Brief: When should you use anti-infective drugs?

This Summary is an adaptation of the Clinical Info on Medical Emergencies provided by the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA)

Consider the following when prescribing antibiotics:

• Use only when there is an indication.
• Use only when the risk-benefit ratio is favourable.
• They are not a substitute for establishing adequate drainage.
• Choose an effective agent with the narrowest spectrum of activity.
• Prescribe a therapeutic dose and consider a loading dose.
• Prescribe at an appropriate frequency and for an appropriate duration.
• Choose the drug with the fewest side effects.
• Consider laboratory culture and sensitivity tests to target specific bacteria with antibiotics identified as effective.
• Recognize that antibiotics encourage development of resistance, if used for a long duration and/or at suboptimal doses.
• In superficial infections, consider alternatives to antibiotics, such as topical debridement and application of topical antiseptics when appropriate.
• Consider individual patient factors, such as age, allergies and drug interactions, especially with azole antifungals (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole), clarithromycin, erythromycin, metronidazole, tetracyclines; consult individual product monographs and drug interaction references.
• Consider cost.

Antibacterial Dosages for Orofacial Infections.

 

Antifungals for the Treatment of Oral Candidiasis

 

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