[Progress in oral antibiotic therapy in practice]

Any antibiotic agent that improves the safety of antibiotic treatment means progress in the management of infectious diseases. A new antibiotic has to show the following properties in order to signify progress compared to the well established antibiotics: Better antibacterial activity, better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, which improve patient compliance. Reduction of costs for antibiotic treatment also means progress. Infections most frequently seen in outpatients who are usually treated with oral antibiotics are respiratory and urinary tract infections. Progress in the management of infectious diseases by the introduction of quinolones, combination of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, new macrolides and new oral cephalosporins is discussed.