What are the key considerations for prescribing antibiotics to avoid resistance in primary care?

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 ¹.

Always undertake a clinical assessment and document the diagnosis, including symptoms, to justify antimicrobial use ¹.

Take microbiological samples before prescribing, especially in recurrent or persistent infections, and review results to guide appropriate prescribing ¹.

Support antimicrobial stewardship by promoting the use of recommended antimicrobials, avoiding unnecessary prescriptions, and reviewing prescribing patterns regularly ¹.

Consider the individual and population risk of antimicrobial resistance when deciding whether to prescribe ¹.

Encourage shared decision-making with patients, providing safety-netting advice and information on self-care, to reduce demand for antimicrobials for self-limiting conditions ².

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 ².