augmentin antibiotics

1.3 Otitis media
Acute otitis media
Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear that occurs mostly in infants and children under two years
of age. The bacterial pathogens most often implicated are Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus
influenzae. Bacterial infection is suggested by the presence of acute onset of pain in the ear, fever and
redness, and decreased mobility of the tympanic membrane. Patients presenting with these signs require
antimicrobials and analgesics; meningitis can be a complication.
Antimicrobial treatment
Routine use of antimicrobials in decreasing the duration and severity of symptoms and preventing
complications is not recommended. The condition may be observed for about 48 hours before use of
antibiotics, except in children younger than two years old and in immunosuppressed states.
• First-line treatment
Amoxicillin 500mg (children: 15mg/kg; maximum 500mg) orally every 8 hours for 5 days
For patients who are allergic to penicillins:
Erythromycin 250mg every 6 hours, orally (age > 14 years)
• Second-line treatment
(for patients who do not respond to first-line treatment after 72 hours)
Amoxicillin 500mg + clavulanic acid (children: amoxicillin
7.5 - 15mg/kg + clavulanic acid; maximum 500mg) orally every 8 hours for 5 days
or
Cefuroxime 15mg/kg every 12 hours for 5 days (age > 14 years);
500mg every 12 hours (age > 14 years)
or
Cefaclor 10 to 20mg/kg every 12 hours (age < 14 years);
250mg every 8 hours (age > 14 years)