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Antibiotics in sinusitis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The following antibiotics are recommended for the treatment of acute sinusitis:

  • for adults aged 18 years and over
    • first choice
      • Phenoxymethylpenicillin - 500 mg four times a day for 5 days
    • first choice if systemically very unwell, symptoms and signs of a more serious illness or condition, or at high risk of complications
      • Co-amoxiclav - 500/125 mg three times a day for 5 days
    • alternative first choices for penicillin allergy or intolerance
      • Doxycycline - 200 mg on first day, then 100 mg once a day for 4 days (5-day course in total)
      • Clarithromycin - 500 mg twice a day for 5 days
      • Erythromycin (in pregnancy) - 250 mg to 500 mg four times a day or 500 mg to 1000 mg twice a day for 5 days
    • second choice (worsening symptoms on first choice taken for at least 2 to 3 days)
      • Co-amoxiclav - 500/125 mg three times a day for 5 days
        • if co-amoxiclav has been used as first choice, consult local microbiologist for advice on second choice
    • alternative second choice for penicillin allergy or intolerance, or worsening symptoms on second choice taken for at least 2 to 3 days
      • consult local microbiologist
  • for children and young people under 18 years
    • first choice
      • Phenoxymethylpenicillin
        • 1 to 11 months, 62.5 mg four times a day for 5 days
        • 1 to 5 years, 125 mg four times a day for 5 days
        • 6 to 11 years, 250 mg four times a day for 5 days
        • 12 to 17 years, 500 mg four times a day for 5 days
    • first choice if systemically very unwell, symptoms and signs of a more serious illness or condition, or at high risk of complications
      • Co-amoxiclav
        • 1 to 11 months, 0.25 ml/kg of 125/31 suspension three times a day for 5 days
        • 1 to 5 years, 5 ml of 125/31 suspension three times a day or 0.25 ml/kg of 125/31 suspension three times a day for 5 days
        • 6 to 11 years, 5 ml of 250/62 suspension three times a day or 0.15 ml/kg of 250/62 suspension three times a day for 5 days
        • 12 to 17 years, 250/125 mg three times a day or 500/125 mg three times a day for 5 days
    • alternative first choice for penicillin allergy or intolerance
      • Clarithromycin
        • Under 8 kg, 7.5 mg/kg twice a day for 5 days
        • 8 to 11 kg, 62.5 mg twice a day for 5 days
        • 12 to 19 kg, 125 mg twice a day for 5 days
        • 20 to 29 kg, 187.5 mg twice a day for 5 days
        • 30 to 40 kg, 250 mg twice a day for 5 days
        • 12 to 17 years, 250 mg twice a day or 500 mg twice a day for 5 days
      • Doxycycline
        • is contraindicated in children under 12 years
        • 12 to 17 years, 200 mg on first day, then 100 mg once a day for 4 days (5-day course in total)
    • second choice (worsening symptoms on first choice taken for at least 2 to 3 days)
      • Co-amoxiclav - as above
        • If co-amoxiclav used as first choice, consult local microbiologist for advice on second choice
    • alternative second choice for penicillin allergy or intolerance, or worsening symptoms on second choice taken for at least 2 to 3 days
      • consult local microbiologist

Reference:

  1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2017. Sinusitis (acute): antimicrobial prescribing
  2. Public Health England (June 2021). Managing common infections: guidance for primary care

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