Clinician’s Perspectives on the Use of Amoxicillin-clavulanic Acid in Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Related Bacterial Infections

Objective: To assess the clinical practice patterns, treatment preferences, and perceived efficacy of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination therapy among healthcare practitioners involved in the management of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and related bacterial infections among clinicians practicing across Indian settings. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed a structured 23-item questionnaire to gather expert opinion on the use of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in URTI and related bacterial infections. The survey explored various aspects such as clinical observations, physician preferences, and experiences with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in URTI and related bacterial infections. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The survey included 299 respondents. Around 83% of physicians identified lower RTI as the most common condition requiring antibiotic treatment. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was reported by 89% of respondents as the most frequently prescribed antibiotic for routine infections. A significant majority (78.93%) used amoxicillin 500 mg with clavulanic acid 125 mg tablets primarily for RTI. Furthermore, 88% of clinicians indicated that amoxicillin‑clavulanate is their preferred first‑line antibiotic for managing acute otitis media in children in outpatient care. For acute sinusitis, 83% recommended combination therapy that includes antimicrobials, nasal decongestants, and paracetamol. Diarrhea was cited by 76% of physicians as the most common side effect of the amoxicillin‑clavulanic acid combination, and 72% of the clinicians responded that probiotics were frequently recommended for management. Additionally, 66% of the experts rated the effectiveness of this antibiotic for treating URTIs as “excellent.” Conclusion: This study confirms that amoxicillin‑clavulanic acid is frequently and preferentially used to treat URTIs, including acute otitis media and sinusitis, and is considered a well‑tolerated and effective first‑line treatment in both adult and pediatric care. Physicians primarily rely on clinical factors when prescribing this medication, which is associated with high efficacy and rapid symptom relief. Although diarrhea is a common side effect, it is generally managed with probiotics.