What Antibiotics Are Used for Ear Infections?

A common infection of babies and young children is that of the middle ear, also known as otitis media. The infection causes pain, discharge, and sometimes blockage of the ear canal, causing muffled hearing. Antibiotics are very effective at treating otitis media.

Ear Anatomy

• The eardrum blocks the middle and inner ear from the outer ear with the eustachian tubes connecting to the throat, representing a perfect pathway for bacteria to enter the ear. If the tubes are blocked during an infection, fluid builds up, causing the symptoms of pressure and pain.

Causes

• Ear infections in children are many times caused by Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria. Though some strains of the bacteria exhibit penicillin resistance, penicillin-derived antibiotics are still the first line of treatment.

Treatment

• While most ear infections clear up on their own, a five-day course of amoxicillin, a form of penicillin, is the recommended antibiotic treatment for ear infections in children. Some people are allergic to penicillin, so other antibiotics may be used.

Other Antibiotics

• Those who are allergic to penicillin may be treated with azithromycin or cephalosporins. The length of treatment depends on the size of the person, with larger, older people requiring a bigger dose for longer days.

Other Treatments

• Some children seem to be predisposed for multiple ear infections. These children may benefit greatly from an insertion of a tube through the eardrum to help take over the functions of the eustachian tubes, and allow bacteria and secretions to be drained.