15 best antibiotics for treating otitis media

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Depending on the localization of the infectious process, otitis is divided into external and middle. The latter, in turn, can be acute or chronic. Tactics of treatment for different types of this disease is different. Antibacterial therapy for otitis media should be carried out correctly after detecting the sensitivity of pathogens to antibiotics.

If the integrity of the tympanic membrane is preserved and purulent exudate is not formed, then the treatment of acute otitis media can do without the use of antibiotic therapy. In acute otitis media, antibiotics are prescribed if the measures taken do not stop the pathological process (the ear continues to hurt, hearing loss increases, the patient has a fever and his general condition worsens).

In chronic otitis media, antibiotic therapy is used only during an exacerbation of the pathological process or after surgery. Basically, antibacterial agents for chronic otitis media are used in the form of ear drops or ointments. In this review, we look at the best antibiotics for otitis media, either by mouth or topically.

Rating of the best antibiotics for the treatment of otitis media

Best oral antibiotics for otitis media

Systemic antibacterial agents are usually connected in severe cases, when local therapy does not give the desired result.

Flemoklav Solutab

Rating: 4.9

Flemoxin Solutab is produced in the Netherlands. It contains 2 active ingredients: amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Refers to semi-synthetic broad-spectrum penicillins supplemented with beta-lactamase inhibitors. When taken orally, it is rapidly and completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Simultaneous ingestion of food does not affect absorption. Available in four dosages.

Flemoklav Solutab is a light yellow dispersible tablet. They have an oblong shape with the company logo. Tablets dissolve almost completely in any liquids, but it is better to use water. They do not have an unpleasant taste. Their scent is apricot. In dissolved form, they are best given to young children, and adults can swallow the tablet whole if they are not confused by the size. From acute otitis media, this drug helps to completely get rid of in 10 days.

Many speak very well of the drug Flemoklav Solutab. Otolaryngologists prefer Flemoclav, since it contains clavulanic acid, which protects the antibiotic from destruction by enzymes and expands the antibacterial spectrum of ampicillin. This antibiotic has a more gentle effect on the gastrointestinal tract, although the appearance of dysbacteriosis is not completely excluded if probiotics are not taken in parallel.

Augmentin SR

Rating: 4.8

The next review nominee is the French antibiotic Augmentin SR. It also contains amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Both active substances are absorbed as quickly and without residue from the digestive tract after oral administration. Augmentin SR is used to treat patients who are already 16 years old. This is a two-layer dosage form with immediate and slow release of amoxicillin.

Augmentin SR is a fairly large modified release film-coated tablet. They are white, oblong, with a dividing risk on one side. In total, one tablet contains 1000 mg of amoxicillin and 62,5 of clavulanic acid. They are located in 4 pieces on one blister. With otitis, it is usually prescribed to take 2 tablets 2 times a day, preferably at the beginning of the main meal.

According to reviews, the antibiotic Augmentin SR has proven itself in the treatment of acute otitis media. Noticeable relief appears already on the 3rd day of treatment. But to consolidate the result, it needs to be taken for another 4-7 days. Patients note that it is unrealistic to swallow the tablet whole, but the presence of a separation risk facilitates the process. The digestive tract most often responds favorably to such antibiotic therapy, but some develop diarrhea.

Sumamed

Rating: 4.7

The original Croatian drug Sumamed contains the active ingredient – azithromycin. It is a bacteriostatic antibiotic of the azalide macrolide group. It is indicated both for otitis media, and for other infectious processes in the upper respiratory tract. It can also be prescribed by pulmonologists and dermatologists.

One of the forms of release of Sumamed is tablets with a blue film shell. They are round, biconvex, if they contain 125 mg of azithromycin, or oblong, oval, if they have a dosage of 500 mg. Usually, with otitis media, the drug is used orally 1 time per day. Do this either 1 hour before meals, or 2 hours after the main meal. The tablet cannot be chewed.

