Topical antibiotics: therapeutic value or ecologic mischief?
Based on antibiotic prescribing data from 2003, dermatologists account annually for 8-9 million prescriptions for oral antibiotics, and 3-4 million prescriptions for topical antibiotics. Overall, much of the emphasis on concerns related to emergence of clinically significant antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains focuses on use of systemic antibiotics, however, topical antibiotic use may also have potential implications. The following article discusses the perspectives of the authors related to the potential therapeutic benefits and ecologic implications ("ecologic mischief") of topical antibiotic therapy for specific indications encountered in ambulatory dermatology practice.
Valley Hospital Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. jqdelrosso@yahoo.com
James Q
JQ
Del Rosso
Grace K
GK
Kim
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D003880:Dermatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents