Podcast #254: Myths About Antibiotic Course Length
Sep 20, 2017•5 min
Listen to this episode in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episode description
Author: Chris Holmes, M.D.
Educational Pearls
- There's little/no data about the necessary length of an antibiotic course, nor has it proven that stopping a course of antibiotics early selects for the most resistant bugs.
- There's little incentive for drug companies to fund this type of study.
- Pro-calcitonin levels have been used in some settings to distinguish if an infection has resolved or not, but this may not be feasible in an outpatient setting.
References: Llewelyn, Martin J et al. The antibiotic course has had its day. 2017. BMJ
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android