Vnitr Lek 2024, 70(5):284-288 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2024.057

Duration of antibiotic therapy of the most common bacterial infections

Marek Štefan

Klinika infekčních nemocí a cestovní medicíny 2. LF UK a FN Motol, Praha

The duration of antibiotic therapy is a controversial topic, as historically, recommendations for treatment duration were based on traditional concepts, empirical experience and concerns about the recurrence of inadequately treated infections. However, in the last few decades, a large amount of data has accumulated in the scientific literature, allowing for the safe shortening of antibiotic therapy duration for many bacterial infections. Compared to longer treatment regimens, shorter therapy duration has been shown in multiple randomized controlled trials to be equally effective, with the advantage of less antibiotic exposure, resulting in a lower risk of selecting for antibiotic resistance, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Nevertheless, the shortening of antibiotic therapy should not be approached universally, but individually, taking into account, among other things, the clinical condition of the patient and the dynamics of inflammatory markers.

Keywords: antibiotic therapy, duration of antibiotic therapy, bacterial infection, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, skin and soft tissue infections.

Accepted: August 28, 2024; Published: September 4, 2024  Show citation