When an illness is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics are used to fight them and prevent further harm. Antibiotic regimens are very important to the treatment process. The types of medications and the time needed to be effective have been extensively studied and examined to determine what will provide the best outcome. Many common illnesses, such as strep throat and ear infections, respond quickly to treatment and cause the user to feel better before the regimen is completed. This can lead to other issues if doses are skipped or not completed.

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to finish a prescribed course of antibiotics. If the proper dosage is not taken for the proper amount of time, the targeted bacteria may not be adequately treated and may lead to re-infection and/or resistance. There is a good chance that the remaining germs may multiply and spread or evolve with properties that are more difficult to treat. This can result in the person getting sick again with bacteria that are more harmful and may need stronger drugs and/or a longer course of therapy. A concern that arises with the change in medication is the cost. As treatment becomes complicated, more expensive drugs may need to be used.

There are some key recommendations to follow in order to avoid these problems.