This article discusses the side effects, cost, and dosage of amoxicillin, a common antibiotic used to treat ear infections.
Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic used for treating an ear infection. Its side effects, cost, and dose are all discussed in this article.
The correct dose for treating an ear infection is important to your health. Using the incorrect dose may result in side effects that are painful or inconvenient.
Symptoms of ear infections?
Ear infections are most commonly found in the middle ear, and typically present with the following symptoms in children and adults:
- Pulling at one or both ears (due to ear pain)
- Crying
- Fever
- Trouble sleeping
- Drainage from the ear
- Reduced/fuzzy hearing
Amoxicillin dose for ear infection
Amoxicillin is one of the most commonly used antibiotics for treating ear infections. It is effective against all types of bacterial pathogens, even those that have become resistant to other antibiotics. It is also well tolerated and has no known drug interactions.
It is usually given as a 5 to seven-day course to children older than six years of age. The usual dose is 80 to 90 milligrams per kilogram daily, given in divided doses.
Amoxicillin is a prescription medication, and the dosage for an ear infection should be determined by a doctor. The medication comes in capsule and liquid forms.
You should always take your medication on schedule and as directed. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take an extra dose to make up for it if you missed a dose.
Amoxicillin is considered a standard treatment for acute otitis media in children. According to Healthline, acute otitis media (AOM) is a painful ear infection caused by inflammation and infection in the middle ear area. It is generally used as a single medication or in combination with other drugs.
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic, and may be used as part of a multidrug therapy to fight penicillin-resistant S pneumoniae. Amoxicillin may also be used to treat a variety of other conditions. It works by killing bacteria and stopping their growth.
Amoxicillin has many side effects. It can interact with other drugs, vitamins, and herbs. These interactions can be harmful and prevent the drug from working properly. Therefore, it is important to disclose all of your current medications to your doctor.
For example, the drug probenecid may increase amoxicillin levels in the blood. Thus, you may need to decrease the dose of amoxicillin if you take it simultaneously with probenecid.
Side effects of amoxicillin
- abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness.
- back, leg, or stomach pains.
- black, tarry stools.
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin.
- bloating.
- blood in the urine.
- bloody nose.
- chest pain.
The side effects of amoxicillin for ear infections are not as serious as you might think. They are usually mild and will not interfere with your treatment.
However, you should take this antibiotic as directed by your doctor and not miss a dose. It is important to take the full course of treatment so the bacterial infection is completely eradicated.
Other common side effects of amoxicillin include: dark urine, painful urination, nausea, and diarrhea. Some people may also experience headaches and unusual taste and smell.
In rare cases, amoxicillin can cause kidney damage. Patients with kidney problems should avoid this drug or get another type.
While you should not panic if you experience these side effects, you should make sure to seek medical care if you experience any of them. Thankfully, most of them are short-lived and disappear on their own after a few days.
In some cases, they may even disappear completely once the body has adapted to the medication. If you experience persistent diarrhea or other serious side effects, it is important to notify your doctor immediately.
Children who have an ear infection should not take antibiotics unless they are absolutely necessary. However, if the infection is severe and is persistent, it may require a course of antibiotics.
If you are given the antibiotic as prescribed, it is important that you follow the instructions exactly. If you do not finish the course of treatment, the bacteria may become resistant to the medication, which will increase your risk of recurring infections.
Cost of amoxicillin for an ear infection
Amoxicillin, a common antibiotic for ear infections, can be very expensive. If you don’t have health insurance, it can cost anywhere from $20 to $100 for seven days’ supply.
If you do have insurance, you can save money by using the copay option. Copays for ear infections are usually $5 to $50. Many insurance companies also cover the cost of the prescription.
The average cost of amoxicillin for ear infection depends on your insurance, how many pills you need, and your pharmacy’s prices. However, in general, the cost of twenty 500-mg capsules is around $12. In addition, you can save money by using prescription discount cards and coupons.
While amoxicillin is an affordable antibiotic, you may still need to find an alternative to it. While antibiotics are the most common medication given to children, a more expensive treatment is an epipen, an injection that’s used to treat severe allergic reactions.
One manufacturer recently increased the list price of the epipen to $608 for two pens. It’s worth remembering, however, that only 3.5 million prescriptions of epipen were written in 2014.
If you don’t have insurance, you may want to use a generic version. These drugs are often less expensive than their brand-name counterparts, and are often equally effective.
However, you should always check with your pharmacist to determine which one is best for you.
How Much Amoxicillin Should I Take For Ear Infection?
If you have an ear infection, antibiotics can be helpful for treating the infection. Amoxicillin is one of the most common antibiotics, and it works to get rid of most types of bacteria.
It’s generally prescribed for 10 days, and it usually starts working within the first day. You should take it exactly as directed or the infection may return.
How Long Does Amoxicillin Take to Work For Ear Infections?
When taking antibiotics for an ear infection, a medical professional will examine your ear with an otoscope to determine the cause.
If the infection is mild, you may only need antibiotics for a few days, while a more severe infection may require longer treatment.
In either case, it is important to remember that repeated antibiotic use may lead to antibiotic resistance.
