad spectrum.  
Hope this helps...if you're still not feeling well, go to the doc and let them check you again.  
Hope you feel better soon.---

[Demiguise]

I bet you layed in bed & called your Dr. a big jerk. Been there
done that too! It would've taken 10 min. wk-in to look at your throat. Moving on, they really can't do a culture once started
on rx since it will be a false/pos. When they culture for strep,
they also ck. for best effective rx to kill it. There are also
over 26 types of strep but when it's in ? most Dr's give you the
Augmentin 875 @2xday for 10 days or 500mg/3xday. It's for Staph
Aureous or Pseudomas bacteria which is usually related to sinus.
Keep track of your temperature & call ofc. if it isn't gone by
the time you finish 'complete' rx. Sometimes they'll extend script as precaution. Try equal parts of water/gatorade to keep
electrolytes in balance or a sports drink of choice, still mix
w/ water. Most clinical exams can see to what degree they need
to take action. Many confuse strep w/ staph. I'm sure they ck'd for fever. Wash hands alot & avoid close contact w/ others. use
tissues to cough into but keep hands washed. After the last pill
in p.m., next day, use a new toothbrush or put yours in a cup
of water & neuk-it 1 min or so to kill germs. Very important.
Next time, if running a fever, just show up & act sicker & offer
to pay a wk-in extra-fee. The desk gals wk. the patient load &
also their own. Dr's are put on spot & many times will do a
quick 10min. appt. Don't forget the power of chicken-soup. Go w/
salt-free can since you're obviously not feeling up to boiling
a chicken. Get well quick.

[Demiguise]

Forgot to mention, Cepacol spray sold OTC runs $4-$5 but really
worth it. It numbs throat & especially wks. good at bedtime.
You probably have alot of drainage causing irritation. Also,
hot lemon jc/water/honey is a good drink. Use fresh lemons if
possible.