Stop antibiotics? Think twice!

Did you just skip antibiotics for a skin condition before you were halfway done with the dose? If yes, you are setting yourself up for an even stronger set of medications or a new skin infection.

Researchers measured antibiotic dosing by using medication containers fitted with electronic caps that reported when the patient opened the antibiotic container and found a large difference in patient reports and the electronic measurement. "These findings suggest that we need better methods to have patients receive antibiotics for skin infections, such as counseling them on importance of adhering to the dosage or by using newer antibiotics that require a once-weekly dosing," said Dr Loren G Miller, an LA BioMed lead researcher and corresponding author of the study published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy journal.

 The experts found that persons who were more likely to default treatment were those who were prescribed for more than one antibiotic after leaving hospital, did not see the same healthcare provider for follow-up visits or felt they did not have a regular healthcare provider.