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Is Azithromycin Better Than Doxycycline?
Question: I've been on an extended trip of almost three months to various countries in Southeast Asia, and, knock wood, have avoided contracting anything. However, over the past 6 days or so a sinus infection has settled in. This is a chronic problem for me, and though it usually passes after a week or so, sometimes it gets persistent enough to seek treatment. Amoxycillin always works. As I am completing my final travel, I happen to have on hand Azithromycin (prescribed for the possible event of traveler's diarrhea) and Doxycycline (in the event we ended up in malaria regions, which we didn't). So I'm considering taking one or the other for the sinusitis. The Azithromycin is a 3-tab treatment of 500mg/day. The Doxycycline is a longer-term treatment of 100mg tablets. Are either of these antibiotics appropriate for sinusitis, and if so which is preferable? I have no allergic reactions to antibiotics, and they always work well, but I avoid casual use out of concern for breeding resistance. In this case, given my history of sinusitis, it seems OK but I wanted to ask.
Brief Answer:
doxycycline is better
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Either antibiotic will cover the organisms that usually cause sinusitis, but often a longer course is needed since the sinus congestion makes it hard for the antibiotics to reach the target. I suggest that you take the doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 7-10 days.
Other things that will help are using nasal saline frequently and making sure you stay well hydrated. Taking extra vitamin C is often also helpful.
I hope you are better soon.
Dr. Robinson
doxycycline is better
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Either antibiotic will cover the organisms that usually cause sinusitis, but often a longer course is needed since the sinus congestion makes it hard for the antibiotics to reach the target. I suggest that you take the doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 7-10 days.
Other things that will help are using nasal saline frequently and making sure you stay well hydrated. Taking extra vitamin C is often also helpful.
I hope you are better soon.
Dr. Robinson
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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