Question

A 29 year old patient comes to the clinic complaining of headache, ear pain, and fatigue. Upon examination the nurse practitioner diagnoses the patient with acute otitis media. The patient has no known drug allergies. Which of the following medications is the first line treatment for acute otitis media for this patient?

a. Amoxicillin 500 mg PO TID for 5-7 days
b. Augmentin 500 mg PO TID for 5-7 days
c. Cefdinir (Omnicef) PO BID for 5 days
d. Levofloxacin (Levaquin) PO BID for 5 days

Answer 1

The first-line treatment for acute otitis media in a patient without drug allergies is amoxicillin 500 mg PO TID for 5-7 days.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first-line treatment for acute otitis media (AOM) in a patient without any known drug allergies is high-dose amoxicillin. Therefore, the correct answer is a. Amoxicillin 500 mg PO TID (three times a day) for 5-7 days. This antibiotic is commonly prescribed for ear infections due to its effectiveness against the typical bacteria that cause AOM, and it is generally well-tolerated. However, if symptoms persist or if there is treatment failure, alternatives such as macrolides or cephalosporins may be considered.