The best antibiotic for ear infection; 17 drugs + method of administration

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Ear infection is one of the annoying problems that can cause pain, discomfort and disruption in daily activities. Since this disease has a bacterial origin in most cases, the main treatment is usually antibiotics. But antibiotics are not always the best option and should be chosen according to factors such as the cause of the infection, the severity of the symptoms, and the age of the patient. In this article from Darmankade Health Magazine you will learn about the best antibiotic for ear infection and how to use it.

Table of Contents

• best antibiotic for adult ear infection
  • 1. Oral antibiotics
  • 2. Ear drops containing antibiotics
• Best antibiotic for ear infection in children
  • 1. Amoxicillin
  • 2. Augmentin
• best antibiotic for middle-ear infection
• When are antibiotics needed? href="#h-how-to-use-oral-antibiotics">how to use oral antibiotics
• how to use antibiotic-containing drops
• How long does it take for antibiotics to cure an ear infection?
  • What to do if antibiotics don't work Did you do it?
• complications of prescribed antibiotics for ear infection
• final word
• frequently asked questions

Best antibiotic For adult ear infections

Infections that do not clear up on their own require antibiotics. Depending on the type of infection and your symptoms, the doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or ear drops containing antibiotics.

1. Oral antibiotics

Amoxicillin, which belongs to the penicillin family, is prescribed as a first-line drug. This drug starts fighting the infection from the first dose and usually improves the symptoms within 2 to 3 days. But it is very important that even if you feel better, continue using it until the end of the course.

Other antibiotics that are commonly used to treat ear infections include:

• Augmentin: It is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate and is used if the infection does not respond to amoxicillin.
• Safdinir: It is the third line treatment and is prescribed if amoxicillin and augmentin are not effective. This drug is also used as a first-line treatment for people who are allergic to penicillin. Cefuroxime: This drug is also a good option for the third line of treatment. It is also prescribed for patients who are allergic to penicillin.
• Cefpodoxime: Like the above, it is used as a third-line drug or an alternative drug for people sensitive to penicillin.
• Azithromycin: The treatment period with this drug is usually five days; 2 tablets on the first day and then one tablet a day for the next four days.
• Bactrim: is a combination of 2 antibiotics sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim and is used when other drugs are not effective in removing the infection.

It’s important to complete the course of antibiotics prescribed to make sure your ear infection is treated completely and won’t come back.

It is very important to complete the prescribed course of antibiotic treatment to ensure that the ear infection is completely cured and does not recur.

verywellhealth

Antibiotics include Amoxicillin and Augmentin are the best options for treating bacterial ear infections.

Other Medications

Other medications that can be included in the list of best antibiotics for ear infection include:

• Penicillin V potassium: is a slow-acting antibiotic used to treat mild to moderate bacterial infections.
• Sefixime: belongs to the group of cephalosporin drugs and exerts its therapeutic effects by killing bacteria.
• Clarithromycin: is in the group of macrolide antibiotics and helps to treat infection by preventing the growth of bacteria.
• Clindamycin: belongs to the group of antibiotics It belongs to lincomycin and eliminates the infection by stopping the growth of bacteria.
• Cephalexin: belongs to the group of cephalosporins and interferes with the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. This medicine is used in the treatment of infection caused by ear sinus (to learn about this disease, read the article What is ear sinus).
• Doxycycline: If other medicines are not effective for treating ear infection, the doctor may prescribe doxycycline. This drug belongs to the tetracycline class of antibiotics.
• Levofloxacin: It is prescribed only for infections that cannot be treated with safer antibiotics. Because it belongs to the family of fluoroquinolone antibiotics and may cause serious side effects.

To increase the effectiveness of antibiotics, you can also use home remedies after consulting your doctor. To learn about these methods, we suggest you read the article Ear cyst home treatment.

Does your earache not stop and are you worried about an infection?

Make an appointment with a doctor now and put your mind at ease. ear infection specialist in Tehran

2. Antibiotic ear drops

Antibiotics may also be administered in the form of ear drops. These types of drugs are often used for external ear infections and require a doctor's prescription. The table below shows the best ear drops for adults:

Ear dropsDescriptionCiprofloxacin is used in the treatment of bacterial infections of the outer ear.
It also helps to prevent infection after surgery. Ofloxacin is effective for the treatment of external ear infections and some middle ear infections. This product is used to treat bacterial infections and post-surgical infections. Antibiotic drops are often prescribed to treat external ear infections.

