Bacterial infections of the sinuses and ears require a course of antibiotics. Sinusitis usually occurs after an upper respiratory infection due to the persistent obstruction of the nasal passages. Similarly, ear infections may follow a cold and are more prevalent in children due their shorter eustachian tubes. The most common is a middle ear infection, or otitis media. Due to the proximity of the sinuses and ears and similarities in the bacteria that tend to infect them, physicians will prescribe certain antibiotics to fight the infection.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is the first antibiotic choice for both sinusitis and otitis media, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If an infection of the sinuses and the middle ear is present, patients will usually receive a five- to seven-day course of amoxicillin, depending on the severity. Amoxicillin is available in a variety of strengths ranging from 200 mg to 500 mg, depending on its form. Infants will usually require pediatric drops of an oral suspension as they are too small for tablet or capsule administration, RXList states.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is an alternative antibiotic choice to amoxicillin in cases of amoxicillin bacterial resistance or inefficacy. If a patient does not show improvement within two to three days of amoxicillin use, physicians will prescribe this alternative. It is available in both tablet and liquid suspension, according to Drugs.com. As a combination antibiotic, as both trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole are also independent antibiotics, it is able to treat a broad-spectrum of bacteria making it an effective choice in fighting infections of both the sinuses and ears. It functions by inhibiting bacterial synthesis and blocks the production of enzymes essential to many bacteria, RxList says. Resistance to this antibiotic develops much slower in this combination than independent of each other.
Azithromycin
Azithromycin is also an amoxicillin alternative in episodes of resistance and inefficacy. It is able to fight most strains of infection-causing bacteria, including common microbes of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pnemoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes, RxList reports. It is rapidly absorbed into the body and widely distributes for optimal efficiency. It functions by abruptly stopping bacterial multiplication, thereby hindering infection. The length of treatment and dosage depends on the severity of the infection, whether a dual infection of the sinuses and ears exists and a patient's age. Generally, seven to 14 days of antibiotic therapy is prescribed, a 1998 article in the "American Family Physician" reported.
