Antibiotic Stewardship Program Perspective: Oral Antibiotic Therapy for Common Infectious Diseases

Traditionally, initial antibiotic therapy was administered intravenously (IV). Over the past 3 decades, there has been increased understanding, appreciation, and application of pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) principles in antibiotic therapy. The utilization of PK/PD parameters as applied to antimicrobial therapy has led to optimizing dosage regimens as well as increased awareness and experience with oral versus antibiotic therapy. When an oral antibiotic, given at the same dose as its IV formulation, results in the same serum/tissue levels, then oral antibiotics should be used whenever possible. When chosen carefully, oral therapy provides many benefits over IV therapy.