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Do not antibiotics have to be taken that long?
Surely most people have heard before that treatment with antibiotics should definitely be done to the end. But researchers now found that prematurely stopping the medication at the time when the patients feel better certainly seems more meaningful.
Researchers at the Brighton and Sussex medical school found that antibiotic treatments can be stopped prematurely when patients feel better. So far, the idea was that treatment with antibiotics must necessarily continue until the end of the prescription period, also to avoid the development of resistant pathogens. The physicians published their failing results in the journal "British Medical Journal".
So far, the assumption has been that treatments with antibiotics must be continued to the end, because too short a dose can lead to a resistance of the bacteria. Physicians now found out that this idea does not correspond to reality. (Image: CrazyCloud / fotolia.com) Does too short intake of antibiotics mutate the bacteria?
So far, when taking antibiotics was the rule that treatment is only completed when all prescribed tablets were taken. Doctors advised against stopping prematurely, even if those affected already feel better. The previous thesis was based on the assumption that taking too few antibiotics can mutate the bacteria and make them resistant to the drug, the doctors explain.
Taking too long antibiotics increases the resistance of the bacteria
The assumption that early termination of antibiotic treatment promotes antibiotic resistance is not supported by scientific evidence, say the experts. However, taking too long antibiotics may increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, explains author Professor Martin Llewelyn.
In some diseases, too short intake of antibiotics promotes resistance
In fact, there are some diseases where the bacteria can become resistant if the medication is not taken long enough. The most obvious example of this is tuberculosis, explain the experts. Most diseases, however, are caused by bacteria that are on the skin of humans. Normally, these bacteria, such as E. coli or Staphylococcus aureus, do not cause harm, but people can get sick of them when the bacteria enter the bloodstream or the gut. The longer such bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, the more likely it is that resistance will develop, the researchers say.
Treatments with antibiotics vary from patient to patient
There is too little research on the ideal length of treatment with antibiotics, the experts explain. Such a treatment varies from person to person and also depends on taking antibiotics in the past, say the doctors.
Evidence of a long duration of therapy is very weak
It is possible in hospitals to determine when treatment with antibiotics can be stopped. If repeated tests in hospitals are not possible, patients may be advised to stop treatment when they feel better, study authors explain. The current study supports the idea that antibiotics should be used more sparingly in the future. Explicitly, the researchers point out that the scientific arguments for the meaning of a long duration of therapy are at best weak. Shortening the duration of treatment, however, may make antibiotic resistance much less likely, the researchers explain.
Critics: Symptom improvement does not guarantee a guaranteed eradication of the infection
However, some critics are concerned. The recommended length of antibiotic treatments is not accidental. Many physicians see a danger in patients being advised to stop their treatment as soon as they feel better. Because improving the symptoms does not necessarily mean that the infection has been completely eliminated. (As)