Who should not use ear drops?

Ear drops are useful for treating infections, but in some cases they should not be used. For example, if the eardrum is torn or punctured, some ototoxic drops (drops that may damage the ear or auditory nerve) are not allowed. Because the liquid in these products can penetrate deep into the ear and cause more problems.

The best antibiotic for children's ear infection

Most people get an ear infection at least once during their childhood. Therefore, ear infections are one of the most common reasons for children to visit the doctor.

Many antibiotics can be used to treat ear infections in children. But in some cases, when a mild infection affects only one ear, antibiotics may not be needed. Because the body can most likely eliminate the infection on its own. However, the doctor may consider it necessary to take antibiotics for the following people:

• Children under 6 months
• Children under 2 years who have both ears infected
• Children over 6 months who suffer from moderate to severe ear pain and this pain has lasted for at least 2 days
• Children over 6 months whose body temperature is above 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit (39°C)
• Children who do not show signs of improvement on re-examination after 48 hours (2 days)

1. Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is the first choice for the treatment of middle ear infection in children. This drug is a type of penicillin antibiotic and is available in different forms, including tablets, capsules, and oral suspension.

The doctor determines the dose of amoxicillin based on the child's weight, but the general recommendation is to take it twice a day. The duration of treatment is usually 10 days, but the child's symptoms should improve within three days after starting the medication.

Amoxicillin can treat middle ear infection in children.

2. Augmentin

This drug is a suitable option for children who have taken amoxicillin in the last 30 days. Also, if the child has pink ear and eye infection (conjunctivitis) at the same time, Augmentin is considered a better choice for him.

Let your healthcare professional know if your child has a penicillin allergy. They can recommend a safer antibiotic for otitis media, such as azithromycin or a cephalosporin antibiotic like cefdinir.

If your child is allergic to penicillin, be sure to inform the doctor about this. A doctor can prescribe a safer antibiotic to treat an ear infection, such as azithromycin or one of the cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefdinir.

The best antibiotic for middle ear infection

Since the type and severity of the infection varies from person to person, there is no definitive answer to this question. However, amoxicillin is one of the most common antibiotics used to treat ear infections. This drug is a broad-spectrum antibiotic; This means that it can kill different types of bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.

Amoxicillin is usually well tolerated, has few side effects and is available in different pharmaceutical forms. But its frequent and sometimes unnecessary use has caused some bacteria to become resistant to this drug.

Ciprofloxacin is also one of the widely used antibiotics that may be prescribed by ear infection doctor for middle ear problems.

When antibiotics are needed. Is it?

An ear infection occurs when bacteria or viruses infect the ear. In most cases, the body can clear the infection on its own. But if the symptoms persist for more than three days or get worse, you need to see a doctor to determine whether you really have an infection or not. Symptoms that may indicate an infection and require antibiotics include:

• Inner ear infection: This condition, called labyrinthitis, usually occurs after a cold or respiratory infection and causes hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, loss of balance, nausea and ear pain.
• Ear infection Middle: Otitis media occurs when fluid gets trapped behind the eardrum. This condition can lead to pain, fever, feeling of pressure in the ear and hearing loss.
• External ear infection: This type of infection, which is called swimmer's ear, occurs in the ear canal. Its symptoms include inflammation, itching, pain, fluid discharge from the ear, and decreased clarity of sounds.

If the earache persists for more than three days, see a doctor for further examination.

A doctor is the only person who can identify the cause of types of ear discharge and other symptoms including pain and start appropriate treatment. In some cases, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to take if the infection does not clear up on its own. In this case, if the symptoms continue for a long time, you can start taking the medicine without visiting the office again.

Sometimes the doctor may choose the approach of observation and waiting instead of prescribing antibiotics. This approach is usually recommended for children under 2 years of age or in cases where a definitive diagnosis of the infection is not possible.

