‘Must I take all my antibiotics?’ Why infectious disease experts are rethinking this longstanding rule

For decades, doctors have told patients to finish every prescribed course of antibiotics to prevent infections from returning and to stop bacteria from becoming resistant to the drugs.

This advice was widely promoted by organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

However, recent research suggests this strict rule may not be as necessary as once thought.

The idea that stopping antibiotics early leads to antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been challenged by scientists.

Instead, the focus is shifting toward using antibiotics only as long as needed to treat the infection effectively, balancing benefits and risks.

This change reflects a growing understanding that antibiotic resistance is driven more by overall antibiotic use than by incomplete courses.