Which antibiotic is best for sinusitis?
Disease description:
My husband has long suffered from allergic rhinitis, and recently developed concurrent sinusitis with copious thick nasal discharge. His doctor recommended antibiotic therapy. Could you advise which antibiotic is most appropriate for treating sinusitis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xu Gang
For sinusitis, broad-spectrum antibiotics are the first-line treatment—particularly when the causative bacterial pathogen is not clearly identified. In such cases, cephalosporins or penicillins (with broad coverage) are commonly selected. However, if the patient has a drug allergy, macrolide antibiotics—such as roxithromycin or azithromycin—may be used instead. For sinusitis caused by anaerobic bacteria—which often co-occurs with odontogenic infection—metronidazole or tinidazole are appropriate choices; metronidazole is especially effective in controlling gingival disease.
