title: Treatment of otitis media.
abstract: Amoxicillin is the first-line drug for otitis media. Effective second-line drugs for resistant beta-lactamase-producing bacterial strains include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin-sulfisoxazole, cefaclor, cefuroxime axetil and cefixime. In choosing an antibiotic, the physician should consider proven efficacy, cost, side effect profile, compliance issues, spectrum of coverage and the age of the child. Children with recurrent infections may benefit from antibiotic prophylaxis. About 10 percent of children with episodes of acute otitis media develop a chronic middle ear effusion that persists beyond three months. Referral for insertion of tympanostomy tubes is most appropriate for patients with documented language delay and/or significant medical complications.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Kligman
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003663:Decision Trees; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents