Best ear infection drug - amoxicillin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim

Pediatrics for Parents, March, 1989

Best Ear Infection Drug Amoxicillin and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Septra, Bactrim, and others) are the most frequently used drugs to treat ear infections. A recent Canadian study found no significant difference in their cure rates, which were approximately 90 percent for both -- when the drugs were taken properly.

Amoxicillin should be taken three times a day, as close to every eight hours as is reasonable. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is given every 12 hours. Serious side effects seem to be minimal with both drugs. Earlier concerns about decreased white blood cell production (neutropenia) with sulfa drugs such as sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim have turned out to be unfounded and probably equally likely with either medication. The important factors for selecting one drug over the other are the history of previous success, the presence of drug allergies, the cost of the drugs, and likelihood of the medicine will be taken as prescribed.