Aust Prescr
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Intravenous antibiotics are overused in hospitals. Many infections can be managed with oral antibiotics Oral antibiotics avoid the adverse effects of intravenous administration. ⋯ There are guidelines to aid the clinician with the timing of the switch so that there is no loss of efficacy Infections that may be suitable for a short course of intravenous antibiotic include pneumonia, complicated urinary tract infections, certain intra-abdominal infections, Gram-negative bacteraemia, acute exacerbations of chronic lung disease, and skin and soft tissue infections Bone and joint infections and infective endocarditis are managed with prolonged courses of intravenous antibiotics. However, there is research looking at the feasibility of an earlier switch to oral antibiotics in these conditions
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Patients sometimes present to a medical practitioner with dental pain if they cannot see a dentist Doctors need to be aware of the common dental diseases that result in pain so they can help to manage the patient’s symptoms until they are able to see a dentist Appropriate advice regarding analgesics for dental pain is important. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are more effective in combination than either of them alone, with or without opioids Antibiotics are only indicated as an adjunct to dental treatment when there are signs of systemic involvement, progressive and rapid spread of infection, or when the patient is immunocompromised