How long does it usually take...

for antibiotics to start working, and for your infection symptoms to start going away?

I've always been told 12 to 24 hours.

At least a day, I'm sure.

24-48hrs. After 48 you generally are feeling better. Just make sure you finish your course, don't stop after you feel better.

Quoting Saffy Sly:" I've always been told 12 to 24 hours."

Damn, this smurf isn't working then. I started taking them on Friday and I still have the same symptoms. My mom told me it could possibly be the wrong antibiotic for the infection...idk.

Quoting K[♥ E&C]:" 24-48hrs. After 48 you generally are feeling better. Just make sure you finish your course, don't stop after you feel better."

Oh I know that lol. The bacteria can grow back if it isn't fully wiped out. The doctor wants me to take it for 2 weeks. Should I call tomorrow & tell them I have no change in my symptoms? Bleh...I really hope it works. I don't want surgery :|

Quoting ❥ Meℓi:" Oh I know that lol. The bacteria can grow back if it isn't fully wiped out. The doctor wants me to ... [snip!] ... Should I call tomorrow & tell them I have no change in my symptoms? Bleh...I really hope it works. I don't want surgery :|"

How long have you been on it and what are you on? It may be resistant to the bacteria if you're not noticing any changes.

Quoting K[♥ E&C]:" How long have you been on it and what are you on? It may be resistant to the bacteria if you're not noticing any changes."

I started taking it Friday. I am taking Cipro, ear drops & the pills. Ear drops 3 times a day & the pill twice a day.

We always told our patients 24 hours.

Quoting ♥ boop:" We always told our patients 24 hours."

Should I call & tell them I have no change tomorrow?

Quoting ❥ Meℓi:" I started taking it Friday. I am taking Cipro, ear drops & the pills. Ear drops 3 times a day & the pill twice a day."

If you have an ear infection & the antibiotics aren't working after two days, I'd go back. I have had chronic ear infections (2-4 a year) since I was a kid. They always try to give me amox, but I always end up having to go back for something else. Ask your doctor about Keflex... that stuff works for me EVERY TIME.

And if you're ears are so swollen shut that you can't get the medicine inside properly, you may need a wick inserted (it's a like a candle wick... they lube it & push it into the ear so that the medicine can travel down into the canal. It gets taken out once the swelling comes down).

Good luck! I know it's not fun  

Quoting ❥ Meℓi:" Should I call & tell them I have no change tomorrow?"

I would.

Quoting Daesey:" If you have an ear infection & the antibiotics aren't working after two days, I'd go back. I have ... [snip!] ... medicine can travel down into the canal. It gets taken out once the swelling comes down). Good luck! I know it's not fun  "

Oh I have had this ear infection for 6 months, nothing has been working. :\ I finally saw a new ENT doctor Friday because the other was a quack. Well he
told me I could possibly have Mastoiditis from it not being treated properly. He wants to do a CT scan to see where the infection has gone and he told me if the antibiotics didn't clear it up then I will need surgery & he will have to go in and get the infection out of my bone. :|

Quoting ❥ Meℓi:" Oh I have had this ear infection for 6 months, nothing has been working. :\ I finally saw a new ENT ... [snip!] ... antibiotics didn't clear it up then I will need surgery & he will have to go in and get the infection out of my bone. :|"

Oh smurf! Damn, girl! I swear, I think you just made my ears bleed! lol

They tried telling me I had TMJ problems not an ear infection b/c they were so recurrent, so I stopped going to the local clinic & got myself an ENT too. I've been battling one since October & think I've finally got it under control. Ask the doctor about Keflex --- it's really strong & has always helped me, so now I make sure I ask for it