E-drug: Re: Antibiotic prescribing (3)
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The original 10 day treatment course comes from the studies that were
conducted back in the 50's for the treatment of Group A Beta hemolytic
Streptococcal pharyngitis. I believe they looked at cure rates for strept
throat and length of therapy to prevent complications from strept. From
there it came what is considered the "gold standard" for treatment and thus
the tradition was started. It has only been in the last 10 years that
penicillin dose was changed from four time daily to three and even twice
daily for this diagnosis. So, if you look at the current studies, I believe
that the tradition continues except for minor variations.
Bill Boyce
Director of Pharmacy Student Health Center
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon, USA
boycer@open.org
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