Antibiotics are used to treat many types of infections, including those caused by bacteria. Otitis media, or middle ear infection, is an infection of the middle ear caused by bacteria. When treating otitis media, antibiotics are used to help reduce the inflammation and bacterial growth in the middle ear.
Common antibiotics used to treat otitis media include amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cefpodoxime (Vantin), azithromycin (Zithromax), and clarithromycin (Biaxin). The choice of antibiotic will depend on the severity and type of infection, as well as the age of the patient.
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a short course of antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, to treat mild otitis media. If the infection is more severe, a longer course of antibiotics may be prescribed. In these cases, the doctor may also recommend a second antibiotic to treat the infection.
In children, the most common antibiotics used for otitis media are amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, and cefuroxime. These antibiotics are usually prescribed for 10 days. If a child is allergic to one of these antibiotics, a doctor may prescribe an alternative antibiotic, such as azithromycin or clarithromycin.
It is important to take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. Stopping treatment too soon can lead to the infection returning, or it may lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It is also important to note that antibiotics may cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own.
In conclusion, antibiotics are used to treat otitis media, an infection of the middle ear caused by bacteria. Common antibiotics used to treat this infection are amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, cefuroxime, cefpodoxime, azithromycin, and clarithromycin. The choice of antibiotic will depend on the severity and type of infection, as well as the age of the patient. It is important to take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor and to be aware of any potential side effects.