From the Guidelines
Yes, amoxicillin treatment for otitis media will typically be effective against Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus or Strep A) that causes strep throat. The standard amoxicillin dosage for otitis media in adults (500 mg three times daily or 875 mg twice daily for 5-7 days) is generally sufficient to treat strep throat as well, as supported by the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines 1. For children, the dosage is typically 40-90 mg/kg/day divided into two or three doses, with a recommended dose of 80 to 90 mg per kg per day for acute otitis media, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians 1. This works because amoxicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, and Group A Streptococcus remains highly susceptible to penicillin-class antibiotics like amoxicillin, as confirmed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1. However, it's essential to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve, as this helps prevent complications like rheumatic fever. If you have a penicillin allergy, alternative antibiotics such as azithromycin or clindamycin would be needed. While the same medication can treat both conditions, it's still best to have a proper diagnosis for each infection to ensure appropriate treatment. Key points to consider include:
- Amoxicillin's efficacy against Group A Streptococcus
- Importance of completing the full antibiotic course
- Need for proper diagnosis of each infection
- Alternative treatments for penicillin allergies
- Dosage recommendations for adults and children.
From the FDA Drug Label
Amoxicillin for oral suspension is indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase–negative) isolates of Streptococcusspecies. (α-and β-hemolytic isolates only),
- Streptococcus A (Strep A) is a type of α-hemolytic Streptococcus.
- The patient is already being treated with amoxicillin for otitis media.
- Since amoxicillin is effective against β-lactamase–negative isolates of Streptococcusspecies, including α-hemolytic isolates, it is likely that the amoxicillin treatment will also be effective against Streptococcus A (Strep A) causing strep throat.
- However, it is essential to note that the treatment's effectiveness depends on the specific susceptibility of the Streptococcus A isolate to amoxicillin.
- As stated in the drug label, when culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy 2.
- Therefore, the amoxicillin treatment for otitis media will likely be effective against Streptococcus A (Strep A), but culture and susceptibility information should be considered to confirm the treatment's effectiveness.
From the Research
Amoxicillin Treatment for Otitis Media and Strep Throat
- Amoxicillin is commonly used to treat otitis media, and its effectiveness against Streptococcus A (Strep A) causing strep throat is a concern.
- According to the provided studies, amoxicillin is effective against a range of bacterial pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis 3, 4, 5.
- However, the studies do not specifically address the effectiveness of amoxicillin against Streptococcus A (Strep A) causing strep throat.
- One study mentions that amoxicillin is effective against Streptococcus pneumoniae, but it does not provide information on its effectiveness against Streptococcus A (Strep A) 6.
- Another study compares the effectiveness of azithromycin with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, clarithromycin, cefaclor, and amoxicillin in the treatment of children with otitis media, but it does not provide information on the effectiveness of amoxicillin against Streptococcus A (Strep A) 7.
Effectiveness of Amoxicillin Against Streptococcus A
- There is limited information available on the effectiveness of amoxicillin against Streptococcus A (Strep A) causing strep throat.
- The provided studies focus on the treatment of otitis media and do not provide specific information on the treatment of strep throat caused by Streptococcus A (Strep A).
- Therefore, it is unclear whether amoxicillin treatment for otitis media would also be effective against Streptococcus A (Strep A) causing strep throat 7, 3, 4, 5, 6.