From the Guidelines
Augmentin should be prescribed for a duration of 10-14 days to treat sinus infections, as this duration is likely adequate for most patients with acute disease. The appropriate duration of antibiotic therapy for sinusitis is not well defined, but a 10- to 14-day course of antibiotic might be adequate for most patients with acute disease 1. The standard adult dosage is usually Augmentin 875/125 mg taken twice daily, or Augmentin 500/125 mg taken three times daily. It's essential to complete the entire prescribed course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before finishing the medication. This ensures all bacteria are eliminated and helps prevent antibiotic resistance. Some key points to consider when prescribing Augmentin for sinus infections include:
- The possibility of anaerobic pathogens should be considered in protracted or severe cases of sinusitis, and amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is effective against these organisms 1
- If the clinical course suggests that an anaerobe is a likely pathogen, clindamycin or metronidazole might be considered in combination therapy with a broad-spectrum drug 1
- Patients should be alerted to the possibility of pseudomembranous enterocolitis and told to contact their physician for any sign of diarrhea or bloody stools 1
- Common side effects of Augmentin include diarrhea, nausea, and rash, and taking the medication with food can help reduce stomach upset.
From the Research
Treatment Duration for Sinus Infection with Augmentin
- The typical treatment duration for a sinus infection with Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) is 10 days, as seen in the studies 2, 3.
- In the study 2, patients were treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate 875 mg/125 mg every 12 hours for 10 days.
- Another study 3 compared the efficacy of a 3-day course of azithromycin with a 10-day course of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and found that the 10-day course of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was effective in treating acute sinusitis.
Comparison with Other Antibiotics
- The study 2 compared amoxicillin/clavulanate with azithromycin extended release, and found that more patients randomized to azithromycin extended release experienced symptom resolution at day 5.
- The study 3 found that a 3-day course of azithromycin was as effective and well tolerated as a 10-day course of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in treating acute sinusitis.
Key Findings
- The primary end point of the study 2 was symptom resolution at 5 days, and the results showed that 18.9% of patients in the amoxicillin/clavulanate arm had resolution of symptoms.
- The study 3 found that by the end of therapy (days 10-12), 74% of the patients in the amoxicillin/clavulanate group were cured, and by the follow-up visit, cure was achieved in 91% of the amoxicillin/clavulanate-treated patients.