Malignant Otitis Externa Medication

Updated: Feb 11, 2022
  • Author: Brian Nussenbaum, MD, FACS; Chief Editor: Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA  more...
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Medication

Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and prevent complications.

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Antibiotics

Class Summary

The choice of antimicrobial therapy and whether treatment can be delivered PO versus IV, as monotherapy, or on an outpatient basis need to be carefully individualized to each patient. Refer to Medical Care for further discussion of these issues.

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

A DNA gyrase inhibitor that prevents DNA replication.

Ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, Tazidime)

Third-generation cephalosporin that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by adhering to penicillin-binding proteins. Can be either bactericidal or bacteriostatic depending on the organism, tissue penetration, and drug dosage.

Ticarcillin/clavulanate (Timentin)

Extended-spectrum penicillin/beta-lactamase inhibitor. Ticarcillin binds to penicillin-binding proteins, thus inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Clavulanate binds irreversibly to beta-lactamases, thus preventing inactivation of ticarcillin.

Gentamicin (Garamycin, Jenamicin)

Binds to 30S ribosomal subunit, thus inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Aminoglycosides have bactericidal activity against P aeruginosa. Bacterial strains resistant to one aminoglycoside still may be sensitive to other antibiotics within this category.

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