A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is characterized by the inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. Sinus infections are caused by bacterial, viral or fungal pathogens that infiltrate, damage and inflame the sinus lining, causing it to thicken, obstruct the nasal passage, inhibit drainage and cause mucus to accumulate. The bacterial organisms commonly associated with sinusitis include Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Since bacterial infections are the most common cause of sinus infections, antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones are prescribed to treat sinus infections.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic used for the treatment of sinus infections. According to Drugs.com, amoxicillin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for the treatment of sinus infections. Amoxicillin is a narrow spectrum penicillin that kills and inhibits the growth of bacterial pathogens responsible for the inflammation of the sinus. Similar to other penicillin drugs, amoxicillin interacts with penicillin-binding proteins on the interior of the cell membrane effectively inhibiting the formation of the bacterial cell. Due to inhibition of the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall, the bacterial cell is forced to release autolysins that lyse and destroy the bacterial cell. In the treatment of sinus infections, a 500mg dose of amoxicillin prescribed for seven to 10 days and is taken three to four times daily.
Macrolides
According to Sinus Infection Help, macrolides are narrow spectrum antibiotic drugs used to treat sinus infections. Unlike penicillin drugs that directly kill the bacteria, macrolides inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria by inhibiting the bacteria's ability to produce proteins essential for its survival. The inhibition of bacterial growth gives the immune system the opportunity to increase its production of antibodies and white blood cells required to eliminate the bacterial cells. At higher doses, macrolides are able to directly destroy the bacterial cells as opposed to simply inhibiting their ability to multiply.
Cephalosporins
According to SinusInfoCenter.com, cephalosporins are broad spectrum antibiotics used for the treatment of sinus infections. Cephalosporins are often prescribed for individuals who are resistant or allergic to penicillin drugs, however 10 percent of patients taking cephalosporins develop allergic reactions. Cephalosporins are beta-lactam penicillinase antibiotic drugs that destroys bacterial cells by inhibiting biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall. By disrupting the biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall, the bacteria is forced to release autolysins that destroy and kill the cell.