From the reviews it follows that in 3 days with the help of Sumamed it is not possible to completely cure otitis media, but this drug significantly improves the condition and allows you to finish treatment with the help of local remedies. If probiotics are not taken along with this antibiotic, then dysbacteriosis may begin. But given the pharmacokinetic properties of azithromycin, which allow it to be taken briefly, the likelihood of side effects from the gastrointestinal tract is lower than that of other antibacterial agents.

Rovamycin

Rating: 4.7

An alternative remedy for the treatment of otitis media is the French Rovamycin. It contains spiramycin, which belongs to the group of macrolide antibiotics. Antibacterial action is achieved by inhibition of protein production in the microbial cell. The drug may contain 1,5 and 3 million IU. The first dosage is allowed for use from 6 years old, and the second – from 18 years old.

Rovamycin is a round, biconvex tablet. They are coated with a white film. This antibiotic is taken orally. Eating food does not affect the absorption of the active substance. Adults are prescribed 2-3 tablets of 3 million IU or 4-6 tablets of 1.5 million IU in 24 hours. The daily dose is divided into 2-3 doses. A single dose should be washed down with a sufficient amount of water.

Patients respond very well to the antibiotic Rovamycin. It differs from many others in that it can be given to pregnant women without the threat of harm to the fetus. The tablets are easy to swallow. Improvement in otitis develops on the second day of use. The drug acts gently and in most cases does not cause side effects. But occasionally it can provoke nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Clacid SR

Rating: 4.7

The review of the best should definitely include the Italian drug Klacid SR. It contains the active ingredient clarithromycin. It refers to semi-synthetic macrolides. It acts mainly bacteriostatically, as well as bactericidal. It is used to treat adults and children over 12 years of age. The duration of therapy depends on the indications.

Klacid SR is an oval yellow film-coated tablet. They have a prolonged release. The tablets are medium in size and are swallowed almost without problems. When administered orally, clarithromycin is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Eating food slightly slows down the absorption process, but does not affect the bioavailability of the active substance.

In the reviews, patients of otolaryngologists note that already on the second day of using Klacid SR, pain in the ear is significantly reduced. The high temperature drops. It is possible to completely get rid of the main symptoms of otitis in 5-7 days. Many people like that only one tablet should be taken per day, well, or 2 in especially severe cases. It is better not to use this antibiotic at night, so that in the morning you do not feel bitterness in your mouth.

Digit OD

Rating: 4.7

The Indian drug Cifran OD contains ciprofloxacin, which belongs to fluoroquinolones. This substance has a detrimental effect on both multiplying pathogens and those that are in a latent state. After oral administration, it is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. This antibiotic has a wide range of applications. He has proven himself well in the treatment of otitis media.

Cifran OD is a film-coated tablet of almost white color. Their action is prolonged. They are quite large (up to 2 cm in length), oblong, oval. The drug is available in two dosages: 500 and 1000 mg. It is recommended to take 1-2 tablets per day after meals with a glass of water. They must not be chewed or broken.

According to reviews, Cifran OD is quite effective in the treatment of otitis media. Acute symptoms disappear on the 3-4th day of treatment. But even after the complete disappearance of symptoms, it is important to take the drug for another 2 days. This is a good alternative if you are allergic to penicillins. This representative of fluoroquinolones causes a minimum of side effects, although they are not excluded. The main difficulty for patients is to swallow a large tablet whole.

Zinnat

Rating: 4.6

The British pharmaceutical company Glaxo produces the drug Zinnat. It contains cefuroxime, an antibiotic of the II generation cephalosporin group with a bactericidal effect. Zinnat is active against a wide range of pathogens, so it can be used to treat otitis media. It is prescribed for adults and children from 3 years of age.

Zinnat is sold in the form of tablets with a white film shell. They are oval, biconvex, relatively small. Even children swallow them without problems. Zinnat comes in two dosages: 125 and 250 mg. The standard course of therapy is 7 days (may vary from 5 to 10 days). For optimal absorption, the drug should be taken after meals.

It follows from the reviews that Zinnat does not just “treat”, but completely solves the problem. It acts quite gently and does not particularly affect the flora of the gastrointestinal tract, even in children. Treatment may well be carried out without the parallel use of probiotics. But in particularly sensitive individuals, digestive problems can still occur.

