How long do antibiotics take to kick in?

[Lollypolly]

I went to the doc yesterday with pretty painful earache. As he couldn't see the eardrum due to a swollen ear canal, we prescribed antibiotic tablets - amoxycillin 500mg - to be taken 3 times a day for 7 days. I've had 5 doses now but no improvement. Sitting here in pain, popping panadol. When can I expect to feel better?

I was told recently that antibiotics are not routinely prescribed for children's ear infections in Australia any more because they only reduce the infection duration by 1-2 days at most (so from 4-5 days, down to 3-4).

maybe tomorrow you'll feel better - but I woudl take a better painkiller if you can, with an anti-inflammatory - like ibuprofen or aspirin. Panadol isn't going to reduce the inflammation as it's not an anti-inflammatory.

Thanks thumbwitch - will look out for ibuprofen tomorrow

Hope you're feeling better today, Lollypolly!