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Antibiotics for sinusitis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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[ Treatment of sinusitis with antibiotics
But it should be borne in mind that this disease can also be of viral origin, and in this case, treatment of sinusitis with antibiotics is not carried out, since these drugs do not act on viruses.
As experts note, acute sinusitis most often occurs due to viruses - as a complication of acute respiratory viral infections or flu. In people prone to allergic reactions, sinusitis can be caused by an allergen, and with a weakened immune system, this disease can be "launched" by a fungus. In these cases, antibiotics for acute sinusitis are also completely unnecessary, but some doctors continue to prescribe them based on the assumption of a possible bacterial pathogenesis of the disease.
In principle, the main indications for the use of antibiotics for sinusitis should primarily be based on laboratory-confirmed presence of bacterial pathogens (Streptococcus, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Peptococcus, Bacteroides, etc.). But in practice, antibiotics are often prescribed for a temperature of +38°C, pain and a feeling of pressure of varying intensity in different parts of the facial part of the skull and abundant mucopurulent discharge from the nose.
But this concerns the acute form, and treatment of chronic sinusitis with antibiotics should be carried out only after a laboratory (microbiological) study of the exudate accumulating in the paranasal sinuses.
Otolaryngologists consider acute sinusitis to be one that lasts no longer than four weeks, and anything that lasts more than twelve weeks is diagnosed as chronic sinusitis.
What antibiotics should I take for sinusitis?
The decision on which antibiotics to take for sinusitis is the prerogative of the doctor who made the diagnosis. Depending on the localization of the inflammatory process, it can have such definitions as sinusitis, frontal sinusitis or other types of sinusitis.
It is useful for patients with inflammation of any of the paranasal sinuses to know the name of antibiotics for sinusitis, since - with all the variety of drugs in this pharmacological group - their effectiveness in the case of bacterial sinusitis varies. In addition, when prescribing a particular antibiotic, especially an antibiotic for sinusitis in children, doctors must take into account not only the nature of the course of the disease - acute, chronic or recurrent, but also the level of unsafe side effects for health of a particular drug.
In clinical otolaryngology, for sinusitis, the following antibacterial agents are primarily prescribed: Amoxicillin, Augmentin (Amoxicillin trihydrate + clavulanic acid, other trade names - Amoxiclav, Amoklavin, Clavocin) and Ampicillin (Amecillin, Ampilin, Grampenil, etc.).
If the patient does not tolerate penicillin antibiotics, macrolide antibiotics Azithromycin (Sumamed, Zitrocin, etc.) or Clarithromycin (Klacid, Clerimed, Aziklar, etc.) are used. Although as a first-line drug for the treatment of sinusitis with suspected bacterial infection of the sinuses, experienced doctors prefer the combination of Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (Augmentin), because this drug is effective against most types and strains of bacteria that cause sinusitis.
The release form of all the listed drugs is different: injection solution, powder (or granules) for suspension, tablets or capsules.
Method of administration and dosage: Augmentin should be taken 0.5 g three times a day (at the beginning of a meal); Azithromycin - 0.5 g once a day (before meals) for three days; Clarithromycin - 0.5 g twice a day (at any time); Ampicillin - 0.5 g four times a day (approximately 60 minutes before meals).
An overdose of antibiotics causes weakness, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, and dehydration. In such cases, gastric lavage is performed and activated carbon is taken. It is also necessary to increase the daily volume of fluid intake.
Let us remind you that the dosage of antibiotics for children is based on the calculation of the amount of the drug per kilogram of body weight. There is an antibiotic convenient for use for sinusitis in children - Sumamed suspension (10 mg / kg, in one dose, for 3-5 days) and Azithromycin syrup (the dose and regimen are similar).
Antibiotics in the nose for sinusitis
If the etiology of the disease is bacterial, antibiotics can be used in the nose for sinusitis.
These products include the combined nasal spray Polydex, which contains two antibiotics at once: Neomycin (from the aminoglycoside group) and Polymyxin B. In addition, it contains the glucocorticoid Dexamethasone and the vasoconstrictor adrenergic agonist Phenylephrine. The aerosol is injected into the nasal passages (once in each nostril) three times a day; for children aged 3-14 years - one injection twice a day. Can be used for a maximum of 10 days; contraindicated in glaucoma, renal failure, hypertension, cardiac ischemia, pregnancy and lactation, as well as in children under three years of age.
