why antibiotic course should be completed

So why is it that your doctor recommends finishing your course of antibiotics? It's because taking them regularly until the prescription is complete helps ensure that all of the illness-causing bacteria are killed or prevented from multiplying. Even if your symptoms go away, the bacteria may still be present in your body.

Full Answer

Is completing the antibiotic course necessary?

These bacteria cells are also more often than not, resistant to the antibiotic now that they have survived mild doses of it. The condition too worsens once the disease relapses and with the bacteria now resistant to the antibiotic, curing the disease becomes all the more difficult. It is extremely important to complete an antibiotic course

Why do antibiotic treatment guidelines vary by patient level?

Jul 26, 2017 · It is time to reconsider the widespread advice that people should always complete an entire course of antibiotics, experts in the BMJ say. They argue there is …

How long should a course of antibiotics last?

Jul 27, 2017 · Because of the reduction in the number of bacteria causing the infection at this point, the inflammation at the site of infection reduces, which means you start to feel better quickly. But if at ...

Are shorter courses of antibiotics better?

Completing the antibiotic course has persisted because it is simple and unambiguous, despite evidence that suggests that stopping antibiotics sooner is a safe and effective way to reduce ...

Why is it important to finish a course of antibiotics?

What happens if antibiotic course is not completed?

Do you need to complete antibiotic course?

Is it OK to skip one antibiotic?

Can we repeat antibiotic course?

What are advantages of antibiotics?

Can antibiotics increase resistance?

Prof Martin Llewelyn, from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, together with colleagues, argues that using antibiotics for longer than necessary can increase the risk of resistance.

Who is Helen Stokes-Lampard?

They accept this idea would need more research. image copyright. Getty Images. Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, leader of the Royal College of General Practitioners, says while it is important to take new evidence into account, she "cannot advocate widespread behaviour change on the results of just one study".

Why is it important to reduce antibiotic use?

Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use is essential to mitigate antibiotic resistance and prevent overdose. Little evidence is available to support the theory that failing to complete a prescribed antibiotic course contributes to antibiotic resistance, researchers reported in the BMJ.

Does failing to complete antibiotics cause antibiotic resistance?

Little evidence is available to support the theory that failing to complete a prescribed antibiotic course contributes to antibiotic resistance, researchers reported in the BMJ.

Can antibiotics be used sparingly?

This brief but authoritative review supports the idea that antibiotics may be used more sparingly, pointing out that the evidence for a long duration of therapy is, at best, tenuous. Far from being irresponsible, shortening the duration of a course of antibiotics might make antibiotic resistance less likely ".

What happens if you stop taking antibiotics?

Most experts believe that if you stop taking an antibiotic part way through a course, the bacteria you're trying to get rid of can become resistant to the medication.

Is MRSA a growing problem?

Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem and in recent years, we have seen the emergence of many bacteria that are resistant to medication. You've likely heard of MRSA, for instance – this can cause serious (sometimes fatal) infections because the bug has become resistant to currently available antibiotics.

Can antibiotics cause coughs?

Most coughs and colds are caused by viruses and taking antibiotics unnecessarily is a main cause of antibiotic resistance.

Can MRSA be fatal?

You've likely heard of MRSA, for instance – this can cause serious (sometimes fatal) infections because the bug has become resistant to currently available antibiotics. Until now, the advice has always been to finish taking a prescribed course of antibiotics, even if you already feel better (unless a doctor tells you otherwise).

Rapid Response

The authors are to be congratulated on their courage in publishing this excellent discussion. The piece below was published in Clinical Medicine under the pseudonym 'Coegemus' in 1999. [1]

Should you complete your course of antibiotics?

The authors are to be congratulated on their courage in publishing this excellent discussion. The piece below was published in Clinical Medicine under the pseudonym 'Coegemus' in 1999. [1]