What antibiotics are used for sinus infection?

Antibiotics that are commonly used to treat sinus infections include clarithromycin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin and cefprozil, according to WebMD. However, many sinus infections are caused by a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Acute sinusitis lasts fewer than four weeks, and chronic sinusitis lasts more than 12 weeks. Acute sinusitis that is caused by a bacterial infection normally responds well to antibiotic treatment. Chronic sinusitis is often more difficult to treat and sometimes requires patients to use more than one antibiotic. In some cases surgery is required to improve sinus drainage if the sinusitis does not clear up, states WebMD.