Amoxicillin is an antibiotic in the same drug class as penicillin and is taken orally. It acts by attacking the bacterial cell wall. Amoxicillin has been in use for a long time and is fairly safe and effective against many of the common bacterial strains. It is most effective against streptococcal strains, which are also a common cause of ear infections. For that reason, amoxicillin is often used to treat ear infections.
Function
Amoxicillin is in the penicillin family of antibiotics and is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections, including ear infections. Bacteria that cause ear infections are usually in a category called gram-positive. Amoxicillin is a very common antibiotic used for those infections because of its action against gram-positive bacteria. Amoxicillin does not kill bacteria, but instead stops them from multiplying by preventing them from forming their cell wall. The bacteria ultimately can not survive without the cell wall.
Considerations
Amoxicillin is a good first-line drug for an acute middle ear infection, also known as otitis media. It is also sometimes used in conjunction with antibiotic drops to treat ear canal infections. However, there are also instances when amoxicillin may not be useful. When fluid builds up in the middle ear without an infection, amoxicillin will not help. In other cases, the infection is more severe and broader spectrum antibiotic medications may be necessary.
Benefits
There are several benefits to using amoxicillin for ear infections. It has been used for a long time, and so its effects are well known and studied. Its side effects are also generally pretty mild, especially compared with other, more powerful antibiotics' side effects. It is also considered safe to use by pregnant women who are not allergic to penicillin. In addition, it is also considered safe to use in children at the recommended doses.
Side Effects
Although it is generally considered a fairly safe medication at the doses typically given for ear infections, amoxicillin does have a few well-known side effects. Its most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea and allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can range from a mild rash to a systemic reaction causing a decrease in blood pressure and difficulty breathing. People with penicillin or cephalosporin allergies should avoid taking amoxicillin due to the risk of developing a reaction.
Warning
While penicillins, including amoxicillin, are generally considered safe for use by pregnant women with ear infections, nursing mothers may pass these antibiotics to their infants through breast milk. Small amounts of amoxicillin get excreted in breast milk and may be enough to cause allergic responses or diarrhea in the infant.
References
- Drugs.com: "Amoxicillin"
- British Medical Journal; Clinical efficacy of three common treatments in acute otitis externa in primary care: randomised controlled trial; Frank van Balen; November 2003
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Cross-reactivity and tolerability of cephalosporins in patients with immediate hypersensitivity to penicillins; Antonino Romano; July 2004
