Choice of antibiotic formulations

Like all other medicines, antibiotics are generally available in a wide variety of formulations, and often manufactured by different countries. It is important to choose the right one for the right patient.

In many countries, information about registered medicines is held in online databases. For example, the Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] contains detailed information about all medicinal products that are registered for use in the UK, including pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties, contraindications (including side-effects), and dosing. You can also see the summary information that is available on the patient information leaflets.

If you would like to explore the EMC further, you might like to look briefly at the entry for nitrofurantoin, an antibiotic that is now often prescribed for urinary tract infections (UTIs), as an example. Increasing use of this antibiotic is driven by resistance to others that have been commonly used for these infections, such as fluoroquinolones. You will see a wide range of different formulations and dosing regimens for oral delivery.