Shorter antibiotic courses are becoming the norm—but that raises an important question we hear all the time:

Can patients stop antibiotics early once they start feeling better?

In this BONUS mailbag episode of Rumor vs Truth, we step outside our regular format to answer a single listener question submitted through our fan mail audio line. Hosts Don Weinberger, PharmD and Steve Small, PharmD revisit antimicrobial stewardship and bring back infectious‑diseases pharmacist Dr. Madeline King to break down what the evidence really tells us.

Together, they discuss:

Why antibiotic durations have shortened over time
Whether stopping early increases the risk of resistance
Why “feeling better” doesn’t always mean the infection is resolved
When stopping early might be reasonable—and why that decision should still come from the prescriber
How pharmacists and clinicians can frame these conversations with patients

No CE credit is available for this bonus episode.
CE credit is available for our full episode on antimicrobial stewardship.

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🎧 Related Episode (CE Available)

Rumor vs Truth: Antimicrobial Stewardship
(Are we overusing antibiotics?)
🎧Listen: https://rumorvstruth.buzzsprout.com/episodes/19034041
▶️ Watch: https://youtu.be/L8m1g9Tq6Sw

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts

Steve Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

Guest

Madeline King, PharmD, BCIDP

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Clinical Resources:

Toolbox: Antimicrobial Stewardship
FAQ: Antibiotic Therapy: When Are Shorter Courses Better?

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

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Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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