Ebook: Antibiotics - Choices for Common Infections 2013 Edition (BPAC NZ)

Increasing antimicrobial resistance is now a worldwide problem, compounded by the lack of development of new antimicrobial medicines. This leaves the prudent use of antimicrobial medicines, along with infection control, as the major strategies to counter this emerging threat.
A safe and effective strategy for antibiotic use involves prescribing an antibiotic only when it is needed and selecting an appropriate and effective medicine at the recommended dose, with the narrowest spectrum of antimicrobial activity, fewest adverse effects and lowest cost.
General principles of antibiotic prescribing:
1. Only prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections if:
■ Symptoms are significant or severe
■ There is a high risk of complications
■ The infection is not resolving or is unlikely to resolve
2. Use first-line antibiotics first
3. Reserve broad spectrum antibiotics for indicated conditions only
The following information is a consensus guide. It is intended to aid selection of an appropriate antibiotic for typical patients with infections commonly seen in general practice. Individual patient circumstances and local resistance patterns may alter treatment choices.
Subsidy information for medicines has not been included in the guide as this is subject to change. Fully-subsidised medicines should be prescribed as first-line choices, where possible. To check the subsidy status of a medicine see the New Zealand Formulary at: www.nzformulary.org or the Pharmaceutical Schedule online at: www.pharmac.health.nz Data on national resistance patterns are available from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR), Public Health Surveillance: www.surv.esr.cri.nz
Regional resistance patterns may vary slightly, check with your local laboratory.
The information in this guide is correct as at the time of publication (July, 2013).
For an electronic version of this guide see:
www.bpac.org.nz/antibiotics

The information in this publication is specifically designed to address conditions and requirements in New Zealand and no other country. BPAC NZ Limited assumes no responsibility for action or inaction by any other party based on the information found in this publication and readers are urged to seek appropriate professional advice before taking any steps in reliance on this information.