Oral versus Intravenous Antimicrobials for Serious Infections

Abstract

"There is a common belief among physicians and patients, that “intravenous (IV) antibiotics are better than oral antibiotics, they are stronger, they work faster”. However, for many infectious conditions, including serious infections, there is no conclusive evidence that IV antibiotics are superior to oral antibiotics. The bacteria also do not know how the antibiotic gets to the infection site 1. Additionally, IV antibiotics are not a panacea without downsides. IV antibiotics are associated with prolonged hospital stays; they may be associated with more adverse events and higher costs. The line needed for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) can complicate in 22% of cases, with almost half of them requiring emergency department visit or hospital admission 2."