Cyprinol

Rating: 4.5

Another nominee for the review was the drug Tsiprinol from the pharmaceutical company KRKA (Slovenia). It contains ciprofloxacin, which belongs to

antimicrobial agents of the fluoroquinolone group. The drug causes the death of pathogens in the body. The antibiotic is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It is widely used in severe infections of the upper respiratory tract. Approved for use from 15 years.

Tsiprinol is a white film-coated tablet. They may be round (for a dosage of 250 mg) or oval, biconvex (for dosages of 500 and 750 mg) shape. It should be borne in mind that food intake slightly affects the absorption of ciprofloxacin. With otitis media, Tsiprinol is taken orally at 250-750 mg 2 times a day for 7-10 days.

About Tsiprinol there are mostly positive reviews. Patients note that with this antibiotic they quickly begin to recover from acute otitis media. Many people tolerate this drug well, but it has a fairly large list of possible side effects. Most often, the gastrointestinal tract and the hepatobiliary system react negatively to taking cyprinol.

Avelox

Rating: 4.5

The German pharmaceutical company Bayer produces the drug Avelox. Its active ingredient is moxifloxacin. It is an antibacterial agent of the fluoroquinolone group. After ingestion of this antibiotic, the active ingredient is rapidly and almost completely absorbed. It is often prescribed to people with infectious and inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

Avelox is sold in tablets with a pink film shell. They are matte, oblong, convex on both sides and have a dividing line. Each of them contains 400 mg of moxifloxacin. There may be 5, 7 or 10 pieces in a package. The drug is prescribed 1 time per day for 400 mg. The tablets should be taken whole with a glass of water. Antibiotics can be taken with or without food. The average duration of treatment for otitis media is 7 days.

According to reviews, already on the second or third day of treatment with this antibiotic, the patient’s well-being noticeably improves, body temperature normalizes, and general symptoms become less pronounced. But along with this, the drug can provoke nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness and headache. The advantage of this antibiotic is that it is prescribed less often than others, so pathogenic organisms have not yet had time to develop resistance to it.

Best topical antibiotics for otitis media

With external otitis and not severe cases of exacerbation of chronic otitis media, treatment with local preparations containing antibiotics is started.

Otofa

Rating: 4.9

A review of the best local antibiotics for otitis media opens the French drug Otofa. These ear drops contain the antibiotic rifampicin. It causes the death of microbes in the body. It is active against most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria that cause the development of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the middle ear.

Otofa drops are sold in dark glass bottles of 10 ml. They are a clear, orange-red solution. The kit includes a plastic, long pipette for instillation of the product. Adults are instilled in the ear 5 drops, and children 3 drops 3 times a day. It is also allowed to moisten gauze turunda with medicine and insert it into the external auditory canal twice a day. The duration of therapy is up to 7 days.

In the reviews, people using Otofa drops note that this is a very effective local antibiotic. Pain in the ear disappear literally on the second day of treatment. For 5-7 days, you can completely forget about the unpleasant symptoms of acute otitis externa. These drops are generally well tolerated, but many do not like that they leave orange marks on the skin and can also stain clothes.

Anauran

Rating: 4.8

Italian ear drops Anauran contain 3 active ingredients: polymyxin B (polypeptide antibiotic), neomycin sulfate (aminoglycoside antibiotic) and lidocaine (local anesthetic). This drug is recommended for acute and chronic otitis externa, acute otitis media without perforation, as well as for the chronic exudative form of this pathology.

Anauran is a transparent, colorless drop, odorless. They are placed in dark glass bottles (25 ml) with a dropper cap. Adults are recommended to inject 4-5 drops up to 4 times a day into the affected ear, and 2-3 drops 3-4 times a day for children. The exact number of repetitions of manipulations depends on the severity of the disease. The average therapeutic course is 1 week.

