duration of antibiotic therapy

Complications

• little evidence that failing to complete a prescribed antibiotic course contributes to antibiotic resistance

Management

Minimum duration of antibiotic therapy & anticipated symptomatic improvement:

• general bacterial septicemia
  • duration: 2 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 1 1/2 weeks
• Staphylococcus aureus septicemia
  • duration: 3-6 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 1 1/2 weeks
• bacterial cellulitis
  • duration: 1 week
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 2 days
• bacterial septic arthritis
  • duration: 2 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 5 days
• post-Chlamydia arthritis
  • duration: 3 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 5 days
• bacterial meningitis (except tuberculosis)
  • duration: 2-3 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 2 days
• bacterial endocarditis
  • duration: 4-6 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 8 days
• bacterial prostatitis
  • duration: 4 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 5 days
• bacterial pneumonia
  • duration: 3 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 5 days
• uncomplicated urinary tract infection
  • duration: 1 week
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 3 days
• complicated urinary tract infection
  • duration: 2 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 6 days
• pharyngitis, otitis & sinusitis
  • duration: 10 days
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 4 days
• bacterial osteomyelitis
  • duration: 4-6 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 12 days
• abdominal abscess
  • duration: 2-4 weeks
  • anticipated symptomatic improvement: 5 days

Additional terms

• antibiotic therapy