Antibiotic guidelines for primary care

  • See the Primary Care Empirical Antibiotic Guidelines for further information.
  • The doses recommended below are based on normal renal/hepatic function.
  • See the BNF and Renal Drug Handbook for dose adjustments in renal/hepatic impairment.
  • Follow the antibiotic guidelines and discuss with Microbiology/ID if unsure.
  • Take microbiology samples BEFORE giving antibiotics.
  • Document the indication and proposed duration of therapy to avoid unnecessarily prolonged prescription.
  • Confirm the nature of a drug allergy with the patient as it is often not a true allergy.