Comments on: Antibiotics Overprescribed for Sinus Infections

By: marion

marion — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 03:49:00 +0000

Well, I figured I should leave the Biaxin for the people who really need it. (Initially I got prescribed milder antibiotics, but after the infections started sticking around longer…)

By: Walter

Walter — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 03:35:39 +0000

All the studies I’ve read review the efficacy of azelastine (brand name Astelin) in the management of seasonal allergic rhinitis, not sinusitis. However, some doctors treating sinusitis do recommend antihistamines to dry out the sinuses and make it easier to breathe. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if future studies evaluate combination therapies like yours. I’m glad to hear you’ve found something that works!

By: marion

marion — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 22:31:47 +0000

Heh. I know this is a small point, but I laughed when I saw the bit about patients wanting antibiotics for sinus congestion…because, in my experience, I NEVER got unbearable sinus congestion with any of my (many) bacterial sinus infections. Now, the other symptoms – i.e. the sinus pain, inflammation, ear pain, “slushy” feeling in the sinuses etc. – were nasty, but I could generally still breathe through my nose…it just hurt to do so. Whereas I always get a stuffy nose when I get a cold or other viral infection.

Any study at all in the effectiveness of Astelin in dealing with chronic sinusitis? I single that out because it’s a new nasal antihistamine that apparently can be used indefinitely, or so my allergist tells me. Between that and Rhinocort (steroid spray), my frequent sinus infections are gone, gone, gone.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:43:44 +0000

I get sinus infections all the time. The most recent one lasted over seven weeks. When I finally visited a specialist, he found that I have a deviated septum. This could also be causing many cases of chronic sinusitis.

By: Flea: Twinkie-the-Kid

Flea: Twinkie-the-Kid — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 02:19:51 +0000

[...] Newcomer Walter at Highlight Health contributes this post on antibiotic over-prescription in acute sinusitis. Flea wonders how much more evidence is required for his colleagues to stop prescribing antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections. [...]

By: Pediatric Grand Rounds: Vol 1 Issue 25 | Musings of a Distractible Mind

Pediatric Grand Rounds: Vol 1 Issue 25 | Musings of a Distractible Mind — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 22:46:57 +0000

[...] Walter at Highlight Health uses a recent report on the over-use of antibiotics and under-use of nasal steroids in sinusitis to give a very good overview of the proper treatment of this condition. [...]

By: Musings of a Distractible Mind » Blog Archive » Pediatric Grand Rounds: Vol 1 Issue 25

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:07:15 +0000