From the Guidelines
Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) should not be used to treat a rash in or around the ears without a confirmed bacterial infection diagnosis. If you're experiencing a rash in or around your ears, it's essential to consult a dermatologist or primary care physician to determine the cause, which could be eczema, fungal infection, allergic reaction, or other conditions. Treatment would depend on the specific diagnosis.
- If a bacterial infection is confirmed, Augmentin might be prescribed, typically at a dose of 500-875 mg amoxicillin component twice daily for adults for 7-10 days 1.
- However, using antibiotics without proper diagnosis can lead to antibiotic resistance and won't help if the rash has a non-bacterial cause.
- Side effects of Augmentin can include diarrhea, nausea, and secondary yeast infections 1.
- It's crucial to consider the potential harms of antibiotic therapy, including the risk of antibiotic-resistant infections, and to apply stringent diagnostic criteria to establish the diagnosis of a bacterial infection 1.
- The most recent and highest quality study on the topic of antibiotic use for upper respiratory tract infections in pediatrics emphasizes the importance of judicious antibiotic prescribing and the potential harms of antibiotic therapy 1.
- In general, the use of antibiotics for non-bacterial infections, such as viral infections or allergic reactions, is not recommended and can lead to unnecessary side effects and contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance 1.
- Therefore, it's best to seek medical evaluation rather than assuming an antibiotic is needed.
From the FDA Drug Label
5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving beta-lactam antibacterials, including amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. 5.4 Skin Rash in Patients with Mononucleosis A high percentage of patients with mononucleosis who receive amoxicillin develop an erythematous skin rash.
The rash is a possible side effect of amoxicillin-clavulanate. Specifically, a high percentage of patients with mononucleosis who receive amoxicillin develop an erythematous skin rash. However, the provided information does not directly address the incidence of rash in patients taking Augmentin for ear infections. 2
From the Research
Rash with Augmentin for Ears
- Augmentin, also known as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, is a common antibiotic used to treat ear infections, including acute otitis media (AOM) 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Studies have compared the efficacy of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid with other antibiotics, such as azithromycin, in treating AOM 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A study published in 1998 found that azithromycin was more effective than amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in treating acute ear, nose, and throat infections, with a higher clinical improvement rate and fewer adverse effects 3.
- However, another study published in 2023 found that amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was more effective than azithromycin in eradicating Streptococcus pneumoniae from the culture, and should be the treatment of choice for children with AOM 4.
- A 2011 study compared the efficacy of a single dose of azithromycin extended-release with a 10-day regimen of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in children with AOM, and found that the two treatments had similar clinical and bacteriologic responses, but azithromycin had a lower rate of adverse effects 5.
- A 2000 study found that amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was more effective than azithromycin in eradicating bacterial pathogens, including Haemophilus influenzae, from middle ear fluid in children with AOM 6.
- Regarding the specific issue of rash with Augmentin, there is limited information available in the provided studies, but it is known that amoxicillin/clavulanic acid can cause skin rashes and other allergic reactions in some patients 7.