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Acute Otitis Media

How to Use these GuidelinesFor AdultsFor Neonates, Infants & Adolescents

Clinical definition:

Acute otitis media is defined as acute infection with inflammation of the middle ear. Common symptoms include fever, ear pain, ear discharge and difficulty hearing. Common bacterial pathogens include S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis.

 

Infant, Child & Adolescent

Preferred antibiotic choice
DrugFormulationDosageDuration
Amoxicillin (PO)APowder 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)40-45 mg/kg/dose 12 hourly, maximum dose 1.5 g 12 hourly5 – 10 days
For patients who received amoxicillin in the previous 30 days or for those who are non-responsive to first-line treatment with amoxicillin after 48 – 72 hours
Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (PO)AOral liquid: 125 mg amoxicillin + 31.25 mg clavulanic acid/5 mL; 250 mg amoxicillin + 62.5 mg clavulanic acid/5 mL; Tablet: 500 mg (as trihydrate) + 125 mg (as potassium salt).40 – 45 mg/kg of amoxicillin component per dose 12 hourly, maximum dose of amoxicillin component: 875 mg 12 hourly.

(Refer to Other NotesB below for guidance on dosing accurately.)

5 – 10 days
In case of confirmed drug allergy or medical contraindication
AzithromycinCOral liquid: 200 mg/5 mL; Capsule: 250 mg; 500 mg (anhydrous).10 mg/kg once daily, maximum daily dose 500 mg3 – 5 days

 

 

A. If a patient cannot tolerate oral antibiotics (e.g. persistent vomiting), IV or IM antibiotics may be considered:

  • Ampicillin (25 mg/kg/dose 6 hourly, Maximum dose: 500 mg 6 hourly), or
  • Ceftriaxone (50 mg/kg/dose once daily, Maximum dose: 1 g daily)

B. Current widely available oral liquid formulations contain amoxicillin + clavulanic acid in a 4:1 ratio. To achieve 40-45 mg/kg/dose of amoxicillin component, when using the 4:1 formulation, prescribe amoxicillin + clavulanic acid 10-15 mg/kg/dose of amoxicillin component 12 hourly and separately prescribe amoxicillin 30-35 mg/kg/dose 12 hourly in order not to exceed the maximum recommended dose of clavulanic acid (10 mg/kg/day) thereby reducing the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. If oral liquid formulations with a higher dose of amoxicillin are available (7:1 ratio – 400 mg amoxicillin + 57.5 mg clavulanic acid/5 mL, or 14:1 ratio – 600 mg amoxicillin + 42.9 mg clavulanic acid/5 mL), these may be dosed at 40-45 mg/kg dose of amoxicillin component 12 hourly without a separate amoxicillin prescription (the clavulanic acid dose will not be exceeded). If the 7:1 ratio tablet formulation is available (875 mg amoxicillin + 125 mg clavulanic acid clavulanic acid) it may be prescribed 12 hourly for children weighing 25 kg or more.

C. If a patient fails macrolide therapy, consider ceftriaxone or refer to a specialist.

 

Principles of Stewardship:

  • Practice watchful waiting and withhold antibiotics except for patients with severe symptoms, those less than 2 years of age, and patients with bilateral disease.
  • Repeated courses of antibiotics in children with chronic otitis media and/or otorrhoea are ineffective and should be avoided. Expert advice or referral to an ENT specialist and audiologist if available should be considered.