A Patient's Guide to Antibiotics for Sinus Infection

A Patient's Guide to Antibiotics for Sinus Infection
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Antibiotics are a type of medication prescribed to treat infections that are caused by bacteria. They have a bacteria-killing nature and not only kill bacteria, but they also prevent bacteria from multiplying and growing further. Prescribing antibiotics for sinus infection is commonly done by doctors. The type of antibiotic used to treat a sinus infection depends on the exact type of bacteria that is causing the patient’s infection. These medications are most often prescribed when a patient’s immune system is compromised, or unable to fight the infection on its own.

Most Common Antibiotics

There are four main types of antibiotics used in the treatment of sinus infections. These include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones.

  • Penicillins: This type of antibiotic is derived from Penicillium fungi and are categorized as Beta-lactam antibiotics. They are narrow-spectrum and they are most commonly used when the infection is caused by susceptible organisms, usually Gram-positive. Amoxicillin and Amoxil are the most commonly prescribed penicillins.
  • Cephalosporins: This type are derived from Acremonium. They are categorized as Beta-lactamase antibiotics. They are less susceptible to organisms than penicillins are, but possess the same mode of action and they are broad spectrum. Keflex and Ceftin are the most commonly prescribed cephalosporins.
  • Macrolides: This type is a part of the polyketide category of natural products. These are most often prescribed to patients who are allergic to penicillins. Their spectrum is also wider than the penicillins, but they are also considered narrow spectrum. They do not kill the bacteria directly, but prevent it from further multiplying. This type also tends to cause less side effects. Klacid MR and Biaxin are the most commonly prescribed macrolides.
  • Fluoroquinolones: This type kills bacteria, as well as prevents its growth. These are categorized as synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics. It is least often prescribed out of the four antibiotics discussed in this article and is often only prescribed when other antibiotics have failed to treat the patient’s sinus infection. Avelox, Cipro, and Levaquin are the most commonly prescribed fluoroquinolones.

Classification

Antibiotics are classified as either narrow-spectrum or broad spectrum. Narrow spectrum means that they only work to kill or prevent a few types of bacteria. Broad spectrum means that they work to kill or prevent several types of bacteria.

Factors Influencing What Antibiotic is Prescribed

Certain factors influence what antibiotics for sinus infection are prescribed. Such factors include the medication’s cost, the risk of a patient having an allergic reaction, the probability of the patient experiencing side effects, and the severity and nature of their sinus infection.

Patients who have a mild sinus infection will most often be prescribed a narrow spectrum antibiotic, such as Amoxicillin, as long as they do not have a known allergy to the penicillins. If the patient is suffering from a chronic sinus infection a broad spectrum antibiotic, such as one of the newer fluoroquinolones, will most often be prescribed.

Resources

Sinus Infection Help. (2010). Best Antibiotic for Sinus Infection. Retrieved on January 16, 2010 from Sinus Infection Help: https://www.sinusinfectionhelp.com/antibiotic.html