Ear Infection vs Amoxicillin

[Targa Me]

My son says he thinks he's getting an ear infection; I have some amoxicillin here at the house, 500mg; will that work on an ear infection?
Maybe one of you MD's could chime in ....
thanks.

[Noah930]

Amoxicillin would be an appropriate medication to give for an ear infection. However (and this is the big legal disclaimer) it's important to make sure that you're treating the right thing. I can't give that advice over the internet. And it's important to make sure the dosage is proper for the patient. How old/big's the kid? If you have leftover antibiotics, do you have enough for a full course of treatment?

[Targa Me]

He's 19 and weighs 115 lbs, the infection is minor on the pain scale, plus when i took a look inside his ear the "red" was also minor.
I have 17 tablets of 500mg each. They are left over from one of my dental appt; I only take them to premed a heart murmur.

[Zeke]

I'm no doc, but I'd say if there is a history there and that's why you have Amoxicillin, you could get a head start. But with so many clinics open on Sunday these days, you could get some professional advice yet today. What's his temp?

I'd see the regular family doc, or the EN & T doc if there are symptoms tomorrow.

[Targa Me]

No elevated temp, just minor discomfort in his right ear.

[EarlyPorsche]

I would go see a doctor to be safe. For me, often the slight increase in pain in the ear only requires a few days of salt water gargling and saline nasal spray to drain it all out and make me good. I guess my body needs a form of fuel injection cleaner. I would have a professional do this more than I would have a professional do an oil change...

[Noah930]

I can't comment on whether or not your son has an ear infection (you need to visualize the tympanic membrane with an otoscope), but if your son is 19, weighs 115 lbs, and is otherwise healthy, he should be able to tolerate that dose of Amox.

[Joe K]

Take your child to the doctor. Why are you being so cheap? If you can afford a Porsche, you can afford a doctor visit for your spawn.

[rattlsnak]

19 and 115 lbs.??? How tall is he?

[nostatic]

One of the worst things you can do is start antibiotics and not finish a *full* course of treatment (usually 10 days). This is one way that resistant strains pop up. My advice is either to treat with OTC meds or see a doc and get a proper script. Then again, I'm not an MD. But my doctoral thesis was on penicillin resistance mechanisms, hence why I offer my opinion on antibiotics.

[Targa Me]

He's 5.3

[rattlsnak]

I didnt mean that as a disrespect, i was just wondering as it seems a little light! My 16 year old weighs 185, but he is 6'0..!

But as far as the AMOX, as stated, those types of drugs can cause damage if not taken in the complete cycle of usually 7-10 days. Not worth it, not to find out from a MD what is really going on..

[RWebb]

other questions: how old is the amoxicillin & what sort of shelf life does it have?

[tcar]

Has he taken it before?

A penicillin allergy (amoxicillin) can be serious, even fatal.

[Oracle]

Don't do it, bad idea.
For my kids they mix amoxil. with something else so is the right stuff for ear infection.
The superbugs are the result of over use of antibiotics and unfinished treatment.

My doc tells me that 9/10 ear infections go by themselves, only after 48 hours of fever they prescribe the mix I mentioned above.
If there is no fever then probably is viral so the antibiotics are useless..

don't do it..

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

I didnt mean that as a disrespect, i was just wondering as it seems a little light! My 16 year old weighs 185, but he is 6'0..!

But as far as the AMOX, as stated, those types of drugs can cause damage if not taken in the complete cycle of usually 7-10 days. Not worth it, not to find out from a MD what is really going on..

Hey! I'm 5'10 and about 140. That was an advantage today on the rockwall.

[Tobra]

If you have left over anti-biotics, sounds like you did not complete a prescribed course of them and you don't have enough to give him an entire course. A partial course of ABx can make things difficult, maybe worse than none at all.

[vash]

i am just recovering from an ear ache. not to be gross, but i had a stupid fungus in my ear. i essentially got athlete's foot in my ear canal!! GROSS. i had to put drops in my ear. any antibiotic would have been a waste of time. a big waste. doc directed me to buy an OTC ointment for feet and jock itch and drip it into my ear.

i suggest going to the doc.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by vash

i am just recovering from an ear ache. not to be gross, but i had a stupid fungus in my ear. i essentially got athlete's foot in my ear canal!! GROSS. i had to put drops in my ear. any antibiotic would have been a waste of time. a big waste. doc directed me to buy an OTC ointment for feet and jock itch and drip it into my ear.

i suggest going to the doc.

I have heard of foot & mouth but never foot & ear!

[tcar]

Originally Posted by Tobra

If you have left over anti-biotics, sounds like you did not complete a prescribed course of them and you don't have enough to give him an entire course. A partial course of ABx can make things difficult, maybe worse than none at all.

Said that they are to pre-med a heart murmur before dental work.

You usually only take a couple tablets for that. But that only leaves enough for 8.5days, not 10.