Does Augmentin treat a sinus infection?

In this article:

• Augmentin for sinus infection
• How fast does it work?
• Augmentin vs. amoxicillin
• Best practices
• Alternatives
• The bottom line

In this article

• Augmentin for sinus infection
• How fast does it work?
• Augmentin vs. amoxicillin
• Best practices
• Alternatives
• The bottom line

When the hollow cavities in the skull known as the sinuses become inflamed and congested, you have a case of sinusitis on your hands, or in your head, more specifically. Symptoms often include facial pain, nasal congestion, thick, colored nasal discharge, headache, bad breath, fatigue, fever, and even tooth pain. Not every case of sinusitis should be treated with an antibiotic. While bacteria can cause inflammation and congestion in the sinuses, viruses are the most common cause of sinusitis, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). That makes it unnecessary to use antibiotics since they are only effective against bacterial infections.

However, sometimes mucus can build up in the blocked sinuses, leading to a secondary bacterial infection. That’s when an antibiotic may be needed. According to the AAFA, if the sinuses remain blocked for a long time, such as 10 days or more, a bacterial infection is more likely to develop. In that case, Augmentin could be just the ticket. Augmentin combines amoxicillin (a penicillin) with clavulanate potassium (a beta-lactamase inhibitor). Some suggest that it may be more effective than amoxicillin in treating antibiotic-resistant infections. 

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Is Augmentin good for sinus infections?

“This is actually a first-line medication, meaning often the first medicine of choice, when treating acute sinus infections,” says Uma Darji, MD, a family medicine provider in North Carolina. Augmentin is commonly used to treat respiratory tract, ear, and urinary tract infections.

Before prescribing Augmentin or any antibiotic, your healthcare provider will likely perform an exam and ask you about your symptoms, including the duration and severity of symptoms. Many sinus infections clear up on their own if you give them some time. 

“I typically treat when symptoms last longer than 10 days, or if symptoms worsen significantly after at least five days,” says Lori Solomon, MD, MPH, chair and associate professor of family and community medicine at New York Medical College.

Although more advanced diagnostic methods aren’t typically used to diagnose simple causes of acute sinusitis, in more serious cases, providers may obtain imaging of the sinus and nasal areas, perform a nasal endoscopy, or send nasal or sinus samples to the lab for analysis. 

RELATED: Augmentin generic: Availability, cost, and more

How fast does Augmentin work for a sinus infection?  

The question on most people’s minds when they start taking medication for a painful or annoying sinus infection is, “When will I feel better?”

“That is variable, but most patients are better in seven days,” Dr. Solomon says. 

The medication actually starts working even sooner than that, as soon as an hour after the first dose. “However, the patient will probably not notice a change in symptoms until three to five days later,” says Brian Laird, Pharm.D., MBA, pharmacy operations manager at OSF Healthcare in Urbana, Illinois. “Symptoms of a bacterial sinus infection are a combination of the bacteria’s effect on the person and the body’s immune system response to the bacteria.”

For that reason, you might also consider some other strategies to help you cope with the symptoms, such as irrigating or rinsing your sinuses with a saline solution, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or possibly using a decongestant. 

Augmentin vs. amoxicillin for sinus infection

Your healthcare provider may still choose to prescribe amoxicillin for a sinus infection. “Amoxicillin is reasonable for people with mild disease,” Dr. Solomon says. 

“Amoxicillin with clavulanate is more effective and generally used in more severe cases and in people who have conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, heart problems, or immunocompromised conditions,” adds Dr. Solomon. Clavulanate is like a “booster” to amoxicillin, notes Dr. Darji.

This ability to fight off infections caused by beta-lactamase-producing bacteria (such as Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis, which can cause sinusitis) makes Augmentin preferable to amoxicillin for treating some bacterial infections. “Clavulanate, while not an antibiotic itself, helps treat infections caused by bacteria resistant to amoxicillin,” Dr. Laird agrees. “Clavulanate blocks an enzyme bacteria use to break down amoxicillin. Without that enzyme, the bacteria are now susceptible to amoxicillin.”

What to know about Augmentin for sinus infection

When taking Augmentin, take it exactly as prescribed to get the best results. You don’t have to take it with food, but the manufacturer notes that taking it at the start of a meal enhances clavulanate absorption. 

Dosage

The typical adult dose is 500 mg to 875 mg twice daily for five to seven days. “For children, the dose is weight-based, meaning we calculate the dose based on the child’s current weight, and it is typically a lower dose,” explains Dr. Darji.

Experts stress a couple of good reasons you must take the entire course of antibiotics, even after you start feeling better.“First is to ensure the infection is completely gone. Without full treatment, the infection can come back after stopping the antibiotic,” Dr. Laird says. “Second, the potential for bacterial resistance to antibiotics increases with exposure without complete removal of the infection. If a person does not complete the entire course, there is a higher likelihood of complications.”

Side effects

As with any medication, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the possible side effects of Augmentin. “Side effects can be hard to predict,” notes Dr. Laird. 

The most common side effects are very similar to those of amoxicillin. These side effects tend to be mostly gastrointestinal in nature and include:

• Diarrhea
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting

These tend to be relatively mild and typically go away when you finish taking the antibiotic. However, more serious side effects are possible, too, such as an allergic reaction, severe diarrhea (known as C. diff–associated diarrhea), severe vomiting, severe skin reactions, and signs of liver problems, such as dark urine, light-colored stools, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. 

 “If the side effects are severe, and the patient is getting worse instead of better or having an allergic reaction, then the patient should call [their healthcare provider] right away,” Dr. Darji says. 

Interactions and precautions

Let your healthcare team know if you are taking any other medications (prescription or over-the-counter) or supplements, as some may be contraindicated when taking Augmentin. For example, several types of medication that may interact with Augmentin include methotrexate, allopurinol, anticoagulants, and probenecid.

Because Augmentin contains amoxicillin, a penicillin, no one with a known penicillin allergy should take Augmentin. They could develop symptoms of an allergic reaction, which include itching, hives, swelling of the face or tongue, shortness of breath, and fever.

Antibiotics like amoxicillin with clavulanate can also decrease the effectiveness of hormonal oral contraception, so let your healthcare provider know if you’re taking a birth control pill before you start taking an antibiotic. 

Additionally, Augmentin is not typically recommended for people with certain preexisting health conditions, such as certain kinds of liver disease and kidney disease, mononucleosis, and serious hypersensitivity reactions. 

Other antibiotics for sinus infections

If you have a known penicillin allergy, your healthcare provider might recommend an alternative antibiotic. 

• Macrolides, like Zithromax (azithromycin), clarithromycin, or erythromycin
• Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline
• Fluoroquinolones like moxifloxacin or levofloxacin
• Cephalosporins, such as Suprax (cefixime)

The bottom line

Augmentin can be a very effective treatment for a bacterial sinus infection when it’s not contraindicated by other medical conditions, allergies, or other medications that you’re taking. Anytime that you take a course of antibiotics, it’s important to take the entire course as prescribed. Not taking the entire course may contribute to the ongoing problem of antibiotic resistance.

However, if you notice any unusual symptoms or side effects, or if you think your sinus infection is getting worse instead of better, don’t just stop taking it on your own. Contact a healthcare professional and seek medical advice.