Is Ceftin (cefuroxime) effective for treating bacterial ear infections?

From the Guidelines

Ceftin (cefuroxime) is effective for treating bacterial ear infections, particularly acute otitis media, as recommended by the official French guidelines 1.

Key Points to Consider

• Ceftin works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, making it effective against many common ear infection pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.
• For adults, the typical dosage is 250-500 mg twice daily for 7-10 days, while children usually receive 15 mg/kg twice daily (not exceeding 1000 mg per day) for the same duration.
• Patients should complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before finishing the prescription.
• Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and skin rash.
• Ceftin should be taken with food to enhance absorption and reduce stomach upset.
• Patients with known cephalosporin allergies should avoid this medication, and those with penicillin allergies should use it cautiously as cross-reactivity can occur in approximately 10% of patients.

Evidence-Based Recommendations

• The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2020, compares various short-term antibiotics for the treatment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and found that cefuroxime is effective in treating CRS 1.
• Another study published in 2004 found that cefuroxime is effective in treating acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, with a clinical cure rate of 85% 1.
• The principles of judicious antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections in pediatrics, published in 2013, recommend cefuroxime as a second-line therapy for acute otitis media 1.
• The diagnosis and management of acute otitis media, published in 2013, recommend cefuroxime as an alternative therapy for patients who fail initial treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate 1.

From the Research

Effectiveness of Ceftin for Ear Infections

• Ceftin (cefuroxime) is an antibiotic that has been studied for its effectiveness in treating bacterial ear infections, also known as acute otitis media (AOM) 2, 3, 4.
• Research has shown that a 5-day course of cefuroxime axetil suspension is equivalent to a 10-day course of amoxicillin/clavulanate suspension in treating AOM in children 2, 4.
• Cefuroxime axetil has been found to be effective in eradicating bacterial pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis, which are common causes of AOM 3, 4.
• However, it's worth noting that cefuroxime may not be as effective against penicillin-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae, and its use as a second-line agent has been questioned in recent years 5.

Comparison to Other Antibiotics

• Studies have compared the efficacy of cefuroxime axetil to other antibiotics, such as amoxicillin/clavulanate, and found them to be equivalent in treating AOM 2, 3, 4.
• Cefuroxime axetil has been found to have a lower incidence of drug-related adverse events, particularly gastrointestinal events, compared to amoxicillin/clavulanate 3, 4.
• The choice of antibiotic for treating AOM should be based on factors such as the severity of the infection, the patient's age and medical history, and the likelihood of antibiotic resistance 5.

Clinical Recommendations

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children with AOM be treated with amoxicillin as the first-line antibiotic, with cefuroxime axetil as a possible alternative for patients who are allergic to penicillin or have failed first-line therapy 5.
• It's essential to follow clinical guidelines and consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for a child with an ear infection.