Should you finish a course of antibiotics?

[Northerner]

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 not enough evidence to back the idea that stopping pills early encourages antibiotic resistance.

Instead, they suggest, more studies need to be done to see if other strategies - such as stopping once feeling better - can help cut antibiotic use.

But GPs urge people not to change their behaviour in the face of one study.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40731465

 

[Robin]

I was reading about this earlier, we were all brought up with the mantra, 'finish the course or else you're condemning the world to antibiotic resistance' Now they seem to be saying, finish the course and you allow all sorts of other bacteria on the skin and in the gut to gain resistance.

 

[mikeyB]

I've yet to meet a doctor who completed a course of antibiotics. By and large, once you feel better, your own body can finish the job. But this doesn't apply to folk with shabby immune systems, or are taking steroids.