Infection
Acute otitis media
Antibiotic Therapy (before prescribing, carefully read the Notes / Comments section below)

First line:

60% of cases resolve within 24 hours without antibiotics; consider a 2 or 3-day delayed antibiotic prescription.


Second line:

Amoxicillin oral 1g 8 hourly for 5 days 

or

Doxycycline oral 200mg stat, then 100mg once daily for 5 days

N.B. In pregnant patients, doxycycline is contraindicated. See here for an alternative option in penicillin allergic pregnant patients.

60% of cases resolve within 24 hours without antibiotics; consider a 2 or 3-day delayed antibiotic prescription.

Notes / Comments
  • Acute otitis media is characterised by unilateral ear ache and a bulging, inflamed tympanic membrane, and with fluid in the middle ear. It may result in perforation of the tympanic membrane, resulting in purulent discharge. 
  • Meningitis and mastoiditis are rare complications and if these are suspected the patient should be referred for inpatient treatment.
  • If there is purulent discharge in the ear canal, take a swab for culture.
  • Offer an immediate antibiotic prescription to patients with purulent otorrhoea.

 

 

Guideline reviewed February 2025
Page updated April 2025



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