What is the best antibiotic to treat a sinus infection?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on March 31, 2025.
An acute sinus infection, also called sinusitis, is usually caused by a virus. Most cases of sinusitis clear up within 10 days. Antibiotics are not needed for acute viral sinusitis.
If a secondary bacterial infection should develop, one treatment of choice is amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin).
In patients who have severe allergy to penicillin-type drugs, doxycycline is a reasonable alternative.
Due to recent FDA warnings about joint pain and other issues with fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or levofloxacin (Levaquin), this class of drug should be avoided when possible for less serious infections. Antibiotic treatment should always be guided by your physician.
Read next
Is Doxycycline safe for dogs? Uses, dosage, side effects
Doxycycline is usually well tolerated and is considered safe for dogs. It is widely prescribed for a range of different conditions such as bacterial infections and oral gum disease. Continue reading
Doxycycline for STDs: Effectiveness, Dosage and Side Effects
Doxycycline is an antibiotic that can be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex to help prevent common bacterial STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). When doxycycline is used in this way it is called Doxy PEP (postexposure prophylaxis). Doxy PEP significantly protects against 3 STDs, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, in high-risk, sexually active adults. STDs may also be called sexually transmitted infections or STIs.
Continue reading
Should doxycycline be taken with food?
Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is used to treat many different bacterial infections and skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Different doxycycline products may have different instructions for how to take the medication. In general, most brands of doxycycline may be taken with food.
Continue readingSee also:
Aimovig
Learn about Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) a once-monthly, injectable medication that can be ...
Nurtec ODT
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is used to treat acute migraines and prevent episodic migraines, by ...
Botox
Botox is used cosmetically to reduce facial lines and wrinkles and for medical purposes for ...
Depakote
Depakote is used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Learn about side effects ...
Topamax
Topamax (topiramate) is used to prevent seizures in adults and children and to prevent migraine ...
Emgality
Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm) is a CGRP antagonist for the preventive treatment of migraine and for ...
Timolol
Timolol is used for angina, heart attack, high blood pressure, migraine, migraine prevention
Valproic acid
Valproic acid is used for bipolar disorder, cluster-tic syndrome, epilepsy, headache ...
Divalproex sodium
Divalproex sodium is used for bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, cyclothymic ...
Propranolol
Propranolol is a beta-blocker that is used to treat tremors, chest pain, high blood pressure, heart ...
Related medical questions
- What are the most common skin conditions? (with photos)
- Does doxycycline work for acne?
- What are the best antibiotics for pneumonia?
- Does Doxycycline make you tired?
- Can I take doxycycline for a strep throat?
- How long after stopping doxycycline can I drink alcohol?
- What causes black hairy tongue?
- What is doxycycline hyclate used for?
- How long does doxycycline stay in your body?
- Can I take doxycycline if I am allergic to penicillin?
- Can you smoke cigarettes or marijuana on doxycycline hyclate?
- Will it be harmful to take doxycycline with iron supplements?
- Is doxycycline hydrochloride 100mg a sulfa based drug?
- Does doxycycline cause kidney pain?
- What happens if antibiotics don’t work for UTI?
- How long does Cipro take to work?
- What are the best antibiotics for a boil?
- What medications can affect your taste or smell?
- How long does ciprofloxacin stay in your system when finished?
- What antibiotics are used to treat UTI?
- Ciprofloxacin - can you crush Cipro 500 tablets and mix with food?
- Can you drink alcohol while taking Augmentin?
- What do I need to know about Drug Interactions?
- Can Levaquin cause tendonitis?
Drug information
- Doxycycline (1,642 reviews)
- Ciprofloxacin (937 reviews)
- Augmentin (449 reviews)
- Levofloxacin (745 reviews)
Related support groups
- Doxycycline (134 questions, 254 members)
- Ciprofloxacin (56 questions, 133 members)
- Augmentin (31 questions, 78 members)
- Levofloxacin (27 questions, 80 members)
- Infections (617 questions, 993 members)
- Sinusitis (95 questions, 237 members)