When prescribing antibiotics in primary care, consider following local or national guidelines to ensure the shortest effective course, appropriate dose, and route of administration to reduce unnecessary exposure and resistance development NICE NG15.
Always undertake a clinical assessment and document the diagnosis, including symptoms, to justify antimicrobial use NICE NG15.
Take microbiological samples before prescribing, especially in recurrent or persistent infections, and review results to guide appropriate prescribing NICE NG15.
Support antimicrobial stewardship by promoting the use of recommended antimicrobials, avoiding unnecessary prescriptions, and reviewing prescribing patterns regularly NICE NG15.
Consider the individual and population risk of antimicrobial resistance when deciding whether to prescribe NICE NG15.
Encourage shared decision-making with patients, providing safety-netting advice and information on self-care, to reduce demand for antimicrobials for self-limiting conditions NICE NG63.
Prescribers should avoid asking for antimicrobials for conditions where they are ineffective, such as viral infections, and discourage use as a preventive or standby measure NICE NG63.