Should I take the next two doses of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) today despite experiencing facial pain in the right maxillary sinus after the last dose?

Management of Bacterial Sinus Infection with Interrupted Antibiotic Course

You should complete your current course of Augmentin 875 mg by taking the remaining doses at regular 12-hour intervals to ensure complete eradication of the bacterial infection, despite experiencing facial pain. 1

Understanding Your Situation

Your situation involves:

• Confirmed bacterial sinus infection (K. oxytoca)
• Prescribed Augmentin 875 mg for 5 days (10 doses total)
• Inconsistent dosing schedule resulting in 11 doses taken so far
• New symptom of right maxillary sinus pain after the last dose

Recommended Approach

Complete Your Antibiotic Course

• The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) strongly recommends completing the full 5-7 day course of amoxicillin-clavulanate without interruptions 1
• Take the remaining doses at regular 12-hour intervals
• Irregular dosing can lead to:
  • Persistent infection
  • Development of resistant bacteria
  • Potential complications or spread of infection

Managing Facial Pain

The facial pain you're experiencing could be:

1. Part of the healing process as inflammation resolves
2. A side effect of the medication
3. A sign that the infection is not fully responding to treatment

For pain management:

• Use comfort measures such as warm facial packs and analgesics 1
• Consider saline nasal irrigation for symptom relief 1
• Sleep with your head elevated to improve sinus drainage 1

When to Seek Medical Attention

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• Facial pain worsens significantly despite completing the antibiotic course
• You develop fever, severe headache, or visual changes
• Symptoms persist for more than 3-5 days after completing the full antibiotic course 1

Important Considerations

Antibiotic Efficacy

• Studies show that amoxicillin-clavulanate given every 12 hours (875/125 mg) is as effective as more frequent dosing for bacterial sinusitis 2
• The clinical success rate for amoxicillin-clavulanate in treating acute bacterial sinusitis is approximately 88-93% 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Stopping antibiotics early: This is one of the most common mistakes patients make. Even if symptoms improve, the bacteria may not be completely eradicated, which can lead to recurrence or antibiotic resistance.

2. Inconsistent dosing: Taking antibiotics at irregular intervals can result in suboptimal blood levels of the medication, potentially reducing effectiveness.

3. Ignoring new symptoms: New symptoms like facial pain should be monitored but don't necessarily indicate you should stop treatment.

By completing your antibiotic course as prescribed and managing your symptoms appropriately, you'll give yourself the best chance of fully resolving the infection and preventing complications.