Study Should antibiotics really be taken until the end of the pack?

Antibiotics can be taken shorter in many cases

Although the general rule of thumb for drug intake is "as short as possible, as long as necessary", antibiotics are an exception. The funds are to be taken according to current opinion usually until the end of the pack. But now there is more and more evidence that a shorter time to take antibiotics is just as effective.

Responsible use of antibiotics

Although the number of antibiotic resistances continues to rise and is repeatedly called upon not to use such drugs in large numbers, medics in Germany prescribe antibiotics according to a study, often only on suspicion. In addition, such funds are used against diseases for which they are completely ineffective. And as another problem, it has long been considered that antibiotics are not taken long enough. But now there is increasing evidence that a shorter intake is often just as effective.

For a long time, the rule was to take antibiotics until the pack was used up. But now there are increasing indications that a shorter intake is just as effective. (Image: denisismagilov / fotolia.com)

Less resistant pathogens through shorter therapy

Although it is said again and again that an antibiotic even after the disappearance of the symptoms and always "until the end of the pack to take" is.

However, in recent years, studies have come to the conclusion that antibiotics do not have to be taken too long in various infections.

This is indicated by the German Society for Infectious Diseases (DGI).

A shorter therapy also has the advantage that less resistant pathogens arise.

And this is indeed beneficial. After all, such resistances must be resolutely combated as effective antibiotics become increasingly scarce globally.

"For many years it has been assumed that prolonged antibiotic therapy reduces the likelihood of a return of the infection or the development of resistance," said DGI Chairman Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Fätkenheuer.

"The idea behind it was to kill as many of the disease-causing bacteria as possible. Today we know that the longer the bacteria are exposed to the selection pressure of an antimicrobial agent, the more likely they are to survive predominantly resistant agents that are insensitive to the agent, "says the physician.

Do not simply stop antibiotics

However, antibiotics should not be stopped when the symptoms are gone. It depends on the type of disease, its severity, the individual course and the type of bacteria, how long an antibiotic must be taken.

"With a urinary tract infection, it may sometimes be sufficient to take the medication for one day," says Fätkenheuer.

"In the case of a severe infection with staphylococci on the other hand, sufferers often have to take antibiotics for several weeks. For example, too short a therapy could lead to complications and resistance. "

As short as possible, as long as necessary

A royal road in dealing with antibiotics does not exist. In which cases an agent can be discontinued as soon as the symptoms have subsided, and in which cases not, only a doctor can decide.

The DGI therefore advises affected patients not to omit the drug on their own initiative and also to make sure that they do not interrupt the therapy or forget about doses.

"A doctor ideally sets a length of use, which is specifically tailored to the particular infection and its expected course," Fätkenheuer said.

If the symptoms heal prematurely or if the medication fails, the patient should contact the doctor and discuss the procedure with him.

"As with any other medicine, antibiotics also work: they should be taken as short as possible, but as long as necessary." (Ad)