Published on
For many common bacterial infections, shorter antibiotic durations are often as effective and safer than longer duration regimens. However, a national survey published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases found that most U.S. adults perceive longer antibiotic courses to be better despite the evidence. Researchers at the University of Utah surveyed 1,475 adults in March–April 2024 about antibiotic use for bacterial respiratory infections. Overall, 60.4% of patients answering the online survey said they preferred courses lasting at least 7 days rather than 3–5-day antibiotic regimens. Another 61.5% considered longer courses safer, and 63.0% believed longer courses were more effective. Additionally, 88.4% of patients believed they should always complete prescribed antibiotics even after symptoms improve, and 76.3% recalled receiving this advice from a healthcare professional. In the survey, 59.2% of patients expressed at least some comfort with clinician recommendations to discontinue antibiotics when symptoms improve, and 92.9% trusted clinicians’ advice about treatment duration. The authors concluded that clinicians can help patients accept shorter regimens when appropriate by explaining treatment decisions and emphasizing that antibiotic duration depends on the clinical circumstances.
New evidence: It’s clear the majority of patients may need some convincing when shorter antibiotic courses are best. But the good news is that recent literature continues to challenge the old-school antibiotic durations—some of which date back 50 years or more.