Simply put, 7 – 10 days is the “Goldilocks number”: It's not so brief a span that the bacterial infection will shake it off, but it's also not long enough to cause an adverse reaction.
If an antibiotic is prescribed for a clear indication, and a minimum duration is supported by evidence-based guidance, patients should be advised not to stop treatment until the end of the course.
So why is it that your doctor recommends finishing your course of antibiotics? It's because taking them regularly until the prescription is complete helps ensure that all of the illness-causing bacteria are killed or prevented from multiplying.
A duration of 5–7 days of antibiotics is recommended in adults. This is supported by a systematic review showing no significant difference in outcomes between 3–7 days of antibiotics compared to 7 days or longer. 16 For children with non-severe pneumonia there is no difference between 3 versus 5 days of antibiotics.
“Shorter courses of three to seven days are proven to be just as effective as longer, traditional courses, and can have less harmful side effects,” says Rachel Kenney, Pharm. D., a Henry Ford pharmacist who is co-leading an initiative under the health system's Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.
Even if you are not feeling sick, the bacteria may still be present in your body, and you could start feeling sick again if you stop your antibiotic early. Another problem that may occur if you stop your antibiotic earlier than prescribed is antibiotic resistance.
If you have been fever-free for 24 to 48 hours and are feeling significantly better, "it's reasonable to call your doctor and ask if you can stop your antibiotic," she says. And be reassured that "stopping short of a full course of antibiotics won't worsen the problem of antibiotic resistance," Peto says.
The usual dose of amoxicillin capsules in adults is 500 mg or 1000 mg 3 times a day. Your doctor will advise you how long to take amoxicillin for (usually 3–7 days). For most infections, you should feel better within a few days. Always take your amoxicillin exactly as your doctor has told you.
According to the Infectious Disease Society of America's guidelines, the duration of treatment for bacterial infections should be 5 to 10 days.
Good news: You might be able to shorten the time you take antibiotics. For decades, doctors have advised patients to take the drugs for at least a week or two, even if they feel better after just a few days.
Don't: Take antibiotics with milk or fruit juice
These products can interact with antibiotics and affect how your body absorbs them. Be careful with grapefruit and citrus juices, and wait at least three hours after taking your prescription before consuming dairy products.
Taking antibiotics responsibly
But you need to take the full treatment to kill the disease-causing bacteria. If you don't take an antibiotic as prescribed, you may need to start treatment again later. If you stop taking it, it can also promote the spread of antibiotic-resistant properties among harmful bacteria.
Typical dosage: One 500-mg or 875-mg tablet every 12 hours, or one 250-mg or 500-mg tablet every 8 hours. Treatment length: Usually seven days.
It depends what you have been given antibiotics for. Gilbert says that stopping them prematurely will not directly increase the risk of resistance – that more commonly happens with prolonged treatment on suboptimal doses. In many cases, she says, our bodies can mop up any leftover bacteria.
Simply put, 7 – 10 days is the “Goldilocks number”: It's not so brief a span that the bacterial infection will shake it off, but it's also not long enough to cause an adverse reaction.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 3 day course; guidelines across Europe vary between 5 and 10 days.
Findings from one 2022 clinical research trial suggested that a short course of Amoxicillin (5 days) was just as effective as a longer course (10 days) for uncomplicated commonly acquired pneumonia in children under 10 years old. Antibiotics like amoxicillin need time to clear bacteria out of your body.
If you're all well in three days, stop then. If you're not completely well, take it a little longer. But as soon as you feel fine, stop.
This is calculated by counting each antibiotic that each resident/patient is prescribed. Example: A 7-day course of amoxicillin (one antibiotic) equals 7 antibiotic days. If a resident/patient is prescribed a 7-day course of ceftriaxone plus azithromycin (two antibiotics) then that course equals 14 antibiotic days.
The most common side effects of amoxicillin are feeling sick (nausea) and diarrhoea. Liquid amoxicillin can stain your teeth. This does not last and is removed by brushing. You can drink alcohol while taking amoxicillin.
That depends on how long it takes you to realize your mistake. “If you are a few hours late in taking your antibiotic, take it as soon as you remember,” advises Dr. Egloff-Du. “But if your next dose is due soon, do not double up.”
You're usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, but this time period can sometimes vary. For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longer to absorb them, or if you're taking other medicine that interacts with the antibiotics.
Even if you can exercise on antibiotics, it doesn't mean you should. Although exercise is a great way to boost your immune system, Dr. Scott says that resting while you're being treated for an infection is also a great time to take a break…and that you'll usually get better faster if you rest.
Generally, yes. Antibiotics are incredibly efficient at helping fight off diseases. Like any medication or medical procedure, taking risks and benefits are associated with taking them. While fatigue, drowsiness and sleepiness aren't widespread effects of antibiotics, some can cause more severe side effects.