“Leftover” Antibiotics in the Medicine Cabinet
Authors: Sarah Ceaser, Rebecca Wurtz
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2000)

Letters4 July 2000“Leftover” Antibiotics in the Medicine CabinetSarah Ceaser, BA and Rebecca Wurtz, MD, MPHSarah Ceaser, BANorthwestern University; Evanston, IL 60201 (Ceaser, Wurtz)Search for more papers by this author and Rebecca Wurtz, MD, MPHNorthwestern University; Evanston, IL 60201 (Ceaser, Wurtz)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-133-1-200007040-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Microbial resistance to antibiotics is a growing concern. Inappropriate use contributes to resistance (1). We interviewed 101 randomly selected adults on a city street to determine how many would keep and reuse antibiotics if they did not complete a prescribed course. We asked, “Have you ever kept the remaining medication if you didn't complete an antibiotic prescription?” “Would you take the leftover antibiotic if you were sick, without first consulting a health care provider?” “Would you share this antibiotic with a family member or a friend?” Respondents who said yes to the first question were asked the ...References1. Bauchner H, Philipp B. Reducing inappropriate oral antibiotic use: a prescription for change. Pediatrics. 1998;102:142-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Adu-Sarkodie YA. Antimicrobial self medication in patients attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic. Int J STD AIDS. 1997;8:456-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Chretien JH, McGarvey M, deStwolinski A, Esswein JG. Abuse of antibiotics. A study of patients attending a university clinic. Arch Intern Med. 1975;135:1063-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Northwestern University; Evanston, IL 60201 (Ceaser, Wurtz) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited BySelf-Medication Practices among MBBS students in North Indian Medical CollegeAntibiotic Abuse: A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Among the University Students in Dhaka, BangladeshUse of Antibiotics Without a Prescription in the U.S. Population A Scoping ReviewLarissa Grigoryan, MD, PhD, George Germanos, MD, Roger Zoorob, MD, MPH, Shivanki Juneja, Jean L. Raphael, MD, MPH, Michael K. Paasche-Orlow, MD, MA, MPH, and Barbara W. Trautner, MD, PhDPilot Study on the Utility and Feasibility of a House-Call Checkup of the Medicine CabinetNon-prescription use of antibiotics among children in urban China: a cross-sectional survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practicesSelf-medication with antibiotics in Serbian households: a case for action?Pharmacists Views and Practices in Regard to Sales of Antibiotics Without a Prescription in Madinah, Saudi ArabiaAn Assessment of the Health Behaviors of Dorm Students in BangladeshStockpiling Drugs for an Avian Influenza Outbreak: Examining the Surge in Oseltamivir Prescriptions During Heightened Media Coverage of the Potential for a Worldwide PandemicSelf-medication with antibiotics in the ambulatory care setting within the Euro-Mediterranean region; results from the ARMed projectHome Medication Cabinets and Self-Medication: A Source of Potential Health Threats?A global survey of antibiotic leftovers in the outpatient settingThe 2005 Garrod Lecture: The changing access of patients to antibiotics – for better or worse?Self-medication with Antimicrobial Drugs in EuropeSelf-Medication with Antibiotics in a Swedish General PopulationEconomic Consequences of Unused Medications in Houston, TexasThe Inventory of Antibiotics in Russian Home Medicine Cabinets 4 July 2000Volume 133, Issue 1Page: 74KeywordsAntibiotic resistanceAntibioticsHealth care providersHealth surveysOutpatientsUrinary tract infections Issue Published: 4 July 2000 CopyrightCopyright © 2000 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...