Last-resort antibiotic
Short description
Last-resort antibiotics are antibiotics whose use should be reserved for specific situations, such as severe infections caused by resistant bacteria.
Synonyms
Reserve antibiotic
Antibiotic of last resort
Detailed description
Particularly, last-resort antibiotics are used when other suitable antibiotics are not an option due to resistance or other medical reasons. Which antibiotics are considered a last resort may depend on the specific pathogen, the infection, and current treatment guidelines. Their targeted and judicious use is intended to help preserve their effectiveness and limit the further spread of antibiotic resistance. Among other factors, the selection of an appropriate antibiotic depends on the pathogen, its resistance profile, the site of infection, and the patient’s health status.