The active substance of the aerosol Bioparox is the local antibiotic Fusafungin with anti-inflammatory action. The drug is used by inhalation: adults - 2 sprays in each nostril 3-4 times a day, children from three years of age - 1-2. The maximum duration of treatment is a week. Bioparox can cause swelling and dryness of the mucous membranes, reddening of the skin, and in small children - spasm of the laryngeal muscles, shortness of breath and asphyxia.
Contraindications for use
In sinusitis, contraindications to the use of antibiotics are viral, allergic and fungal etiology of the disease (as discussed above). However, there are many general contraindications for antibacterial drugs.
Thus, contraindications to the use of antibiotics for sinusitis of the penicillin series (Amoxicillin, Augmentin, etc.) include hypersensitivity to penicillins, allergic diseases (including bronchial asthma), monocytic angina (infectious mononucleosis), leukopenia and lymphocytic leukemia, severe dysfunction of the liver and kidneys, chronic intestinal pathologies (colitis, enterocolitis, dysbiosis), and the lactation period in women.
The use of antibiotics for sinusitis during pregnancy (as well as for other infections) is highly undesirable, and most antibacterial drugs are simply contraindicated for pregnant women due to the risk of negative impact on fetal development. Some drugs, such as Augmentin, can be used during pregnancy only in the second half of gestation and only in cases of extreme necessity.
Side effects of antibiotics for sinusitis
A well-known side effect of antibacterial drugs is the negative impact on the obligate intestinal microflora, up to its complete suppression. In addition, antibiotics - by killing beneficial bacteria - can weaken the body's natural immunity.
Possible side effects of antibiotics for sinusitis include skin allergic reactions (skin redness, dermatitis); taste disturbances, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; headache; oral thrush (candidiasis); cramps, joint or muscle pain; sleep disturbances; increased activity of liver enzymes (liver transaminases); changes in blood composition (thrombocytopenia, leukopenia).
Macrolide antibiotics have significantly fewer side effects. For example, the side effects of Augmenin are expressed in the form of diarrhea, headache, dizziness and candidiasis of the mucous membranes.
Since the issue of undesirable consequences of such therapy is especially acute when prescribing antibiotics, when receiving a doctor's prescription, carefully read the name of the drug, if something is unclear - ask and clarify. So that due to an oversight or other reason for a common sinusitis, one of the aminoglycoside antibiotics (for example, Gentamicin, Garamycin, Miramycin or Ribomycin) is not prescribed. These drugs have "lethal force" against almost all strains of bacteria, but are used only in case of abscesses, meningitis or sepsis and can lead to the destruction of liver cells and hearing loss.
Storage conditions for antibiotics for sinusitis: in a place without access to light, temperature conditions – no higher than +20-25°C: suspensions and syrups should be stored at +5-8°C (in the refrigerator).
The shelf life of tablets and capsules is 24 months, sealed syrup – 12 months, prepared suspension – no more than 7 days.
How to cure sinusitis without antibiotics?
How to cure sinusitis without antibiotics? Symptomatic means aimed at restoring nasal breathing and removing swelling of the nasal mucosa. In this way, we will improve blood flow and fluid outflow in the inflamed tissues and speed up the recovery process.
To relieve swelling of the mucous membranes in sinusitis, topical decongestant drugs are used. Rinofluimucil nasal spray is recommended for adults to spray three times a day, one portion in each nasal passage, and one for children over three years old. But it should be borne in mind that this drug can cause dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, tremors and general agitation.
Vasoconstrictor nasal drops Xylometazoline (trade names - Galazolin, Evkazolin, Farmazolin, Otrivin, Rinostop, Rinorus, etc.) relieve swelling and hyperemia of the mucous membranes and restore nasal breathing. Children aged 3-12 years are instilled with a drop of 0.05% of the drug; over 12 years and adults - 0.1%. Atherosclerosis, hypertension, tachycardia, thyrotoxicosis, glaucoma and pregnancy are included in the list of contraindications for Xylometazoline. And among its side effects are irritation of the nasal mucosa, sneezing, abnormal heart rhythms, increased blood pressure, headache, vomiting, increased excitability.
Many otolaryngologists note the high effectiveness of the drug Sinupret (based on medicinal plants) in inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Method of administration and dosage: orally 50 drops three times a day, for children 6-12 years old - half the adult dose, 2-6 years old - three times a day, 15 drops.
In mild cases, antibiotics for sinusitis can be easily replaced by nightly rinsing of the nose with saline solution and instillation of slightly warm olive oil, as well as - at normal temperature and in the absence of purulent discharge - warming procedures on the paranasal sinus area.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Antibiotics for sinusitis" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.