From the FDA Drug Label
The usual adult dose is one 500 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 12 hours or one 250 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 8 hours For more severe infections and infections of the respiratory tract, the dose should be one 875 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 12 hours or one 500 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 8 hours.
The oral antibiotic regimen for acute parotitis is not explicitly stated in the provided drug label. However, based on the information provided for more severe infections, the dose could be one 875 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 12 hours or one 500 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 8 hours 1.
- Key considerations:
- The patient's weight and renal function should be taken into account when determining the dose.
- The drug label does not provide specific guidance for acute parotitis, so this answer is based on the provided information for more severe infections.
From the Research
The recommended oral antibiotic regimen for acute parotitis typically includes amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) 875/125 mg twice daily for 7-10 days, as it provides broad coverage for the most common causative organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus and mixed oral flora 2.
Key Considerations
- The choice of antibiotic should target the most common causative organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus and mixed oral flora.
- Alternative options include clindamycin 300-450 mg four times daily, or a fluoroquinolone such as levofloxacin 500 mg once daily, particularly if gram-negative organisms are suspected.
- Treatment should be started promptly to prevent complications such as abscess formation.
Supportive Measures
- Maintain good hydration
- Apply warm compresses to the affected area
- Perform gentle massage of the gland
- Use sialagogues (lemon drops or sour candy) to stimulate saliva flow
- Take analgesics for pain control
Monitoring and Follow-up
- If symptoms worsen despite 48 hours of oral antibiotics, if the patient cannot tolerate oral medications, or if there are signs of systemic illness, hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics may be necessary.
- Patients with recurrent parotitis should be evaluated for underlying conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome, ductal stones, or anatomical abnormalities 3, 4, 5, 6.