Amoxicillin is an antibiotic in the same drug class as penicillin. 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 found in ear infections. For that reason, amoxicillin is often used to treat ear infections. There are instances, however, where bacteria either develop resistance to or are just not susceptible to amoxicillin. In those cases, a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid called augmentin can effectively treat the infection.
Function
Amoxicillin is in the penicillin family of antibiotics and is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections, including ear infections. Amoxicillin does not kill bacteria, but instead stops them from multiplying by preventing them from forming their cell wall. The bacteria ultimately cannot survive without the cell wall. Bacteria develop resistance to amoxicillin by secreting a substance called beta-lactamase, which inactivates most penicillins. The clavulanic acid in augmentin is used to overcome that resistance.
Considerations
Amoxicillin is a good first-line drug for an acute middle ear infection, also known as otitis media. Augmentin may become necessary in more severe cases where amoxicillin was not effective. The antibiotic drugs are also sometimes used in conjunction with antibiotic drops to treat ear canal infections. However, there are instances when antibiotics may not be useful. When fluid builds up in the middle ear without an infection, neither amoxicillin nor augmentin will help. In other cases, the infection is severe enough that broader spectrum antibiotic medications may be necessary.
Benefits
There are several benefits to using amoxicillin and augmentin for ear infections. They have been used for a long time and so the effects are well known and studied. The side effects are also generally pretty mild, especially compared with other, more powerful antibiotics' side effects. They are also considered safe to use by pregnant women who are not allergic to penicillin. In addition, they are also considered safe to use in children at the recommended doses.
Side Effects
Although they are generally considered fairly safe medications at the doses typically given for ear infections, amoxicillin and augmentin do have a few well-known side effects. The most common side effects for both medications 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 or augmentin due to the risk of developing a reaction.
Warning
While penicillins, including amoxicillin and augmentin, 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. Augmentin can also interact with the actions of birth control pills, making them less effective.
References
- Drugs: Amoxicillin
- Drugs: Augmentin
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Cross-Reactivity and Tolerability of Cephalosporins; July 2004
