Antibiotics: why finishing the course still matters

Feeling better two or three days into a course of antibiotics is normal, and it is not the same as the infection being cleared. What you feel is the bacterial load dropping far enough for your symptoms to ease. The bacteria that survive longest are usually the ones least affected by the drug.

What happens if you stop early

You leave behind the hardiest population. If the infection returns it is more likely to be one that the same antibiotic no longer handles well, which means a second, often broader course.

What to do instead

• Take every dose, at roughly even intervals, until the pack is finished
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember, unless the next is nearly due
• Do not save leftovers for next time, and never take someone else's

When to come back to us

Speak to a pharmacist if you get a rash, severe diarrhoea, or if you feel no better after three days. Bring the pack with you.