GPs are being reminded it’s important to specify the required duration of antibiotic therapy as new labelling does away with the old ‘finish the course’ advice to patients.

Instructions on antibiotic packaging have changed this month with patients being advised to take the medication only for the number of days specified by their doctor.

Previously, the ‘cautionary advisory label’ recommended patients continue taking antibiotics until the end of the packet, which was in line with the approved product information.

The change follows good evidence that shorter courses are as effective as longer courses for some of the most common infections — including UTIs, bacterial sinusitis and acute pyelonephritis.