How to take oral antibiotics

Now that you know the best antibiotic for ear infection, it is not a bad idea to learn about how to take it. The period of taking oral antibiotics is usually seven to 10 days. Even if you feel better a few days after starting the treatment, you should continue taking the medicine as long as the doctor ordered. Otherwise, the infection may return or the bacteria may become resistant to the drug.

It is important to talk to your doctor about the antibiotics you have taken before and how effective they are. You should also know that if your symptoms do not improve after three days, you may need a different treatment.

How to use antibiotic drops

Drops are used directly in the ear canal to reduce inflammation and prevent the growth of bacteria. These drops are only suitable for the ears and should not be used for the eyes. Also, like oral antibiotics, they should be used until the end of the treatment period. In the following, you will learn how to use them:

• Warming the drop: Cold drop may cause dizziness or confusion. Therefore, before using, keep the bottle in your palm for 2 minutes to warm it up a bit.
• Hand washing: Before using the drops, wash your hands with soap and water.
• Proper body posture: A person with an ear infection should lie on his side; So that the affected ear is facing up.
• Preparation of the ear: For people over three years of age, gently move the earlobe up and behind the head to open the ear canal. For children under three years of age, pull the earlobe down and back (toward the feet). Put the prescribed number of drops in the ear.
• After instilling the drop: Let the person lie in the same position for 2 minutes or gently put a clean cotton in the ear opening to prevent the medicine from coming out.

Correct use of ear drops helps to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

How long does it take for an antibiotic to treat an ear infection?

Symptoms of the infection usually go away 2 to 3 days after starting the antibiotic. However, it may take several weeks for the hearing loss and fluid build-up to completely go away. Sometimes, despite taking antibiotics, an ear infection persists for a long time. In some cases, if fluid remains in the middle ear, it may take up to 6 weeks for the infection to clear completely.

If you experience unusual symptoms during treatment, contact your doctor. The doctor will diagnose the cause of bleeding from the ear and other annoying symptoms and suggest the appropriate treatment.

What should be done if antibiotics are not effective?

If you are using antibiotics to treat an ear infection but the symptoms have not yet improved, it may be that the infection is viral. In this case, antibiotics do not help. It is also possible that the bacteria causing the infection have become resistant to the prescribed antibiotic. In these cases, it is necessary for the doctor to prescribe you another medicine.

Do you still have an earache despite taking the medicine?

Don't worry! Consult a doctor now and ask for advice. The best otolaryngologist in Tehran Question from an otolaryngologist

Complications of prescribed antibiotics for infection Ear

Up to this part of the article we talked about the best antibiotic for ear infection and how to take it. Now we want to examine the possible side effects of this class of drugs.

One of the possible risks of excessive use of antibiotics is the formation of biofilm. Biofilm is a collection of bacteria that form a colony together and stick to the tissue surface. These types of bacteria are very resistant to antibiotics. Biofilms are often seen in children who have frequent ear infections.

Antibiotic use may also cause other side effects, including:

• diarrhea
• nausea and vomiting
• indigestion, stomach pain, or bloating

In addition, Antibiotics can cause allergic reactions in some people. In case of severe symptoms, you should immediately see a doctor or go to the emergency room. These symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the throat
• Hives
• Itching
• Severe nausea or vomiting

If you experience severe symptoms such as shortness of breath after taking antibiotics, seek treatment immediately.

Final Word

Ear infections can be troublesome for many people, from children to adults. Amoxicillin, Augmentin and other antibiotics are the best options for treating this disease. If you are suffering from an ear infection or you need advice to choose the right medicine, you can consult the doctors of darmankade site. Dermankade has provided you with the possibility to receive the necessary guidance in person or online and prevent more serious problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are antibiotics prescribed to treat ear infections?

Antibiotics are usually prescribed when the infection is of bacterial origin and does not improve after three days. If the infection is viral, treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms and antibiotics are not prescribed.

Can antibiotic drops treat an ear infection?

Yes. Antibiotic drops such as ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin are often used to treat external ear infections.

What is the best antibiotic for an ear infection?

In most cases, amoxicillin is the first choice for treating ear infections. If there is a problem of drug resistance or sensitivity, alternative drugs such as augmentin or azithromycin are used. healthline | goodrx

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