Otitis media, acute

Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Grampian, Orkney & Shetland
NHS Grampian

Micro Organisms

Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Group A Streptococcus

Duration

5 days

Notes

Therapy

  • AVOID antibiotics as 60% of patients are better in 24 hours without; they only reduce pain at 2 days (NNT 15) and do not prevent deafness.
  • Optimise analgesia.
  • Send aspirate or exudates if drum is perforated

Notes:

First Line

Therapy

Oral Amoxicillin 500mg – 1g 8 hourly

Notes:

Penicillin Allergy

Therapy

Oral Clarithromycin 500mg 12 hourly

Notes: