Shorter antibiotic courses often work as well as longer ones, new review finds

A review of more than 120 randomized trials shows shorter antibiotic courses are often as effective and safer than longer ones for many common infections, challenging the long-standing guidance to always finish the full course. The findings emphasize tailored clinician–patient communication to determine duration, note that many people still prefer longer courses due to prior guidance, and warn that some infections require longer treatment; results are published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases and more than 90% of surveyed US respondents trust their doctor.