Clinical definition:
Acute infection and inflammation of the middle ear. Common symptoms include ear pain and difficulty hearing. Common bacterial etiologies include S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, S. aureus, Group A Streptococcus sp.
| Preferred antibiotic choice(s) | |||
| Drug | Formulation | Dosage | Duration |
| Amoxicillin (PO) | Powder for oral liquid: 125 mg (as trihydrate)/5 mL; 250 mg (as trihydrate)/5 mL; Solid oral dosage form: 250 mg; 500 mg (as trihydrate) | 500 mg 8 hourly | 5 days |
| Alternative antibiotic choice(s)A | |||
| Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (PO) | Oral liquid: 125 mg amoxicillin + 31.25 mg clavulanic acid/5 mL AND 250 mg amoxicillin + 62.5 mg clavulanic acid/5 mL; Tablet: 500 mg (as trihydrate) + 125 mg (as potassium salt) | 500 mg of amoxicillin component 12 hourly | 5 days |
| In case of confirmed drug allergy or medical contraindication | |||
| Azithromycin (PO) | Capsule: 250 mg; 500 mg (anhydrous); Oral liquid: 200 mg/5 mL | 500 mg daily | 3 days |
A. If patient has received antibiotics in the past month, use amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in preference to amoxicillin.