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Antibiotic resistance and stewardship

Revisiting antibiotic use in New Zealand:
how does your prescribing compare?

Antibiotics are indispensable tools for managing bacterial infections that are unlikely to self-resolve. However, excessive and... View Article

June 2024

Navigating uncertainty: managing respiratory tract infections

With winter upon us, it is timely to reflect on antibiotic prescribing practices for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and associated... View Article

August 2019

Topical antibiotics: keep reducing use

Encouraging progress has been made by prescribers in New Zealand in reducing the use of topical antibiotics such as fusidic acid;... View Article

July 2018

Cold season: managing without antibiotics

For the majority of people with upper respiratory tract infections symptomatic treatment will offer better outcomes than antibiotics,... View Article

June 2018

Antibiotics: the future is short

In general, the recommended durations of antibiotic treatment regimens are decreasing as evidence for the safety and efficacy... View Article

June 2018

Antibiotic awareness week: a time to reflect on how we prescribe

This week (13th – 19th November) marks world antibiotic awareness week. View Article

November 2017

Antibiotics: choices for common infections

The following information is a consensus guide. It is intended to aid selection of an appropriate antibiotic for typical patients... View Article

July 2017

The bpacnz antibiotic guide: 2017 edition

The 2017 edition of the bpacnz antibiotics guide; "Antibiotics: choices for common infections", is now available online. There... View Article

July 2017

Topical antibiotics for skin infections: should they be prescribed at all?

Clinical indications for the use of topical antibiotics are continuing to narrow, driven by increasing resistance rates in New... View Article

February 2017

Topical antibiotics for skin infections: when are they appropriate?

In the community, many patients have skin and soft tissue infections that are relatively minor, e.g. scrapes and scratches or... View Article

February 2017

An update on the use of nitrofurantoin in patients with renal impairment

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom (UK) have updated their guidance to allow... View Article

October 2015

Amoxicillin clavulanate Update Report 2015

Amoxicillin clavulanate is a broad spectrum antibiotic which is used frequently in New Zealand general practice. Although the... View Article

September 2015

News Update

The Australasian Society of Infectious Diseases (ASID) annual scientific meeting | Discontinuation of topical erythromycin View Article

June 2015

Debate: Do you prescribe antibiotics for respiratory tract infections? An everyday conundrum in general practice

Appropriate prescribing of antibiotics for patients with respiratory tract infections (RTI) is a key component of improving antimicrobial... View Article

June 2015

Delayed antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections: does the strategy work?

Delayed antibiotic prescribing, also known as a “back pocket prescription”, is a strategy of providing a patient with a prescription... View Article

June 2015

Do probiotics provide effective and safe protection against antibiotic-associated adverse effects?

Sales of probiotic products in the community generate billions of dollars worldwide, yet many of the health claims made by the... View Article

June 2015

Is it ok to stop antibiotics when symptoms resolve?

Traditionally, clinicians and health authorities advocate that patients should complete their full course of antibiotics as prescribed,... View Article

June 2015

Upfront: Time to reduce antibiotic prescribing – NOW

Contributed by: Associate Professor Mark Thomas, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland. View Article

June 2015

Should I prescribe a topical antiseptic cream instead of a topical antibiotic for minor skin infections?

Increasing rates of resistance to topical antibiotics continues to change the use of these medicines in primary care. Topical... View Article

June 2015

The Year in Review - What did we learn in 2014?

In 2014 we published over 60 medical education articles in Best Practice Journal, spanning more than 450 pages. Context is crucial... View Article

February 2015

Topical antibiotics: very few indications for use

Topical antibiotics in general have been excessively used in New Zealand in recent years. The increasing prevalence of resistance... View Article

October 2014

Rising antimicrobial resistance

Associate Professor Mark Thomas from the University of Auckland, in conjunction with Dr Alesha Smith and Professor Murray Tilyard... View Article

June 2014

Upfront: Azithromycin: use it wisely

Growing use of azithromycin in New Zealand means that we are in danger of increasing bacterial resistance to macrolide antibiotics,... View Article

April 2014

Upfront: Antimicrobial Resistance in New Zealand: What is my role in primary care?

This month marks the launch of our 2013 revised edition of “Antibiotic choices for common infections”. The guidance supports the... View Article

August 2013

Antibiotics Guide

Tip: Bookmark this page or add to your home screen on your smartphone for your mobile pocket handbook View Article

July 2013

Upfront: Is the cupboard bare? The threat of antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats to health that we have faced in recent history. As the rate of resistance... View Article

June 2013

Appropriate use of amoxicillin clavulanate

Amoxicillin clavulanate is an important and effective medicine but its use must be reserved for specific indications in order... View Article

September 2011

Upfront: Antimicrobial resistance - the way forward

In this final article in the series on antimicrobial resistance, we look at the way foward. Lessons learned from international... View Article

February 2011

Antimicrobial resistance: where are we now?

This article reviews the data currently available, which enables interventions to be targeted towards issues which are local and... View Article

December 2010

ANTIMICROBIALS how should they be used in primary care?

Ideally antibiotics should be reserved for the treatment of known bacterial infection but it is well recognised that they are... View Article

October 2010

Upfront: Resistance to antimicrobials - an increasing problem in our community

The threat of multiple drug resistant organisms in New Zealand. The first article in a series on antimicrobial resistance. View Article

August 2010

Upfront: Confronting the conundrum: do you prescribe antibiotics for respiratory tract infections?

The June edition of Best Practice Journal (BPJ 68) was themed as an “Antibiotic Issue”. It is increasingly important that we focus... View Article

September 2015