US Pharm. 2012;37(3):11.
St. Louis, MO—Antibiotics typically prescribed for sinus infections are not better than placebo for reducing symptoms, according to a Washington University School of Medicine study of 166 patients. At any point from baseline to 28 days afterward, there was no difference in symptom improvement between patients receiving amoxicillin and those receiving placebo. Researchers suggested that, instead of giving antibiotics, clinicians should treat symptoms such as pain, congestion, and cough and employ watchful waiting to see whether further treatment is needed. “Patients don’t get better faster or have fewer symptoms when they get antibiotics,” said Jay F. Piccirillo, MD, senior study author. “Antibiotics aren’t necessary for a basic sinus infection—most people get better on their own.”
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