Question I am the mother of a healthy two year old son who's family Dr recently prescribed Omnicef antibiotic therapy to treat an ear infection in his Lt ear. I gave the Omnicef (8ml's)once daily as prescribed and saw only a decline in his condition. Despite giving the antibiotic he spiked a temp four days into the antibiotic therapy (101.1) and I had to take him to the ER. The ER Dr stated that my son had bilateral otitis media and CROUP. The ER Dr gave my two year old son ROCEPHIN 750mg's IM and Dexamethasone IM and instructed me to stop the Omnicef. I gave Children's Tylenol COld and Cough for his sx as well. I called my son's family Dr and he stated to continue with the Omnicef despite being given the Rocephin. I am an LPN and have asked many of my "nurse freinds" and have been given mixed answers as to whether I should have continued with the Omnicef or not. I decided to not give the Omnicef d/t being afraid of thrush, yeast, diarrhea, etc...but I am also afraid of antibiotic resistant organisms. My son has an appt with an ENT on the 9th of March, but what shoud I do until then and why have I been given these conflicting instructions from otherwise good Dr's? I am confused and very concerned. PLease Help. Thank You So Much!
Answer Well, both answers are reasonable, so it's tough to decide. Omnicef is a very good antibiotic for ear infections, and the dose is probably about right for a two year old, although I can't tell for sure, as you didn't tell me his weight, or the strength of the Omnicef (it comes in 125mg or 250mg per teaspoon). Rocephin is a very good antibiotic, and a single dose will treat most simple ear infections. For that reason, he may not need the Omnicef, and if he did not improve with the Omnicef, the Rocephin may be all he needs. I would probably stop the Omnicef and see what happens.
BTW, neither antibiotic will help the croup, which is caused by a virus, but the dexamethasone should help.
