A recent observational study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that oral antibiotics may be a safe alternative to prolonged intravenous (IV) antibiotics. The study analyzed data from 914 adults with uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia in Denmark and found that patients switched to oral antibiotics within 4 days had a lower risk of death compared to those who continued with IV antibiotics. The mortality rate was 14.3% in the prolonged IV treatment group compared to 6.9% in the oral antibiotics group. However, the study has limitations such as reliance on electronic health records and exclusion of complicated cases. The researchers suggest that early antibiotic stepdown treatment is comparable to receiving prolonged IV antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia.
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Switching From IV to Oral Antibiotics Safe, Study Shows