There are mostly positive reviews about Anauran drops. Pain and lumbago in the ear disappear after about 5 minutes after instillation. The procedure itself does not cause discomfort to either adults or children. All unpleasant symptoms completely disappear in 4-5 days. And by the 7th day there is a complete cure. Tolerability of the drug is usually good, but occasionally it causes local allergic reactions.

Sofradex

Rating: 4.8

The next nominee for the review is the Indian drug Sofradex. This combined remedy contains 3 active ingredients: framycetin sulfate (an antibiotic from the aminoglycoside group), gramicidin (has a bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect), dexamethasone (glucocorticosteroid). Suitable for instillation into the ears and eyes.

Sofradex drops are placed in a dark glass bottle (5 ml). The kit includes a special nozzle with a spout for instillation. The drops themselves are a clear solution with a specific alcohol odor. For ear infections, 2-3 drops of Sofradex are instilled 3-4 times a day. Or lay a gauze swab, previously moistened with a solution, in the external auditory canal.

According to reviews, Sofradex drops relieve hyperemia of the skin, pain, itching, burning and congestion in the ear in a short period of time. There is no particular discomfort during the treatment, but many are confused by the smell of this combined antibiotic. And also some complain that after opening the drops are only good for a month.

Polydexa

Rating: 4.7

Polydex French ear drops contain 2 antibiotics (neomycin sulfate and polymyxin B sulfate), as well as a glucocorticosteroid – dexamethasone. This drug is often prescribed for otitis externa without damage to the eardrum. This antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent can be used both for the treatment of adults and for the treatment of children.

The drug Polydex is sold in dark glass bottles of 10,5 ml with a dosing pipette in the kit. Adults instill 1-5 drops, children 1-2 drops in each ear twice a day for 6-10 days. The duration of therapy is up to 10 days. Before using Polydex drops, they should be warmed by holding the bottle in your hands. This will help to avoid discomfort during the manipulation of instillation.

Patients speak very well of Polydex drops. But they give their recommendations on the correct instillation. It is important not to drip the medicine “from afar”, but to allow it to flow down the wall of the ear canal. Otherwise, an “air lock” may form. The pain in the ear after these drops disappears almost immediately. A day later, the feeling of congestion and other unpleasant symptoms disappear. Tolerability of the drug is usually good, but local manifestations of allergies are possible.

Normaks

Rating: 4.7

The Indian drug Normaks is widely used topically in ophthalmology and otolaryngology. The product contains norfloxacin, which belongs to the fluoroquinolones. It is detrimental to a large number of pathogens. The drug is suitable for the treatment of otitis externa, otitis media and internal. Normax is also used after surgery to prevent infectious otitis media.

Normax is sold in 5 ml polyethylene dropper bottles. The solution itself is clear, colorless, without any particles. Before instillation of Normax drops, it is recommended to sanitize the external auditory canal. The patient is laid on his side to facilitate the instillation process. After manipulation, the drops are allowed to drain into the ear canal. To do this, the earlobe is pulled down and back. The head is held like this for up to 2 minutes.

According to reviews, Normax drops act very quickly, are comfortable to use and have an affordable price. This antibiotic quickly relieves pain, burning and relieves backache. Many people like their versatility. The remedy is well tolerated, but in some patients it can cause dizziness, nausea, or heartburn.

Baneocin

Rating: 4.7

The Austrian ointment Baneocin closes the review of local antibiotics. Contains two antibiotics (neomycin and bacitracin) that have a bactericidal effect. Can be used as an adjunct in the treatment of infected wounds that may occur with otitis externa. In children, this drug can be used only after consulting a specialist.

Baneocin ointment is sold in aluminum tubes of 5 or 20 g. The contents are yellowish, homogeneous, with a slight characteristic odor. The consistency of the ointment is quite dense, oiliness is felt to the touch. For adults and children, it is applied in a thin layer on pathological foci 2-3 times a day.

From the reviews it follows that this remedy with antibiotics heals wounds with external otitis very quickly. There is no discomfort during application. This tool is used economically. Tolerability in Baneocin is usually good, but in rare cases it can provoke allergic reactions at the site of application.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.