Which antibiotic is stronger?

[Mrbumpoid]

Metronidazole, cefalexin or co-amoxiclav? I've completed a course of the former two for an infection post labour/birth - to no avail. I've now been given the latter. It feel the GPs just give whatever and don't actually try to work out what is wrong. It has been three weeks now!

None of them are "stronger", they are different. The dosage (amount of antibiotic) is what gives the "strength". There are different classes of antibiotic (with multiple antibiotics in each class) and there are different types of bacteria. Each class of antibiotic only works for a set group of bacteria. Metronidazole and cefalexin combined will work for most bacteria because between them they work for most bacteria so if you haven't tested to find out what is causing the infection (which takes time), it is a good starting point. If they don't work, co-amoxiclav has an antibiotic and another chemical which will treat bacteria that they don't work for.

Unfortunately your experience is now far from unusual. And with massive antibiotic resistance approaching, your experience will become the norm

@runoutofnamechanges ah that makes sense! Thank you! They did test for something and found an infection and said the first two would work. But they haven't. So now they're trying the other one.

@GrandmaSharksDentures yes defo and I’m always wary of antibiotics and don't just accept them from the GP when they give them out like sweets. But this has been over three weeks of pain so I need some kind of help