Antibiotics for Ear Infections

Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat ear infections. Most antibiotics for ear infections fall under four families: penicillins, cephalosporins, sulfonamides, and erythromycins. Amoxicillin is the most common antibiotic used to treat ear infections. When using antibiotics for ear infections, remember to take each dose on schedule. Skipping or delaying doses can encourage resistant bacteria to develop.

Antibiotics for Ear Infections: An Overview

Many antibiotics are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fight otitis media (ear infections), although most doctors rely on a few favorites. Most antibiotics for ear infections fall under four families:
 
  • Penicillins
  • Sulfonamides
  • Cephalosporins
  • Erythromycins.
     
Sometimes a doctor may prescribe a combination of these antibiotics.
 

Penicillin Antibiotics for Ear Infections

There are a number of antibiotics from this class of antibiotics that can be used for ear infection treatment. Examples include:
 
 
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is a generic name for the most common antibiotic used to treat ear infections. This is a synthetic form of penicillin. Physicians like it because it causes less diarrhea than some other antibiotics. It's absorbed well, and it's only taken three times a day. It's also inexpensive. Side effects may include mild diarrhea and rashes. If the rash itches, the child might be allergic to the drug.
 
Augmentin
Augmentin is an amoxicillin drug with extra ingredients to inhibit bacterial resistance. This drug may clear up infections when other drugs have failed.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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